: Chapter 2

‘Look who’s checking who out now,’ I say, shifting away from him and crossing my arms over my breast.

‘You got me. The only difference between you and me is that I’d admit to checking out someone I find attractive. You clearly won’t,” he banters.

This guy, who I have not even learned the name of, is bolder than any man I have encountered. Confident also, too confident.

I stand up, ignoring the pounding in my head and the pain in my throat from my dry throat. God, I need to get the hell out of here.

‘Thanks, but I pass.’ I breathe out, long, deep breaths following. Breathe in through the nose, breathe out through the mouth. Simple, Raelynn.

He stands up and stands opposite me, tilting his head. How is his face just so— ‘Pass on what?’

I look at him—with more of a glare. His brows are thick but maintained, and they’re drawn together. If I don’t exit this elevator in the next minute, my parents are going to have to meet my corpse.

I wave a hand around between us, dismissing him. ‘Your sad attempt at hitting on me. I pass.’ I smile bitterly.

He barks out a laugh, and I squint my eyes. ‘Darling, just because I flirt with you doesn’t mean I want you.’

I press my lips together, my brows jumping up. ‘Wow. Charming. You seriously won me over with that one.’

He smiles at me, crooked and almost arrogant. If I was Raelynn a few years ago in college or high school, that comment of his might’ve hurt me. It would’ve hurt me. Some try to change the past; others try to cut it out of their lives. What I’ve learned is that you simply have to deal with it. The past can’t be changed. No matter how often you cry into your pillow, wish upon a star, or pray for a miracle. Trust me, I’ve tried it all. I like to think present Raelynn is different; I’m not careless and obsessed with the opposite gender anymore. I’m not out past three in the morning getting drunk. I’m not having careless sex with anyone who much as flirts with me or being a pain in my parent’s neck—going to jail for silly crimes. That might be someone’s proud life, but it’s not mine anymore. It hasn’t been for a couple of years. And this guy, whoever he is, won’t break my streak.

Besides the perfect, flawless one I made up for my family, no guys or boyfriends can distract me.

No matter how tempting they are.

A beep breaks our peaceful silence. ‘Sorry for the inconvenience. The elevator is up and running and will be moving again shortly.’ A helper guy speaks through the speaker near the floor buttons.

I sigh a breath of relief. Thank the Lord.

‘See, I told you it’d be done quickly,’ No-Name says. I cross my arms, ignoring him as the elevator gracefully begins to travel down. Hearing the elevator move is like music to my ears. The glowing descending numbers keep my attention undivided.

Then a ding sounds, and the doors open.

At the far end of the lobby, my mom and dad sit in the chairs, a book in mom’s hand and dad looking over her shoulder to read it. They both wear casual clothing to accommodate this warm April weather. I swallow the dry lump clogging the center of my throat.

I immediately feel pressure on my chest, head, and heart as I take my first step out of the elevator.

Please, don’t be disappointed in me.

I leave No-Name behind, forgetting his existence with my steps toward the middle-aged people before me. Their brown skin shines in the light above, and my mother looks up at me above her glasses.

She gasps and smiles. ‘Raelynn!’ She stands up, and so does Dad, but I try not to meet his eyes. Dad and I haven’t been on very good terms for quite some time now. Since I can remember, my dad has always been strict, and unlike Gia, I haven’t been one to listen to him—at all. I guess I should just be glad he’s here. It’s a step in the right direction.

‘Hi, Mom,’ I say blankly with an attempted smile, hugging her.

‘Ugh,’ she scoffs, pulling back and picking at a curl dropping over my face. ‘Your hair, it’s a—’

‘Mess,’ I roll my eyes. ‘I know.’

‘Your boyfriend must really love you; having your hair so wild would scare off anyone who doesn’t.’ She cackles, and I blink at her, shifting my jaw from side to side.

Sometimes, I wonder if she knows how rude she is. My hair isn’t even that wild. It’s curly and in a ponytail… may the Lord be with me, how terrible.

‘Actually, Mom, that’s what I wanted to tell you ab—’

I watch her brown eyes trail away from my face and to somewhere behind me. She beams, ‘Speaking of your boyfriend, would you look at him.’

My brows drop in confusion. But a second later, a warm, hard hand threads with mine.

I flinch at his contact and turn to see elevator No-Name.

My eyes widen and he looks at me with a bright smile. Is this his way of getting back at me for turning him down? Playing some sick game with my problems?

He turns to my parents and gives them his most appealing smile. Big and white all over. My eyes trail down to our hands connected, and I flex my hand. The feeling of a male makes me repel. He closes his grip on me tighter.

‘It’s so nice to meet you. I’m Milo Evans.’

Milo. So, No-name isn’t nameless after all.

Milo extends his hand to shake my mother’s. She returns it gladly. Then he turns to my dad and attempts to shake his, but dad only stares at his hand, a low flame burning behind his dark brown eyes.

I tug at Milo’s other hand, and he drops the gesture, slipping the rejected hand back into his sweatpants’ pockets.

Over the years, my dad has come to hate every one of the guys I’ve brought home. He didn’t trust them, and he had good reason to. They were all a bunch of jerks who used me for one thing and one thing only. I was too stupid to realize that then.

This fake boyfriend Milo’s filling in for doesn’t change anything in Dad’s mind. His guard’s still up when it comes to my so-called boyfriends. Mom, however, looks over the moon.

She grips Milo’s shoulder. You’re one handsome man, I didn’t think Raelynn was capable of—’

‘Mom,’ I hiss through my teeth. Do I reveal what I was going to or keep this charade up?

She waves me away. ‘So, Milo,’ she starts.

‘Yes?’ His voice is deep, smooth, and so… British.

My mom closes her eyes. ‘Your accent is killing me.’ She turns to me. ‘You mess this one up, I’ll end you myself, Raelynn.’

I swallow, biting my tongue to stop the urge to tell her off for how bad she makes me feel. This stranger she’s just met, and she talks to him better than her daughter, who’s standing right in front of her.

I turn away and stare at the wall just as I feel Milo’s thumb rub back and forth against the back of my hand.

A knot forms in my throat, listening to their conversation.

‘So, how long have you known Raelynn, Milo?’

‘Oh, for around two years,’ he says, remembering what I’ve told him in the elevator. ‘Isn’t that right, love?’

I realize he’s just spoken to me; I turn to look at his fake smile and grill him for a split second before I go along with his lie. ‘Mhm, two fantastic years.’

‘What are your intentions with my daughter,’ my dad asks. He’s overprotective, extremely protective, even with me being an adult. I don’t know if I should hate it or cherish it. That’s the thing about religious parents. You either want to get as far away from them as possible or give in to them.

Milo stares blankly. ‘Um—’

‘Have you thought about marriage?’ Dad quizzes, ‘What is your career path? Are you a criminal—’

‘Mom, Dad, we really got to get going,’ I unintentionally dig my nails into Milo’s hand, and when he flinches, I soften my grip.

Mom smiles and sighs contentedly, turning to Dad. ‘Don’t be so scary, David; you’ll scare him away,’ she whispers. Then turns to Milo, ‘It was nice meeting you. I hope to see you both at the wedding in a few months, yes?’

Gia’s wedding. The perfect angel of our little family is getting married. How could we forget?

‘Wedding,’ Milo says before I can open my mouth. ‘Of course, we’ll be there.’

Is he out of his damn mind? I have to smile to prevent myself from cursing at him.

‘We really have to go,’ I say, breaking this twisted version of a reunion up.

He bends down and kisses my mother’s cheek goodbye. She softly gasps in shock and laughs, ‘Oh! What a gentleman. I like you,’ she pats his cheek and grabs Dad’s arm, finding their way out of the building.

Immediately, I let go of Milo’s hand with disgust and turn to face him. He slips both hands in his sweatpants pockets and raises his eyebrows. ‘That was… something.’

‘What is wrong with you!’ I bellow through my teeth, pushing at his chest. He doesn’t budge, of course. His chest feels like steel. I try not to be loud, noticing the security lady sitting behind her desk reading.

‘What? Did you not need my help?’

‘No, I didn’t, and I don’t. You’ve just made everything worse. What am I supposed to tell them now? That we broke up? In a few minutes, the entire family will hear about how great you are, Milo. What lie do I come up with? How do I even—’

‘Darling—’

‘And my name is not darling or love!’ Steam practically oozes from every hole in my head as I shout. Someone exits the elevator, and I lower my voice. My heart is thumping so fast my chest hurts. ‘It’s Raelynn. Drop the act.’

He stands and stares at me. Silent. He searches my eyes until I break eye contact and walk past him to exit the building.

I don’t have any plans; it’s the weekend, and it’s the morning. So, only one place comes to mind for moments like this. Moments where I need to cool off in peace.

Anything’s better than standing under that heavy gaze.