Chapter 54

Nick had made himself exit the car, walk up the steps to his parents' house, and smile when his mother had greeted them with animated endearments. He made himself eat meatloaf, engage in casual conversation, and pretend nothing at all was freaking wrong. Pretended he didn't give a shit that Trisha was trying to walk away from him. End it.

After she argued baseball with his father and said good night to his mother, Trisha descended the hall and disappeared into their bedroom. They were sharing a bedroom for Christ sakes. Bethany's bedroom had been touched very little since her death, and even though she had moved out years before she'd died, his mom hadn't wanted to change much. His room still had a baseball theme. They hadn't argued when his mother insisted they stay together tonight, oblivious to what had happened in the car in their driveway.

And what the hell was he so upset about anyway? Wasn't this what he'd wanted? No strings. Get out before it got serious.