Chapter 69

Alex appears in maybe, two minutes.

Impressive, seeing how it takes about ten to get here. I dash across the sidewalk and jump into his truck, instantly surrounded in comfort. The scent. The feel of the seats. I look over and find him staring at me, worry creased between his brows. "You okay?"

"Can we go to your house for a bit?"

"Parents are home. But we can go somewhere else." He puts the truck in drive and we pull onto the road. He shifts gears. "So...what happened?"

My entire body tenses.

I so do not want to talk about it. But he did come to my rescue, so I at least owe him the truth. I let out a breath, hating the words as I say them. "My mom wants me to break up with you."

Alex doesn't say anything as he stares ahead. He grips the steering wheel. "Oh."

"If that isn't enough, she brought my awful Aunt Milly in as reinforcements." I cross my arms and look out the window. "Ambushed the second I got home. Seriously. The second I put down my bag."

"Did she say why?"