Troubled: 3.5 A Short Story Prequel by Adele Huxley

Author:Adele Huxley [Huxley, Adele]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Short Stories (Single Author), Romance, Contemporary, Suspense, Romantic winter thriller
Google: GnnoCgAAQBAJ
Publisher: Adele Huxley
Published: 2015-11-11T17:00:00+00:00

"Are you sure you don't want to stay here?" Liz insisted.

Mom already had her coat on and was halfway out of the front door. "That's okay, really. I have to get up early to hit the road on time."

"It's no trouble at all," Liz pressed. "We have plenty of room."

My snort won a look of derision from Mom. "No, no. I'm already imposing enough as it is. I had the house cleaned up before we left. I'm looking forward to staying there for old time's sake."

Liz and Bryan shared a smile of domesticated bliss. "It always treated us well," he added.

They all hugged goodbye and Mom turned to me. "I'll give you a call when I get in, okay sweetheart?" she asked with her arms outstretched.

"Uh huh," I replied as I crossed my arms. There was no way in hell she was actually going to leave me here.

"Come on, can't I get just one hug before I go? I won't see you for months," she pleaded.

Not wanting to ruin any chances of her changing her mind, I rolled my eyes and gave her a one-armed hug that lasted barely a second. "Whatever. See you tomorrow morning for breakfast," I smirked.

Awkward silence filled the space between all four of us. It was only broken by the cries of Jack wiggling in Liz's arms. I did feel little twinge of worry that she was going but a bigger part of me was glad. If she actually did have the balls to leave me behind, then maybe I would get some space to be on my own. Isn't that what I've been hoping for all along? Plus, it would just prove how little she cared about me, another card to add to my deck.

"Well, have a safe trip. Give us a call when you get in," Bryan said hugging Mom once more.

"It was so wonderful to finally meet you," Liz said.

I stood stiffly in the hallway as they both waved goodbye from the door. I refused to give my mom the satisfaction of looking like a lost puppy as she walked away. I listened to the car reverse and disappear into the distance. The pair shut the door and turned to me expectantly.

"So, are you sure you aren't hungry?" Bryan asked.

I nodded, trying not to take my aggression out on him. "Yeah, I'm sure. I think I'm just going to go to bed now."

"We were actually thinking about decorating the Christmas tree," Liz said as she glanced at Bryan. "We brought out all the decorations and thought we could make hot cocoa and have a Christmas movie on TV. You can choose which one."

I gave her a thin smile, biting back the caustic comment I had on the tip of my tongue. As far as I could tell Bryan was okay, but Liz was already grating on my nerves. Perky, overly eager, it was like she wanted to be my best friend from the start.

"No, thanks. Really. I'm just so tired from the trip," I replied with an exaggerated yawn and stretch.

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