Chapter 3

After leaving the hospital, I dropped off some of my luggage at a storage unit. By the time I got home, Jared was already back, and Amber came up to greet me like she owned the place.

"Brynn, we're out of slippers, so just use the disposable ones."

I looked down. She was wearing my home slippers, the ones Jared had bought me. They were a size five because my feet were small, and her heels stuck out the back. They didn't fit her at all, but she wore them in front of me on purpose just to get under my skin.

I glanced further inside. Jared was on the couch playing video games with his friends, completely tuned out. I didn't say anything and bent down to put on the disposable pair.

When I stepped into the hallway, a blast of cold air hit me and set off my allergies. I sneezed three times in a row. The thermostat had been turned down from 75 to 64. Jared noticed this time and took the remote out of my hand.

"Amber runs warm. She can't take it if it's any higher. Just tough it out for a bit."

His tone was conversational, but the way he pocketed the remote made it clear there was nothing to discuss. Then he turned back around and picked up his game.

Amber gave me one airy glance, scoffed, and went back to join them. Not a single person in that room had so much as looked at me. I stood there like an outsider who didn't belong.

A shiver ran through me, and I spoke up before I could stop myself. "How long am I supposed to tough it out?"

The game sounds went quiet, and Jared turned around, visibly annoyed. "Two hours, max. Put on more clothes."

"I have allergies. I can't handle this."

"Then that's a you problem."

Jared gripped his controller so hard it looked like he was about to snap it in half. The room went awkward, and the others exchanged glances before trying to smooth things over.

"Brynn, why don't you hang out in the bedroom for now? The temperature's separate in there. We'll be gone soon."

I murmured an agreement and headed for the bedroom, but the second the door closed behind me, I heard snickering on the other side.

"Why are you sucking up to her? Jared doesn't even give her the time of day."

"I mean, you do feel kind of bad for her."

"People who make themselves that pathetic always have it coming. I can't stand that type. She acts all above it, but can she actually leave Jared? Didn't think so."

"That's a fact. I've never seen anyone grovel harder than Brynn Collier." They all burst out laughing.

They mocked me right out in the open, and Jared never said a word, which meant he felt the same way.

I checked the time. Tomorrow was Monday. I pulled out the last of my packed bags and pushed the bedroom door open.

The laughter froze on their faces. Jared's expression darkened.

"Do you really have to be this dramatic? All because I didn't let you change the temperature?"

Amber stood up, her eyes going red. "This is all because of me. Brynn, you don't have to leave. I'll go."

But before she could take a single step, Jared shot to his feet. Don't move. If she wants to leave, let her leave."

His friends seemed to have finally had enough of me too. "She literally just has to put on a jacket. How far is she going to take this?"

"Acting like she owns the place. Does anyone here actually listen to her?"

"No wonder she's an orphan. Who could put up with someone like that?"

My whole body went rigid. I swallowed the bitter sting rising in my chest and slowly turned to look at Jared.

He stared back at me, stone-faced and completely unbothered, enunciating every word. "If you walk out that door, don't bother coming back."

Even now, his first instinct was to threaten me. I wasn't sure if what I felt was release or just the weight finally lifting. I let out a quiet laugh and walked out.

The door barely shut before a crash exploded behind it. Jared had smashed his favorite gaming console to pieces.