33

"THERE, SEE?" Elliot points to the indigo sky. "You can totally see the stars from here."

Faint twinkles of light flicker beyond the dusky clouds, and powdery snow trickles over us with the smell of spring. We're on the roof outside Elliot's window, and the rough texture pokes my legs through my plaid pajamas. Elliot wraps his arm around my shoulder, and I breathe in his smell of clean laundry.

"Hardly," I say. "But the view isn't bad."

"You know, it's crazy," he whispers against my neck, "but I've never been this happy before."

I meet his eyes. They're cobalt blue in the moonlight, and warmth bubbles through me. "Neither have I. This month has been perfect, El."

It's true; living here has been surreal. I've been keeping in contact with Brett and Alecia, and neither of them have heard a word from Colt. I think I finally broke him. Maybe he moved back to Toronto to live with his family, I don't know. All I know is he's out of my life and I want him to stay out. Forever. Even if that means paying him off with my inheritance money. Whatever it takes.

I haven't told Elliot's family about my money yet, but Elizabeth is motivating me to think about the future. I've even gone as far as to look for a job again. If I can get work, I can save up for my own place, or at least pay rent here so I don't feel like such a leech. The other day she insisted on taking me out to get new clothes, but I didn't let her to buy me much, just some socks and underwear. I hate letting them spend so much money on me, but they're so genuine and nice about it. Elizabeth, especially. She seems to enjoy taking care of me. It's weird, but... nice. Yeah, it's nice.

"What're you thinking about?" Elliot asks.

"Hm? Oh, nothing." I grab the hem of his hoodie and kiss him. He takes a deep breath before he leans over me. With my back to the roof, he puts his weight on me, sending butterflies through my body.

"Do you want me to come down tonight?" he asks.

"You know I do." I tighten my legs around him.

"Whoa, okay." He rolls off me. "Let's save that for later."

We both lay there and laugh. He makes me so weak sometimes, but I'm addicted to it. Almost every night, when the lights are out in the house, he sneaks downstairs and makes me feel it over and over again.

"So," I begin, resting my chin on my hand, "big game tomorrow. Excited?"

He crosses his arms behind his head and stares at the sky. "You know it. This'll be my first one with you back in my life. I'm on top of my game again, so those guys don't stand a chance. I mean, hopefully. We could still lose. But I'm trying to stay confident."

I open my mouth to reply, but someone speaking cuts me off. The window to Charlotte's bedroom is open, and we can hear her say, "This is such bullshit."

"Well, get used to it, Char." That's Ollie. "According to Mom, she's not going anywhere anytime soon."

My stomach drops. They're talking about me.

Elliot stiffens. "Hey, wanna go back in? It's getting cold."

I don't budge.

"It isn't fair," Charlotte says. "Don't we get any say in who lives in our house? I hate her!"

"I'm not stoked about her either, but do you really think Mom and Dad would take away El's precious happiness? Fat chance."

Charlotte scoffs. "Yeah, because El's clearly more important than either of us."

"Dude, you know he gets special treatment. Like, this isn't new. El gets away with everything."

"Okay," Elliot mutters, "now I'm pissed."

I bring my knees to my chest and hug them. I get Charlotte isn't my biggest fan, and truthfully, I don't like her much either; she's a spoiled brat. But Ollie too? He's hardly even around. I had no idea I was bothering him. Maybe I've gotten too comfortable in this house, but despite Adam and Ollie's aloofness and Charlotte's hatred of me, I feel at home here. More than I've ever felt anywhere.

But this isn't my home. It's Charlotte's. And Ollie's and Elliot's and Adam's and Elizabeth's. Not mine. I don't belong here.

"Hey." Elliot touches my arm. "Luce, don't listen to them. They're just my dumb siblings, who cares what they think?"

"You know I'm not one to care what people say, but this is different..."

"Why?"

"Because as long as I'm in your life, I'll be in theirs too. If they hate me, then..."

"Hey." He touches my back. "Literally nothing could ever change my opinion of you. Especially not what they say."

"Yeah." I shrug away from his touch. "It's whatever, El." I slide into the open window to Elliot's bedroom, embraced by the warmth of the house, and he jumps in after me.

"Luce, hold on."

My hand is already on the doorknob, but I turn around. "It's fine. I don't care what they think."

"I'll come down later, okay? You'll stay up for me?"

"Yeah, I will." I always do.