Falling Apart (GANG Series)

Chapter 27

Jacob's POV

      Aria is laying beside me in bed after our shower. Jesus, she is knocked out. That's how I know I did my job well. I always put her to sleep, but fuck I almost forgot what that was like. It was incredibly stupid and irresponsible to dive in without a condom but I didn't bring any and I can't help myself with her. I didn't expect for her to trust me with her body once again this soon. After everything. But she does and once again my happiness about that is overshadowed by the big ass neon sign highlighting that I don't deserve her to.

She's right. She always is. I haven't forgiven myself for everything I put her through. Her forgiveness is a blessing and a curse. It doesn't matter if your terrible acts were forgiven because you can't help but know you shouldn't have gotten that kindness from her. When you know anything is too good for you, it's best to walk away. To let her grow like a nurtured garden instead of plucking her up from her dirt and roots just because you thought she was a pretty flower. Just because you believe you could give her stability doesn't mean you will.

I raise the blanket up higher when she curls up more, proving she's cold. I take my attention from one of Aria's murder mystery novels when there's a knock on the door.

"Hey," Aria's mom is revealed. "Dinner is ready and I was wondering if you guys are gonna come down to eat. Everyone has pretty much finished eating and we're just waiting for you guys."

"Oh, I'm sorry. I could eat but Aria's asleep. She's exhausted. From the beach." I add in case that came out wrong.

"Well, come on. How do you like your burgers?"

"You don't have to make it for me. It's okay." I follow her down the stairs.

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah, thanks." When we get to the kitchen, she starts washing dishes.

I go grab a cooked meat patty with melted cheese dressing it, tossing it between two buns after adding lettuce and onion.

"What the hell?" Sebastian remarks as I chew.

"What?" I ask after I finish.

"You dip your burger into ketchup?" He stares at the tiny pool of ketchup on my plate.

"Yeah. Almost everyone eats their burgers with ketchup."

"Yeah. They put it in their burger not use it as dipping sauce."

"It's just food."

"But it's weird."

"At least I don't cut up my pizza. Its finger food with less than three syllables. Only a pretentious freak does that."

"I choked on pizza when I was twelve. It's not my fault I have to take precautions." He gets up from the table and marches off.

I just laugh and try to finish off my burger.

"I'm glad you get on well with Sebastian." Aria's mom tells me as she grabs the empty beer bottles off the dinner table.

"I don't really talk to him. I don't think calling anyone a pretentious freak serves as getting along anyway."

"I thought that's just how you two got on. But I can confirm that he certainly doesn't hate you."

"Unlike your sister." My smart-ass mouth slips.

"I can't give you advice on that. My sister is a difficult person to influence. She's not one to have a change of heart. It's rare." The same could be said for me.

"It's alright. I get it." Takes a stubborn fucker to know one.

She sympathetically smiles before leaving. Yeah, she barely likes me but at least she's not giving me the cold shoulder like Aleina over there.