Corrupt Me

Chapter 22

Leaving had been the best decision. I'd see Tristan again whether I wanted to or not. We lived in the same building. We were bound to run into each other from time to time. This wasn't a forever goodbye. Was it possible we could find our way back to being friends? Maybe, if I could find it in my heart to forgive him for the pictures and the secrets he kept from me. Perhaps persevering my friendship with either brother was a horrible idea.

Everything was too fresh and raw to think that far.

The drive back to school was long. Too long to be stuck alone with my thoughts.

I tried to call Sam because singing every song on my playlist wasn't working. She didn't pick up. Not surprising given the early hour but I wasn't thinking straight. I glanced at the clock. I didn't have very many people in my life who would pick up at this time. My dad, but I wanted a sympathetic ear, not a lecture. Preston and Tristan were out of the equation for obvious reasons.

It became sadly clear that I needed more people in my life. My social life at college wasn't what I would like it to be. I'd been hoping to meet new people and make more friends. Maybe I should join a sorority. I relied on Sam too much, not only as my only close friend, especially now but also for her social game. She was the one who made friends easily, dragging me along with her.

It worked in the past.

But I had to learn more independence and stand on my own. I couldn't always rely on someone else.

Tomorrow.

I'd start tomorrow being a stronger, better version of myself. Or maybe the next day.

Today, I needed a supportive ally. Someone who loved me. Someone as close to a mom as I had in my life.

I picked up my phone and dialed.

"Hello." The warmness in the single word washed through me, thawing the ice that had begun to crawl in my veins.

"Anna," I said softly, fighting back a well of tears. I didn't want to cry. If I started sobbing, I would have to pull over, and I wanted to get back to campus as quickly as possible. No pit stops. No pity parties. No sobbing sessions. No falling apart on the side of the road.

"Oh, Everly, dear. It's so good to hear your voice. I was just sitting on the porch thinking about you. I'm so glad you called. The boys rarely do when they're away. How have you been?" she rambled off, but I didn't mind. In fact, it was the reason I called her. She would fill the long drive lull with her friendly chatter.

"I've had better days," I admitted, having no reason to sugarcoat my feelings. Anna wouldn't push for details I didn't want to give, but she would be a caring, motherly figure if I needed it.

"Hmm. I thought I heard something in your voice. Are you having a tough time at school?" she asked.

I thought about Preston and the pregnant girl in his dorm. How would Anna take the news she would be a grandma? After the initial shock, she would embrace the new role and the mother-to-be. It was Anna's nature. Blaine on the other hand wouldn't be so sympathetic to his son's choices. I hadn't thought of it before, but this girl Preston impregnated would be a part of all the Malones's lives, which meant I would have to see her if my relationship with Blaine and Anna continued.

I hated thinking about not having them in my life. "Maybe a little," I said, particularly if I included Tristan as part of my FSU experience.

"It's perfectly normal to be homesick. I remember my first year of college." Her tone took on a wistful note. Something like wood creaked in the background. The old rocking chair she loved to sit on I imagined. "I'd never been more scared. I can't tell you how many times I called my parents begging to come home, but as cliché as it sounds, things did get better. If I hadn't stuck it out, I wouldn't have met your mom."