Denying the Wrong Read Free Page A

know what I could possibly say to diffuse the tension.
    “Why won't you talk to me? Don't I deserve to at least tell you my side?” His eyes filled with tears. I couldn't tell if it was his emotions or the alcohol.
    “You don't deserve anything. How could you kiss the one person you know I hate? And now you're drinking?” She was screaming at him so loudly, I was afraid my neighbors would hear.
    Matt’s facial expression went void of all emotion. He nodded a little, turned around and walked out the door. Alissa immediately locked the front door and watched him walk away through the peephole.
    “Are you sure we shouldn't get him a cab? He shouldn't be on the road right now.” My whole body was shaking and I had no idea what to do.
    Alissa glared at me. “You’re actually worried about him after he basically broke into your apartment?” She walked over to the freezer and pulled out my stash of chocolate kisses.
    “Actually, I was more worried about him hurting someone else. I’m calling the police.”
    Alissa didn't respond.
    I reported Matt’s car and hung up before leaving my name.
    Alissa made a pot of coffee while I stood there watching her. She made two cups and carried them into my bedroom with the kisses.
    I got a towel and cleaned up the water by the front door and checked the lock one more time before following her into my room.

Cha pter 2
    Alissa
    Kat and I fell asleep watching a movie, still dressed in our clothes from the night before. I snuck out before she woke up, not wanting to talk about what happened with Matt again. Sure, I felt bad for causing Matt pain, but there wasn’t any good excuse for him to get drunk, and knowing he’d followed me should have freaked me out—but it didn’t.
    The morning sunlight put me in a much better mood, so I decided to take the long way back to my house and stop by the doughnut shop. Sugar made everything better.
    My parents were sitting at the kitchen table when I arrived home. My mom was crying. The box of doughnuts fell from my fingers as I rushed to her.
    “What's wrong? Is it Dillon?” I didn't even take my jacket off before sitting down at the table with them.
    “Dillon is coming home,” my dad said with a huge smile.
    “Why?” I felt confusion overtaking my momentary panic.
    “They asked for volunteers to take an early release. He gets to come home in a couple weeks.” Dad had never wanted Dillon to join the Army in the first place because he was hoping Dillon would follow in his footsteps in law.
    “Why would he do that? He loves the Army.”
    “With everything that happened during his leave, he thought it would be the best decision. He wants to take a different direction with a career, and I’m sure he wants to be here for Katherine.” My dad kissed my mom on the head and gave her shoulders a tight squeeze. She was still crying and hadn't said anything.
    “Why are you crying, Mom?”
    She looked up at me through the tears. “I'm just happy that I'll have both my children back under our roof. I know I can't protect you both forever, but knowing you're safe in your beds at night is such a relief.”
    “Well, what the hell is he going to do now? His plan was to stay in the Army until he could retire, last time we talked.”
    “Watch your language, young lady. He can go to school and live here until he's done. I’ve already made arrangements for him to work part time at the firm.” He sat down next to my mom, kissing her with a smile on his face.
    Leaving the kitchen to pick up the doughnuts, I went up to my room so I could give my parents a little privacy. It wasn’t very often that I saw them get emotional and it made me feel a little uncomfortable. Maybe it was because I didn't feel ecstatic about Dillon coming home. I loved my brother, but I really thought joining the Army had been a good decision for him so he could get out and see the world.
    I’d been jealous when he’d needed to move to another state for basic training. The only