I Love You More Than I'm Afraid (Our Forevers #2), Rebel Hart [best adventure books to read .txt] 📗

of pink ribbon from a project I’d worked on recently. I grabbed it and pulled my hair up into a ponytail, fastening it in place with a bow. Pointing to it, I raised an eyebrow and smiled at my mom. “Pink bow. Huh? I think the boys are ready for me now.”

“I don’t know where you got that nasty attitude from, but you could stand to drop it for a day or two.”

“Why? You certainly haven’t dropped talks of trying to force me into skirts to fit your wholesome Christian narrative. Tell me, mother, does god feel better now that I’m wearing a pink bow? Do you?”

“You are insufferable,” my mom hissed. “We’ve already come to the conclusion that you’re a lost cause, but don’t drag your sisters…” Her voice died there.

“No, no, finish your thought. Don’t drag them where? To hell, where I’m obviously going because I prefer women to men?” I said. “Tell me something. You made me and gave birth to me, even raised me. So if I’m going to hell, what’s going to happen to you?”

My mom raised her hand and brought it hard across my cheek. It wasn’t the first time she slapped me, and it wouldn’t be the last, but it never ceased to hurt for more reasons than one when she did it. “I tried with you, Arden.”

“Tried what? Tried to stifle who I am? Tried to scare me straight by sending me to a camp that locked me in a basement and didn’t feed me—oh that’s right, I forgot, you don’t believe that it happened.”

“Those adults would never do something like that to a child.”

I shook my head. “Nah, of course not. That’s why they were investigated and shut down.”

“They were investigated and shut down because of unsubstantiated claims by you and other students who were fortunate enough to go there. You ruined lives with your lies.”

I narrowed my gaze and my lips sewed into a tight line across my face. “I guess you’d know all about that.” I reached down and grabbed my backpack and slung it over my shoulder. “Would you step aside, I’d hate to accidentally get some of my gay on you on the way out.”

My mother shook her head in disappointment, but did step far out of my way. I walked past her, stopping only when she whispered, “I do love you, Arden.”

I scoffed. “Yeah. Just like hunters love deer.”

There was no use in hanging around for her response, so I didn’t. Outside the door, my father was postured up, his arms crossed, and his eyes beating down at me. My sisters were at the other end of the hallway, squeezed together and watching me with concern.

“Don’t speak to your mother that way,” my father huffed. His gray eyes were stabbing and terrifying. “You won’t be allowed in this house.”

“Please,” I said. “You and I both know you’re not letting me out of here because you’d hate for the people at the church to start talking about old Harvey Namon who abandoned his daughter. That does not read well on the Sunday newsletter.” His nostrils flared out, but he didn’t respond, because he knew I was right. “Don’t worry, I’m keeping the whole lesbian thing at a minimum, because god forbid you experience some embarrassment.” I continued past him, my heart pounding and a little bit of sweat coming to my brow as I did, but he fortunately didn’t do anything. “For what it’s worth, if neither of you wanted to say anything to me until I moved out, I’d be perfectly fine with that.”

“Be careful what you wish for,” he growled after me.

“If that means it’ll come true, then I’m doubling down,” I responded. “Bye.”

There were only four plates set at the table for breakfast, not that it was a big shock, but just to be a shit, I passed through anyway and grabbed a handful of the bacon stacked high on the plate. Apparently being gay is wrong, but fudging on the lord’s ban against pork is no issue. I wrapped the pieces in a paper towel, then grabbed a bottle of orange juice from the fridge, ‘accidentally’ poured my father’s coffee down the kitchen sink drain, then grabbed my car keys off the wall and headed out into the morning. Texts started to bling on my phone—likely Aria texting me for the morning. I smiled as I pulled my phone out, but didn’t get to read them before I heard the front door open again.

“Arden!” I stopped and turned and saw Willow, now dressed in a pleated skirt with her black blouse. Whitney was behind her, similarly dressed, though her skirt was a longer, floor-length one. They were both so beautiful, and what they chose to wear was their prerogative, but I wished my mother didn’t insist on making them dress like pioneers. “You’re leaving already? What about breakfast?”

I held up the paper towel. “I took mom and dad’s share of bacon, don’t worry.”

Whitney chuckled behind Willow, ducking her head so it wasn’t too obvious, but Willow still wore a face of concern. “I got you in trouble… I’m sorry.”

“Hey…” I walked back up to Willow and put my hand on her head. “You didn’t do anything wrong except make a bold statement in fashion. A girl after my own heart.” She looked up at me teary eyed and I sighed. “Aw, come on, don’t do that. I’m fine. Your big sis is made of steel. I gotta be for all of this.”

“Why is it so bad?” Willow asked. “Does it matter if you like girls instead of boys?”

Whitney watched Willow with a knowing gaze, and my heart broke for my little sister. I would never want her to be anything other than her honest and happy self, but if she ever chose to be more honest about her sexuality, it was going to create a long, rocky road for her. One I’d never wish on anyone.

Still, I couldn’t lie to the girl.

“No,” I