Bye-Bye Jerk, Hello Mr. Right by Rosie Steppe

Chapter 56

'Wayne is back!'

I hadn't seen that coming, just like I didn't think he'd remember my dad's number.

Matthew and Lindey were equally surprised, staring at Wayne in disbelief.

Wayne had been gone for four years without a single visit. His sudden return was a total surprise and a real thrill for them.

"Mom, Dad, what's up? Aren't you guys happy to see me?" Wayne said, walking over with a grin.

Wayne had always been the warm, big brother type. In the ten years I spent with the Johnston family before he left, he brought the most warmth to the house.

Unlike Jace, who was all about showing off how well he treated me, Wayne's kindness was the real deal- quiet and genuine, more about what he did than what he said. "Wayne," I called out to him.

This brought Matthew and Lindey back to their senses. Lindey released me, stood up, and walked to Wayne, lightly hitting him twice. "You still remember you have parents? You still know how to come home? Matthew chimed in, "Why didn't you give us a heads-up?"

Wayne glanced at me, then flashed a faint smile. "I wanted to surprise you guys."

as Wayne hugged her and

him close. "You've been away for so long. Your dad and I thought we

just super busy abroad," Wayne said, his eyes locking with

'Is he back because

away from Jace and me. I had said all I needed to, and Matthew seemed to accept it. Lindey was still struggling, but with Wayne and Matthew's support, she'd eventually come to terms with it. Wayne mentioned he hadn't eaten and missed his

the living room, the awkwardness from our last phone

the silence. "I thought you wouldn't

you talking about? This is my home. I can come

task: packing my

kitchen, I knew this was the perfect time to pack my belongings and avoid the emotional strain

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take Wayne's luggage upstairs," I said,

Wayne refused, reaching for

and I quickly pulled mine back. Wayne's fingers lingered for a moment. "I've never let

was true. Whenever we were together, he never let me

being treated like a fallback girl by Jace, I