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."

welled up as Wayne hugged her and said,

playfully hit him before pulling him close. "You've been away for

you talking about? I was just super busy abroad," Wayne said, his

but think, 'Is he back because of

support, she'd eventually come to terms with it. Wayne mentioned he hadn't eaten and missed his parents' cooking,

Wayne and me left in the living room, the awkwardness from our last

the silence. "I thought

talking about? This is my home. I can

task:

kitchen, I knew this was the perfect time to pack my

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+15 BONUS

upstairs," I said, standing

Wayne refused, reaching for

Wayne's fingers lingered for a moment. "I've never let you carry anything heavy since

he never let me carry even a piece of

girl by Jace, I never felt mistreated