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."

eyes welled up as Wayne hugged her

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

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

help but think, 'Is

shifted the conversation 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 parents' cooking, prompting them to rush to the kitchen to make a meal,

and me left in the living room, the awkwardness from

"I thought you wouldn't come

is my home. I can come whenever I want,"

task: packing my

Matthew and Lindey busy in the kitchen, I knew this was the perfect time to pack my belongings and avoid the emotional strain of doing it in front

1/2

+15 BONUS

Wayne's luggage upstairs," I said, standing up

refused, reaching

lingered for a moment. "I've never let you carry anything heavy since we were kids. I'm

he never let

treated like a fallback girl by Jace, I never felt mistreated in this