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

hapter 134

"In a few days, it'll be Matthew's birthday. You're coming, right?"

Lindey's words caught me off guard, reminding me that Matthew's birthday was indeed coming up.

Even if she hadn't brought it up, I wouldn't have forgotten. I had reminders set for everyone's birthdays in the Johnston family. Living with them, I always tried to make sure everything was perfect, just to keep everyone happy.

I wasn't exactly treated like an outsider, but I still walked on eggshells, always worried that one wrong move might make them think less of me or, worse, dislike me.

Lost in thought, I didn't answer right away, so Lindey added, "Rea, you know we've always thought of you as our daughter. Every year, we've appreciated your gifts and well wishes on our birthdays. If you don't come this year, Matthew will be really disappointed." I hadn't planned on going, but I'd already arranged for a gift to be delivered.

Now that she was asking directly, it was hard to say no, especially with Jace acting like a total maniac lately. I was worried that if I went to the Johnston house, he might pull something crazy, like drag me off to his bed.

But if I said I wasn't coming, Lindey would probably hit me with a million reasons why I should. So, I reassured her, "Lindey, of course I'll be there."

birthday if you didn't," Lindey

Jace for the trouble he's

like they had no idea about the stunts Jace had

didn't want to doubt them. They'd always treated me well, so I just said, "No,

told her about Jace's latest antics, Lindey would just scold him over the phone to make me feel better, maybe

the kind of guy who'd back down just because someone told him off. Once he got an idea

crazy stunts. The only

refusing to play the part of my boyfriend, dealing with this was going to be a lot harder. "Rea, if he ever bullies you or acts out, call me right away," Lindey assured

you called me-did you need something?" Lindey, who was just fifty and still sharp as ever, had finished talking

+25 BONUS

Chapter 134

flowers in my hand. "Lindey, did my parents like

me join you; we haven't been in a while, and it'd be nice to go together. Her words just confirmed what I already figured-the daisies

tighter. "Lindey, I'm already