Free If I Never Knew You (If I Never Knew You Series) by Aubrey Bailey Page A

freak you out," Orion said. I sighed and finally started the car.
    By the time I pulled into my driveway, I was surprised that Orion was so relaxed. He told me that I did really well and I believe he meant it. Then Andy and Mom came out. During this time, Orion went and hid the one gift that I knew about. It was a weird day, to say the least. Orion ordered pizza for us to have for dinner and then there was some discussion of when he should move in and how he was going to get it done.
    That day was the first day in a very long time that Damian didn't call, which didn't surprise me, as he had said he would be busy for a while. Apart from the time that I mentioned driving his car, I pretty much forgot he existed that day.
    That was a bad move on my behalf.

CHAPTER TWELVE

    AFTER STUFFING OURSELVES on Hawaiian pizza, I was so full that I was about to crash on the sofa, or at least I would have if the doorbell hadn't rang.
    "Who could that be?" I asked, getting up.
    "Um, probably Warren," Andy said, popping up quickly to get the door.
    I was happy Andy was inviting his other friends over, too. Andy opened the door and we said our greetings to Warren, before they started playing video games.
    I went out front and sat on the steps, thinking about my life and my situation with Orion and Damian. I hadn't actually seen or talked to Damian for a week now. I did see Orion a lot, but when talk turned to his help and moving in, I changed the subject, so the topic hadn't really been spoken about for the last two days. The truth was that if I didn't do something soon, there would be a big mess.
    "God...I am so screwed," I muttered.
    "You can say that again!" I looked up at the sound of my boyfriend's voice.
    "What the hell?" I said, staring up at Damian.
    "I have a question for you, Madison," he said, standing with one foot on the lowest step.
    "Okay," I said, carefully.
    "What does your brother's friend really mean to you?" Damian asked me. "He's here an awful lot." He leaned down and grabbed my chin. "And, my dear, I see him with you quite a bit-like at the mall last week."
    "We were shopping for Andy's birthday present," I explained. "He needed help and asked if I'd go with him."
    "Aw, see Baby. That's what I like about you," Damian said. His hand tightened on my chin. "You're just so damn trustworthy." He let go of my chin roughly and I dropped my head and focused on his shoes. "And you are so terrible at lying." This time he put the heel of his hand on my forehead, and forced my head back up. "Now, I don't know what's going on between you and him, but end it. Believe it or not, babe, you need me. If I go, so does everything else." He removed his hand a second before the door opened.
    "Madison, is everything okay?" Andy asked. I took a deep breath, before turning around and looking at him with a forced smile.
    "Everything's fine," I lied.
    "Damian," Andy said, looking at my boyfriend with dislike written all over his face.
    "Everything's fine, kid," Damian said. "Go back and play your games."
    "Umm," Andy said.
    "Don't leave Warren alone, Andy," I told him. Mentioning his friend did the job. Reluctantly, Andy stepped back into the house and closed the door.
    "So," Damian said. I slowly turned back to look at him. "I'm seeing you tonight?"
    "Sorry, but I have to work," I explained.
    "What about after work, my dear?" Damian suggested. I closed my eyes, thinking about this. In his own way, he was right. I sighed and nodded. "Good," he replied. I watched him walk to his car. "Oh, and Madison," he raised an eyebrow, "take the bus."
    He got into his car and, as I watched him leave, I suddenly felt very sick. When I got to my room, I looked at my phone and at the number on the screen, before I pushed the talk button to call it.
    "Hey, Mad," Orion said, happily. I couldn't do this.
    "Orion, hi," I said.
    "What's up?" Orion asked. "I was just about to leave."
    "Don't worry about it," I said. "I was thinking I'd take the bus today."
    "Oh?" Orion