She didn’t sound like she was playing oblivious but like she wanted to know Greta’s interpretation of what had happened.

“We had…a fight? A difference of opinion. And I got accidentally drunk and fell asleep.”

“Having a difference of opinion’s really common,” she said gently. “Just because I like someone doesn’t mean I have to agree with everything they say or do.”

“Right.”

But Greta couldn’t quite swallow. Wasn’t it a problem if you wanted different things? Believed different things? If you were in a relationship, that is… But they weren’t, really, were they? Because Greta would be leaving at the end of the month.

The thought came so quickly and so automatically that she squeezed her eyes shut.

I don’t want to leave. I want to stay here.

The other voice in her head simply said But you can’t.

“What’s going on for you right now?” Carys asked.

“Ugh. Voices in my head fighting.” Greta rolled her eyes at herself, hoping for levity. But Carys nodded so sincerely that Greta took a deep breath and went on. “I want to stay here. And there’s this voice in my head just saying over and over, You can’t. And it’s…I don’t know how to make it shut up. It makes me feel guilty and freaked the fuck out and—” She broke off because she was scared she was about to start crying.

“Why guilty?”

“Because,” Greta croaked, “I don’t want to disappoint my family. They’ve always been there for me. I know I bitch about them a lot, but I don’t know what I’d do without them. They’re all I’ve ever known, and if they leave me—” Tears welled in her eyes.

“Hey, okay, come here.”

Carys’ strong arms wrapped around her, and Greta let the tears come. She tried to stay quiet, but it was no use. Carys stroked her back as she cried.

“You were talking about feeling guilty to move here and leave your family. But then you said you’re worried they’ll leave you. Why would they leave you?”

Greta hadn’t meant to say that, but once it was out of her mouth, she realized it was true. She wasn’t just afraid of letting them down, although that had been what she concentrated on because it was what she could control. Tears leaked from the corners of her eyes, and she ducked her chin.

“Because if I leave, what if they don’t…”

“Love you anymore?”

Greta nodded miserably.

“Oh, sweetheart,” Carys said. Her voice was exquisitely gentle. “If your family stops loving you because you make a choice that’s best for yourself, that’s not love. That’s control.”

Greta sobbed.

She knew her parents loved her. She knew her sisters loved her—even Sadie. So why was she so damn scared?

“They do love me,” she choked out.