This is happening to me as I wander the cute shops that line Ocean Avenue in downtown Carmel. Drew dropped me off at the top of the hill, explaining there’s an endless amount of shops and art galleries that line the main drag as well as the side streets. He said I could explore the area for hours if I wanted to and I eagerly agreed to the arrangement since I knew his dad wanted to talk to him privately.
That’s what they’re doing right now. Sitting in some restaurant pretending to eat lunch while his dad drills him with the ‘what are you doing with your life’ questions, I’m sure. Luckily enough, Adele had a standing hair appointment and she couldn’t go, though she was ready to cancel. Drew’s dad stopped her, saying he wanted to talk to his son alone.
Her bitter disappointment was obvious to all over that one.
A shiver went down my spine. That woman gives me the heebie jeebies. I don’t like her and she doesn’t like me. At all. She tries her damnedest to spend time with Drew and he tries to avoid her at all costs. I don’t get it.
Of course, who am I to judge when it comes to screwed up families? Mine is an absolute mess.
I stop in front of a store window and peer through the glass. The shoes on display are probably so expensive, I figure I can’t afford to look, let alone walk into the place. Luckily my ringing phone saves me from doing something so daring.
“Tell me everything’s okay,” I answer.
“Everything’s okay,” Owen replies. Damn, even his voice sounds like he’s smirking.
“Shouldn’t you be in school?” It’s only two o’clock. He’s not out until three.
“It’s a half day today.”
He’s lying. The half-day isn’t until Wednesday but there’s no point in getting on him about it. I’m out of town. There’s nothing I can do. “Has Mom been home?”
“Yeah, last night she was there, but it sucked.” He curses under his breath. “She had her new boyfriend with her.”
Yuck. Glad I wasn’t there. Though if I had been, my mother wouldn’t have brought him around. She would’ve stayed at his place instead. “Is he nice?”
“No, he’s a jackass. Bossed Mom around and constantly told her to get him a beer. I finally told him to get his own damn beer.”
I sag against the wall with a groan, earning a few strange looks from passersby. “You didn’t.”
“I sure did. He’s rude as hell and he’s a drunk. Mom deserves better.”
I couldn’t agree with him because I don’t think our mom deserves better. She’s made her choices all these years and they’re always the same. I’ve lost count of how many drunken rude assholes my mom’s hooked up with. Owen doesn’t see it because I’ve sheltered him from the endless stream of boyfriends as much as possible.
“Did Mom get mad at you?”
“She didn’t say a word but the guy threatened to kick my ass if I back talked him again.”
“Holy crap,” I murmur, briefly closing my eyes. This is why I shouldn’t leave. I’ve been gone not even three full days and everything’s already falling apart. “I hope to God he didn’t lay a hand on you, or I’m calling the cops.”
“Pfft.” Thirteen year olds think they’re invincible and my brother is no exception. “Like he could touch me. I’d kick his ass first.”
“I should come home.” Panic rises inside me. I know everything can spiral out of control real quick when I’m not around. What Owen’s telling me only proves it. “I’ll hop on the bus or a train or whatever and come home tonight if you need me.”
“What about those bratty kids you’re taking care of? You just can’t ditch your job.”
“I can if you’re in trouble. No job is more important than family.” I glance around, watching the beautiful people glide past me. It was cold, fog still lingered though it was high, more like clouds, and the sidewalk is crowded with both locals and tourists. It doesn’t take a genius to tell them apart.
“Stay there and earn all that extra money I’m sure we’ll be needing.” He lowers his voice and I hear a shout in the distance, probably one of his punk friends. God, they were probably all hanging out at our apartment and eating all our food. “Mom lost her job.”
My heart sinks to the pit of my stomach. She worked part-time in a parts store at a local dealership for minimum wage. Nothing major, but we need every last dime she makes. This money from Drew is only going to last for a little while, especially now that she’s unemployed. “Great. When did this happen?”
“This morning. She texted me and let me know. Said she’s going to stay the night at Larry’s.”
“So you’ll spend the night alone.” Hell, no. The last thing I want to happen.
“I’m going over to Wade’s house, so don’t worry. I’ll spend the night there.” The words come out so breezily the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.
He’s lying, I can tell. I’m so damn good at reading the kid I should be his mother. “You better. I’ll call Wade’s house later tonight to check on you.”
“Gimme a break, Fable. What, you can’t trust me?” He’s whining, sounding like the little brother I remember again. Another sign he’s lying.
“Nope, not when I’m out of town.” My cell beeps, indicating I have a text message and I pull the phone away from my ear to check it real quick.
It’s from Drew. And it’s only one word.
Marshmallow.