AllFreeNovel
Share Us
And they were. The band members were putting their heads together, and songs were pouring out of them. They made the most of every minute of the lunch hour in that small storage room in the gym. I was in awe-filled, music-loving heaven.
But though I gave advice and encouragement here and there, I didn’t let on how excited I was about the band or being Collin’s let’s-see-how-it-goes girlfriend. I didn’t want to jinx anything.
“We need a gig.” Rachel sighed. “Practice in front of an audience.”
“Collin is going to see if he can get Martin to put ABCR in the lineup at Winston’s.”
“You think he can?”
“He and Andy have already performed there,” I reminded her.
“We need feedback from an audience.” She picked at nonexistent lint on her gray leggings. “Just not sure we’re ready.”
“You have to start somewhere. Put yourself out there.” And man, that advice could certainly apply to me with Collin.
“You’re probably right.”
“Of course I am. I’m the oldest,” I joked, disappointed when she didn’t even crack a smile. “Are you sure you’re okay to be here by yourself?”
I searched her eyes for clues, trying to figure out what she wasn’t telling me.
Rachel frowned. “I can take care of myself. I’m almost seventeen.”
I bit my lower lip. “I know how old you are.”
It concerned me, my little sister being sexually active at her age. Andy hadn’t been her first, and she’d told me quite huffily after they broke up that he wouldn’t be her last. She was careful, taking birth control pills and making sure her partners were suited up. I’d been the one to talk about sex with her. I’d made her the appointment and gone with her to the free clinic to get her prescription.
She was acting responsibly. But like had happened with Andy, her pattern wasn’t to stay with any guy long. That worried me.
“Rach,” I said softly. Her eyes had gone unfocused. “Did something happen with Ray or one of Mom’s creepy friends that you’re afraid to tell me?”
Her eyes snapped into focus. “No, of course not.” She glanced away. “Ray’s just a creep, and I know to stay away from the others.”
“But you said Ray came into our room.” I frowned. “How did you get him to leave?”
“I don’t want to talk about this, okay?” She drew a pillow to her chest.
“Addy!” my mom yelled as she banged on the closed bedroom door. “There’s a boy here to see you.”
“Shit,” I muttered.
Rachel lifted her head, and we exchanged worried glances. Our mother wasn’t supposed to be here. She usually worked late on Thursdays. I’d agreed to let Collin pick me up at the apartment, planning on my mom not being around.
Isodidn’t want him to meet her.
This was a disaster.
“How long have you been going out with my daughter?” my mom asked Collin, a vodka bottle cradled to her chest like a newborn. This was her second question, another awkward attempt to pretend she gave a damn.
“We’re not exactly going out.” Collin rubbed the back of his neck. The movement stretched the black cotton of his T-shirt across his chiseled chest. Even with my life unraveling before my eyes, I noticed. My mother noticed too, which weirded me out. “Though, I guess we did sort of go out Saturday night.”
Lorraine pointed at me with her vodka bottle. “You didn’t have my permission to go out.”
“I’m seventeen, Mom.” I propped my hands on my hips.
“When you live under my roof, you ask for my permission to go out.” Her eyes narrowed. “That’s one of the rules.”
One of the rules she’d never enforced until now.
