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Later that morning, I was brushing my teeth in the hallway bathroom when my sister wandered in.
I spit out the froth, wiped off the white ring around my mouth with a tissue, and asked, “Did you get some of Carol’s pancakes for breakfast?” I injected lightness in my tone that I didn’t feel. “Almost as good as mine, right?”
Rachel didn’t answer.
“Hey, you sleep okay?” I asked, my eyes meeting hers in the mirror, and she dropped her gaze.
“I had a few nightmares.”
“What about?” Turning around, I leaned against the basin of the pedestal sink and waited her out. “Rach, c’mon.”
“What’s going to happen to us?” A mist clouded my sister’s pretty blue eyes, and I wondered if she’d heard Collin’s conversation with his parents.
“Andy accepted an offer from RDA last night,” I told her, and given her expression of surprise, I guessed hadn’t heard yet. “You and all the guys are going to be big rock stars.”
Hopefully. The talent level in the group was there and then some, but Andy worried me. There was the issue of the merch money, and now he’d signed an intent without getting everyone’s permission beforehand.
That was reckless.
Sure, once the actual contract was signed, it would give Rachel some financial security. Her current situation might have factored in his decision. He cared about her. But though he might have good intentions when it came to her, I had doubts about his judgment. What would happen to her, Collin, or Barry the next time Andy made decisions for the group without consulting them all?
I let out a breath. I couldn’t waste time thinking about possibilities down the line. I had plenty of trouble right now. With no funds, worry was a luxury I couldn’t afford. I needed to act.
I knew what I had to do, and I needed to do it before I lost my nerve.
“That’s good, I guess.” Rachel looked up at me, hope easing the tension around her eyes. “So, we can use the money from the label to rent an apartment?”
“No, I’m afraid not.” I swallowed hard. “You won’t see any up-front money until you sign the actual contract. And with you underage, you can’t sign it, and I can’t sign it for you until I’m old enough to apply to be your guardian.”
“That’s only a couple of weeks from now.” Her eyes bright, Rachel pressed her lips together. “So, we have to lay low until you turn eighteen.”
“Right.” I nodded.
“But we can’t stay here.”
“No, we can’t,” I said.
Breakfast was great. Collin’s family was nice, but his parents had been firm, telling me at breakfast that I had to go to the police.
“Where are we going to go?” Gazing at me with complete trust that humbled me, Rachel tilted her head, her blond hair spilling over one slender shoulder. “You have a plan, right?”
“I have an idea.” One I wasn’t sure would work.
“That crease is back between your brows.” She reached up and attempted to smooth it away with the pad of her thumb. “We’ll make it work, Addy. Whatever is necessary,” she said firmly. “Like you said last night.
I didn’t speak, just wrapped my arms around my sister and drew her close. “You and me, Rach, whatever happens.”
“And Collin.” She peered up at me. “He’s so into you.”
“We can’t involve Collin.”
“Why not?”
“Shh.” I put a finger over my lips and shut the door. “Because I can’t put Collin in a position where he has to choose between me and his parents.”
He had a home and parents who loved him. I wasn’t going to ruin that for him.
