“Yeah, it’s no big deal.” I cover up my annoyance with a smile.
“If they’re that identical, it’s too bad you can’t use the twin to help with your family while Justin works.”
Before I can tell Vivian that Justin suggested that very thing, her phone rings. “Back to work!” she calls as she runs to her desk. She slides into her chair as she answers, “Mountain Management. This is Vivian.”
It’s weird that Vivian mentioned the same twin exchange that Justin did. Where is everybody getting this idea? WasThe Parent Trapon TV this weekend?
Another text comes in from my mom, and I pick up my phone.
Mom:So, I’ll plan on you and Vivian tonight.
Janet Stanworth is relentless.
Summer:No, it will be me and Justin.
Even as I push send, I know my lie is a bad idea, especially after I just promised Vivian that I would ignore my family and focus on what I have with Justin. But it’s like I can’t stop trying to make him look good in front of my mom. And half of me is still holding out hope that Justin will come.
Mom:Great. I can’t wait to see him.
It’s almost like she knows I’m lying. That’s why I open the text thread between me and Justin. Since our fight Monday night, he’s texted a bunch of times, telling me he’s sorry and that if I can just be patient with him, everything will work out. And he’s right. It will all work out. But that doesn’t stop me from sending him one last passive-aggressive text. I must’ve learned this tactic from my mom.
Summer:Hey! Just thinking about you. I’m getting ready to leave the office and am so excited I don’t have to see this place for a few days. If you need a break from work tonight or if you’re hungry, stop by my parents' house. We’ll have pizza and salad. You don’t have to stay long. Just come say hi. *kiss emoji*
I push send, hoping the flirty emoji keeps Justin from feeling irritated with me.
Justin:I had pizza for lunch. But thanks, though. I’ll see you tomorrow. *kiss emoji*
His flirty emoji doesn’t stop me from feeling irritated.
eight
CALEB
I diganother scoop of Rocky Road ice cream out of the carton and drop it into my bowl. Yesterday’s grocery shopping was the best thing I’ve done with my time since I arrived at Justin’s house. Besides Cinnamon Toast Crunch, the cupboards were bare of edible food. There were healthy options, but ‘tis the season to be merry, and junk food makes me merry. Plus, I finally have my appetite back from the altitude sickness.
“I need to get the oil changed in my Bronco,” I say to Justin as I put the container back in the freezer. The car has been sitting untouched at my parents’ house for the last year. It might even need more than an oil change, but we’ll start with that. “Do you have someone in town you like?”
“Uh…” Justin sounds distracted, and it’s not until I walk out of the kitchen with my bowl of ice cream that he actually finishes his thought. “Lane’s dad owns a shop. That’s where I take my car.” He says the whole sentence while squinting at his computer screen.
“Okay.” My spoon brushes against my lips as the chocolate ice cream melts onto my tongue. “Who the heck is Lane? Should I know him?” I don’t know why I would. My parents moved here three years ago, and I’ve only visited four times. I don’t know anyone.
Justin nods toward his phone beside him on the table. “His contact is in my phone underLane’sdad.”
Dropping into the seat next to him, I pick up the phone, adjusting it in one hand while still holding the bowl of ice cream in the other. I stare at the screen, seeing if the facial recognition will work on me. It does. My identical face unlocks the device perfectly.
“Lane’s dad,” I say to myself as I set the bowl down and swipe through his phone. I’m midway through the J’s on his contact list when a text from Summer pops up. Actually, it’s a picture, a selfie of her and an uncooked turkey still in its packaging, but the picture on the pop-up is too small to really see what’s happening, so I click on the text. Her wide smile and red lipstick fill the screen. I stare for a second, noticing how her hair is flipped way past her part—I’m sidetracked, wondering how it got there and liking the wildness of it. My eyes drift to her pilgrim earrings, and my lips lift a little. She’s gone away from Christmas, paying homage to Thanksgiving. Now I’m wondering how many pairs of Thanksgiving earrings she owns and what day she’ll go back to wearing Christmas-themed ones.
I exit out of the picture but not their text thread. It’s not snooping when your brother hands you his phone. I read over the last few texts.
Summer:Hey! Just thinking about you. I’m getting ready to leave the office and am so excited I don’t have to see this place for a few days. If you need a break from work tonight or if you’re hungry, stop by my parents' house. We’ll have pizza and salad. You don’t have to stay long. Just come say hi. *kiss emoji*
Justin:I had pizza for lunch. But thanks, though. I’ll see you tomorrow. *kiss emoji*
“Dude, you’re such a jerk.” I backhand smack Justin’s shoulder with the flick of my fingers.
He leans away from my slap. “What?”
“I had pizza for lunch?” My head shakes as I stare back at him, disgusted.
