“I’m sorry,” I blurt, forcing everyone’s head to snap in my direction. “I didn’t know it’d be a big deal. I’m sorry I opened the window.”
Milo looks away, giving me nothing in return. His shoulder blades flex as if ripples of pain are flowing down his back.
“Jamie, it’s okay,” Mrs. Nelson whispers, moving my way. She nudges me toward the stairs. “Why don’t you go upstairs and get ready for bed?”
“Shouldn’t I...?”
Mrs. Nelson shakes her head, ushering me away. “It’s okay. There’s nothing for you to do. It’s not your fault.”
“Umm, okay.” My legs are wobbly as I take the stairs. I keep my gaze over my shoulder, waiting for Milo to look my way.
He doesn’t.
It’s like he’s cemented in that spot.
My heart breaks in two. The reality sets in that he’ll do anything to avoid me.
Kai moves up the stairs with me. “Don’t take it personally,” he says as we move into the upstairs living room. “He’s just obsessed with that cat.”
I bite my lip, willing the tears back into their ducts. “Even you knew not to let the cat out.”
Kai shrugs. “Because I live here and have been through this rodeo before.”
I glimpse the stairs and mutter, “You really put in the effort for Milo.”
Kai snorts. “Hello? He’s my brother. Of course, I care.”
I plonk on the couch and throw my head into my hands. “I just feel so bad.”
“I bet you ten bucks the cat will be scratching at the back door, waiting to be let in.”
I look up and cross my fingers. “I hope you’re right.”
Kai kneels beside me. “How are you doing, anyway? You were already hit with a massive revelation tonight.”
A weighted sigh exhausts out of me. “Aw, crap. I’d actually forgotten about Coach. Oh, gosh. How do I face him at school tomorrow?”
“I can be with you when you tell him.”
I massage my forehead as a sting of tension fires its way into my skull. “How do I tell him?”
Kai pulls me into his arms. “You’ll find a way. It’s Coach.”
I nod against his shoulder and then pull away. “I need a shower and then hours of sleep.”
Kai stands, giving me room to move away. “I hope you can sleep. If you can’t, I’ll stay up with you and play video games to keep your mind off it.”
I smile at him with appreciation. “Thanks for everything, Kai. You really are the greatest friend I could ever ask for. Will you apologize again to Milo for me?”
“James, you don’t need to…”
“Please.”
He sighs and nods. “Okay. I will.”
“Thanks.”
After dragging myself to the shower and letting the hot water vaporize all my troubles, I found Kai was right. Sleep didn’t come easy. No matter how tired I am, I toss and turn all night in bed. My head pounds with thoughts of Milo. He was so angry he couldn’t look at me.
