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My brothers throw out excuses: work, school or tired. I say nothing.
I shove at the enchilada on my plate. The last thing I want touching my raw throat is anything spicy.
“Rachel,” Mom says. “Are you feeling okay? You’ve got circles under your eyes. ”
Every single person gawks at me, including my father. “I’m fine. ”
No one drops their gaze. In fact, no one eats. Dad leans his elbows on the white tablecloth as he studies me closer. “Your mom is right. You don’t have your typical bounce. ”
No, I don’t. I’m exhausted and worn and on the verge of collapsing. I’m mad at my brothers, I’m pretty sure they’re angry with me, and my boyfriend and I are going to get our butts kicked by Eric when we can’t pay him five thousand dollars.
“She’s been overpreparing for that speech on Saturday, right, Rach?” Gavin shoves a forkful of rice into his mouth.
“I want to make everyone proud,” I say. At the word proud, Gavin glances away.
With the mere mention of her event, Mom fills everyone in on the details. How every seat is sold and how there is a waiting list and how five hundred people will be attending. My stomach cramps. Eric may not be an issue after all since this speech will possibly kill me first.
* * *
I escaped after dessert, asking Dad in front of everyone for permission to go to Abby’s. Understanding that I probably wasn’t going to hang with my new “rich” friend and was instead going to hang with Isaiah, Ethan and West slammed their silverware. My mother raised an eyebrow at their behavior, but said nothing. Once Dad confirmed I had finished homework, he told me to be home by ten.
Isaiah texted earlier today that he had work to do in the garage this evening. Needing to be someplace calm, I park next to the auto shop. I scan the lot and wonder if he went home when I don’t see his car. The puzzle is solved when I walk into the garage. In the bay, the hood to his Mustang is open and so are the doors. “Isaiah?”
I’m greeted by the buzzing of the overhead heaters. Isaiah mentioned that he was concerned about his engine overheating. I look to see what he’s done, and I rub my eyes. No.
A weariness overtakes me. A weariness that sleep could never solve.
I hit my hand against the open passenger door in my haste to peer inside the vehicle. In the backseat are two tanks of nitro. The door to the garage squeaks open. Isaiah’s eyes meet mine, and I swear I hear my heart ripping in two when I spot guilt.
“What are you doing here?” Isaiah asks.
I say nothing. We both know how bad this is—how this borders on a betrayal that is unspeakable.
Isaiah tugs at his bottom earring—a sure sign of inner turmoil. The silence builds between us and I’m the first to crack. “Did Abby get two systems?”
“No,” he says.
Red-hot tears of anger well in my eyes. “I thought we agreed. . . ”
He cuts me off. “We didn’t agree. You and Logan wanted the system in your car, and I didn’t. End of story. ”
Isaiah doesn’t argue. How many times has he told me that? “So what? I don’t get a vote? You aren’t the only one on the line here. Eric is coming after me, too. ”
A string of curses leaves his mouth as he stalks over to me. “Every second of my day is consumed with the knowledge that you’re under him. I’m doing this to protect you. ”
“By lying to me?”
Isaiah seems taken aback. “I didn’t lie. ”
The first stupid tear breaks through and I quickly wipe it away. “You knew I expected you to put the system in my car. Regardless that you never said the words, it’s a lie. ” My mind reels with the implications of what’s happened. “It’s worse than a lie. This is major. You made a decision without me. ”
“That’s bull. You, Logan, Abby and I discussed the options. ”
“But you decided our fate without me. ” My hand pounds at my chest. “I thought we were a team. I thought we were partners. ”
Isaiah places his hands on my shoulders. His gray eyes are waves crashing between anger and fear. “I don’t have much, Rachel, and I refuse to lose you. ”
“I told you, I won’t ever touch the system. It’ll only be used on the dragway. We’ll take it out after we pay the debt. ”
