He doesn’t need this as bad as Jimmy does… I’m guessing.
But maybe having a guy like him in the house would be good for Jimmy too.
I know Charli and Darian don’t want me after the roof incident, but they’ll have to get over it.
Shit, I had no idea about their dad. People need to tell me these things.
I kind of hate that I had to threaten to expose them if they didn’t invite me, but sometimes you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do.
I want to move in with these people.
I don’t even know why.
I’ve got a sweet gig right now, but… the idea of living with some of these guys… I don’t know, it just sits right.
I’ve always been a bit of a lone wolf, not wanting to attach myself to anybody, but it’s Jimmy’s sophomore year, and he’s still got a long way to go in finding himself. Living with the guy would be fun, and I could crack that shell around him even more. And Sawyer’s and Charli’s pranks crack me up. Darian can be a douche, but he’s also a good guy.
I can see myself in a house with these people, and it feels like the injection I need to get me fired up for another year at Nolan.
36
JIMMY
I finish off the dishes,then head up to my room to strip the bed and wash the sheets. I want to make sure all the spaces I used in the house are left the way I found them. Ben told me Mac’s got a cleaning crew coming in, but I still want to do my part.
Ineedto do my part. That’s how life works, right? You contribute. You make yourself valuable. I’ve spent my entire life trying to do that.
Neatly folding my clothes, I store them in my bag and then get to work on leaving the room spotless. When I walk downstairs with a bundle of sheets in my arms, I notice that people are still lounging around, not lifting a finger to right this place after the wild party.
Seriously?
Although, I’ve got to admit, they all look super relaxed and… I wonder what that feels like.
“Don’t worry about those, man.” Mac moves toward me. “I’ve got people coming in.”
“I know.” I nod. “Just trying to be helpful.”
Mac gives me a closed-mouth smile, then darts a pointed look at Charli.
She rolls her eyes and turns her back. I have no idea what that’s about, so I turn away to hide my discomfort, heading for the laundry room.
I jolt to a stop when I spot Darian leaning against the doorframe, staring into the space with a sad, angry frown and rubbing the spot where his eyebrow used to be.
I can’t believe Nix did that to him.
Makes me want to stay as far away from her as possible.
Clearing my throat, I indicate my presence, and Darian kind of flinches before standing tall and nodding at me. “Hey, man.”
“Hi.” I’m not sure what else to say, so I just hold up the bundle of linen in my hands.
Darian nods and steps aside, allowing me access to the laundry.
I have no idea why he was standing there staring, but he walks away looking all agitated.
Shaking my head, I load up the machine and get it running, wondering what else I should do before taking my leave.
A few of last night’s partygoers have gone now, and I’m not sure what everyone else is up to throughout the day, but I should probably go. The longer I’m away, the more pissed off my parents will be, and I might as well get this storm over with so I can get back into their good graces and find some peace.
