Page 71 of Hooked on Trouble

Dead air drops between us, then, “I need an alibi for last night.”

I squint at my jean-clad knees and chew my lip. Last night? The night I spent on Nico’s couch and in his tub and under his sheets. “Weren’t you at work? Can’t they vouch for you?”

Rose mumbles something like back off from a distance. A few crackles later, she says, “I only had one delivery to make. I didn’t feel like hanging at home alone, so I walked around for a while and didn’t get back ’til late. All I need is for you to say we spent the night together.”

“But I spent the night with Nico.” My words are so quiet, she asks me to repeat them. But I don’t. She doesn’t know what she’s asking. Nico isn’t some meathead who won’t clue in. If I have to make a statement, it will get back to him. Cops talk. I’ve been to the station a few times to visit him. People know me. If I lie about that night, he has to lie, too.

“Raven, I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t important. They’re saying I was selling crack on Hastings. If I had someone else to go to, I would. But I don’t. It’s just you and me. Always has been.” Another pause. “Please. I could go to jail.”

The word jail doubles my anxiety, but that’s not the part that has the room spinning. It’s just you and me. Always has been. She doesn’t need to remind me she took the beating of a lifetime to keep me safe. It’s in every syllable she speaks. She’s cashing in my debt.

Last week we shared a blanket, lying on either end of the couch eating Fruit Loops. She even braided my hair like when we were kids. If she were dealing drugs, I would have seen a sign. If she were smoking or getting high, I would have noticed. Her eyes have been clear, her spirits relatively high, and creeps from the street always cast nets when drowning.

Not only do I have a debt to repay, but she deserves this second chance. “If I do this, you have to promise you’re clean. That you’re not involved in any way.”

This time there’s no hesitation. “I swear on your stuffed giraffe. I wasn’t anywhere near Hastings last night.”

I smile at the sentiment, even though there’s nothing amusing about this situation. This is do or die. If I don’t trust her now, whatever relationship we’ve forged will be lost, like my stuffed giraffe, Bongo, whose head I ripped off the week after Rose left. I took my fury out on the innocent pile of fluff until the remnants were unsalvageable. Then I held a funeral in our yard. For him. For Rose. I’m either here for her now, or I bury her in my past, too.

I lose my Unconditional Someone.

I can’t. Not when I’ve just found her. Not when everything in my life is falling into place. She wouldn’t ask me if she were guilty, wouldn’t put me in that kind of position. She’s my sister, my blood. She’d do the same for me. She’s done way more for me.

“Fine.” I blink hard. “I’ll do it. Tell the cops you were with me.” But my pulse pounds louder than my Reagan Youth album.

“Thanks, Raven. For everything. I’ll be in touch.”

She hangs up before I can ask if her move out is permanent or how serious the charges are or what being in the wrong place really means. There’s still so much about her present life I don’t know. Aside from a glimpse of a man at my apartment, the only friend of hers I’ve met slammed a door in my face. Based on that fact and her current situation, I’d say my sister needs to rethink her priorities. I gulp, remembering her ex, Russ, saying something similar when I spoke with him. But she came to me for help. She would only do that if she truly wants this fresh start. Now I have to deal with Nico. The man who nearly broke down because he considered lying for Josh.

But that was a bigger deal with other cops involved and forced confessions. This is a small lie for my sister’s safety. A white lie. A lie so insignificant it’s a whisper in the wind. He doesn’t even have to say a thing. Just needs to let me make this choice like he made his. Support me like I would have supported him, no matter what path he chose to follow.

If he loves me, he’ll want to help.

Pacing, I wring my hands and watch the clock, spinning my thoughts, convincing myself he’ll do this thing. The seconds drag. A knock sounds, and my attention snaps to the door.

Please, let him love me.

When I open it, I tilt my head back to see Nico’s eyes. Azure waves of beauty. His gaze is bright, happy, his cut cheekbones rounded with a grin. He slips an arm around my waist and leans down but looks over my shoulder. “Rose home?”

Stressed and flustered, I shake my head.

He kisses me as though he’s starving, deep and thorough, leaving my head in the stars. He tastes like cotton candy and apple juice and giddiness. “Were you at a Princess Party?”

He chuckles against my lips. “Excuse me?”

“Lily had a Princess Party once. Her parents served juice and cupcakes and heaps of candy. We weren’t friends then, but I was a pity invite because I was in her class.”

He kisses me. Once. Twice. “All Mom had to celebrate with was apple juice and these awful Jolly Ranchers. Should I brush my teeth?”

“No. I like you sweet.” I taste him once more and then lead him inside, each step weighting my spirit until it’s dragging along the carpet. A beige mess of nerves. “How is Josh?” I ask. Delay. Delay.

“High as a kite, in a good way. Talked nonstop about that creature school. Colin and Jack kept begging him to make them creepy masks, and Mom was a puddle of tears. Wouldn’t stop hugging him. Nikki, too. Never thought I’d see this day.”

Suppressing my anxiety, I reflect his solace back at him. “Josh deserves this. Your family deserves this. I can’t wait to hug him in person.”

I try to maintain my smile, but my turmoil wins. I look at my feet, at the scuffed toes of my boots that need polishing. He takes my hands, but I don’t glance up. Instead I dig my nails into his palms and bite my lip. If this goes wrong, if he gets angry and turns me down, I could lose Rose.

“You okay?” he asks.