Page 15

She nods, slow. “I have. And I can’t wait to see Terrible Trixie out again.”

I groan.

“Ughhh. Don’t remind me. She and I are not aligned. On our morals. On our ethics. On our taste in men.”

Sydney giggles. “She’s so much more fun than you are.”

“Hey! I’m fun.”

“You’re fun,” Sydney agrees. “But Terrible Trixie does shots with me. Therefore, objectively, more fun.”

“Terrible Trixie is dead.”

Sydney accepts the hot chocolate and lifts it in a toast.

“That’s what they say before the resurrection.”

Chapter Five

Cal

Itake my jacket off in the hall as Mom comes around the corner, radiating all the enthusiasm I’ve come to expect from my parents.

Zilch.

The feeling is mutual, Mother.

“Callum.”

“Hi, Mom.”

“You look thin.” Her thin lips form a frown.

I glance down at my arms. I’m not being arrogant when I say there is very little risk of them being described as thin.

“Compared to who? The Rock?”

“Hm.” Is all she says. Ah. Good to be home.

Drew is at the kitchen counter with a sandwich the size of his face. He lifts a hand and says heythurbro through about a quarter pound of turkey.

I sit at the counter, and Mom puts coffee in front of me without asking. It’s an almost loving action. I thank her and hold the hot cup in my hands.

“How’s school?”

“Good.”

“Are you keeping up?” She raises one brow.

“Yes, I’m keeping up.”

“Your father and I have been talking.” She wipes an already spotless section of counter. “We just want to say how pleased we are that you’re settling down. Going to college. Putting the music thing to the side for now.” She waves her hands around.

I close my eyes for a second, taking a breath. “Thanks, Mom.”

“It’s the right decision.”

“Yup.”