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Hunter wished the same thing because maybe then Michael could explain it to him.
Michael was still studying him. “What happened the other night? After we went to get your stuff—I thought you’d loosen up a bit. But it’s like the opposite happened.”
The other night. Michael’s promise to repay his grandfather.
The carnival. So much Kate that he almost blushed now, remembering.
The fire. Calla. The gunshot.
For an instant he wanted to tell Michael everything, just so he wouldn’t have to carry it all on his own. He just wanted to crumple on these wooden boards and let all this anxiety and worry and anger and rage pour down the steps.
But the memory of his father was still too fresh, and he could only imagine how his dad would react to him breaking down. Especially with someone he was supposed to hate.
Buck up, Hunter. It’s not anyone else’s responsibility to solve your problems.
Besides, how would that go? “Well, Michael, I’m glad you’re leaving town, because I’m about ready to screw you all over. Mind if I cry on your shoulder for a sec?”
Yeah. Sure.
He’d already lost it once, and he wouldn’t do it again.
“Nothing happened,” he said.
“Well, then, there’s a whole lot of that nothing rattling around inside your skull.”
“Was there a point to this conversation?”
Michael’s eyes flashed, and Hunter braced for more lecturing, but the oldest Merrick simply picked up his coffee. “Can you help with a job on Sunday?”
Hunter blinked, suddenly off balance. He wasn’t sure if he was relieved the grilling was over—or disappointed.
Like it mattered. “Sure.”
“Don’t forget this time, all right? Nick and Chris said they’d help, too, but it’s a big job, and I don’t want to lose the income.”
He didn’t want to lose the income. Probably stocking up for the big move. But what could he say? Hunter forced words past his lips. “I won’t forget.”
Chris’s and Gabriel’s doors were closed when Hunter climbed the stairs, only darkness visible under the doors, but light flooded the hallway from Nick’s room. Hunter half knocked before entering.
Nick was reading a paperback, something with an old-fashioned painting on the cover. Had to be a school assignment. He looked up when Hunter came in. “Hey.”
Hunter dropped his backpack next to the air mattress, beside the two plastic crates. “Hey.” He paused, trying to get a read on the feeling in the room. The air told him nothing, but Nick’s voice had carried the slightest edge. “Reading for school?”
“Yeah.” He held up the book.
“Heart of Darkness?” Hunter bent to unlace his shoes. “I think I’d use Wikipedia for that one.”
“Sounds about right.” Nick turned back to his book.
Hunter almost wished he’d left his shoes on. “What’s with the attitude?”
“I had to help Mike dig an irrigation trench because you didn’t show up.”
“Sounds like your problem.” Hunter felt his voice gain an edge.
Now Nick looked up. “You’re going to pick a fight because you screwed up?”
Hunter hesitated. “I’m sorry. I got caught up in something. I didn’t know you’d get stuck with it.”
