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I rested my arms against the tiled shower wall, dropped my head and stood under the hot water for ten solid minutes to soothe my aching muscles. When I was done, I pulled on clean jeans and the black AC/DC shirt Ivy gave me for my last birthday, grabbed my dirty laundry and headed back downstairs.
Skylar smiled conspiratorially at me when I sat down on the couch next to her after loading the washing machine. “Are you avoiding Ivy?”
I scooped some popcorn from the bowl in her lap and eyed her. “You think she’s still shitty with me?”
Her smile morphed into a full grin. “Yeah. Of course. She was complaining to Nik that you always eat her Fruit Loops and that you bring the stray cat inside when you know she hates that.”
I grinned back at her. Skye and I always stuck together. Even when I pissed her off, she’d come through for me if I needed her. I’d been seventeen when Margreet fostered her; she’d been two. Six years of me looking out for her and helping Mum raise her meant we shared a special bond.
I shovelled popcorn into my mouth. “Don’t tell her, but sometimes I eat those Fruit Loops just to piss her off.” It usually ended with my hands in her pants. First came her complaints, then the sex.
Skylar raised her brows as if to say she thought I was an idiot. One day she’d understand the dynamics of sex, but if I had my way, that wouldn’t be until she was at least forty. Until then I’d just let her think I had no clue about women.
“Do you think Ivy will ever let you keep Booey inside?”
The stray cat that had wormed his way into my heart a year ago would never find his way into Ivy’s good graces. For one, he was a cranky motherfucker. Even after a year, he greeted me with a hiss before demanding food. When he saw Ivy, she received more than a hiss. He didn’t seem to like anyone but me. And two, she was allergic to cats. Booey, named by Skylar, was destined to live on my front step.
“I doubt it, Skye. He makes her sneeze too much.”
“Can’t she take allergy pills or something?”
I smiled down at her. Th
e kid loved cats. Mum wouldn’t have one at her place, so Skylar looked forward to visiting Booey and me. “It’s not fair for me to expect her to have him inside.”
She smooshed her lips together disapprovingly. “He needs a home. He’s cold outside.”
I ruffled her hair as I put my feet up on the coffee table. Jerking my chin at the cartoons on the television, I asked, “You watching this or can we find something else?”
Her eyes lit up. “You wanna watch wrestling?”
I nodded. “Yeah.” I checked my watch. “Do you know where Mum was going?”
Her hesitation told me she did, but that it was probably supposed to be a secret. “She said not to tell you guys in case she couldn’t make her agree.”
“Make who agree?”
She took a deep breath and exhaled loudly, seemingly torn about telling me. “Fine, I’ll tell you, but don’t tell Ivy, okay?” At my nod, she continued, “She was going over to Bethany’s to ask her to come here.”
Jesus, she’d been gone awhile.
I pulled my phone out and dialled her number. It rang out, so I tried again. After doing this three times, I said, “I’ll be back soon.” Standing and motioning at the television, I added, “Find the wrestling.”
I headed into the kitchen and said to Ivy, “Mum dropped the girls off about two hours ago, right?”
She had her hands in the sink, washing up. Glancing around at me, she nodded. “Yes.” Then, taking in the concern on my face, she asked, “Why? What’s wrong?”
“Skye said she went to see your mum. She’s trying to convince her to come for dinner. But fuck, two hours… she should be here by now.” My gut churned with worry that they’d gotten into it. The situation with Bethany was already bad; I’d be pissed off if that woman tore Mum to pieces more than she already had.
Wiping her hands on a tea towel, she came my way with a smile. “Maybe they’re talking and sorting things out. God, I love your Mum. This is such a sweet thing to do.”
I hadn’t considered that option, but deep down I didn’t believe it to be the case. Dialling Mum’s number again, I put my phone to my ear and hoped to hell she answered and was okay.
When I stabbed at the phone, frustrated, Ivy said, “You want me to call Mum and check on them?”
“Yeah.”
She rummaged in her bag and pulled her phone out.
