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She drummed her fingers on her thigh, waiting, and when no one answered, she wondered if he left for school without her. Who could blame him?
She waited another moment, then raised her finger to ring the bell again when she heard a man’s voice through the door.
“Is that her? I told you I don’t think it’s a good idea to get involved with someone right now.”
Abigail frowned, her finger poised midair.
“It’s not like that.” Kaden’s muffled voice floated out to her. “I hardly know her. We’re just classmates. Friends, at best.”
“Yeah, just friends.” The man’s voice continued, “That’s how your mother and I started out too. Just friends are the worst kind.”
“Seriously? You do know there are toddlers with a better social life than me. I don’t think it’s the worst thing to have a friend I actually see on occasion outside of school.”
“You have the rest of your life to have a social life,” his father said. “But you only have one chance to prepare for your future. Once that’s gone, that’s it. No going back. No do-overs. Girls and buddies will be there once you’re done with school.”
A resounding sigh followed, chased by silence.
Had they stopped arguing, or was she simply unable to hear?
She shuffled forward until the tops of her sneakers touched the chipped paint on the front door and pressed her ear against the cool wood, straining to hear.
“She was super tight with her grandmother. She lost her to cancer last week, just like Mom. I’m helping her since I know what it’s like. Yesterday, I brought her calculus notes and helped her with it. She’s returning the favor by driving me to school. That’s it. You need to take it down a notch.”
“Listen, I’m sorry,” his father said. “I’m not trying to be mean. A girl just isn’t worth risking everything you’ve worked so hard for. You go to school in the fall. A relationship right now doesn’t make sense.”
Abby felt the heat of blush rise to her cheeks, even while she knew it was ridiculous to be embarrassed. It’s not like they knew she was out there, which brought up another issue. What should she do? Knock again or bail before anyone found out she overheard them? Maybe “forgetting” to pick Kaden up was best since it was clear his father wanted him to have nothing to do with a girl. She didn’t like thinking of herself as a complication. Though, right now, complicated aptly described her life.
Taking a step back, she denied herself the twinge of disappointment at not getting to see him this morning. Despite her better judgment, she enjoyed being around him, even if his presence unnerved her.
With a heavy heart, she whirled around and nearly jumped out of her skin.
A little girl stood in front of her. Her brown hair had been woven haphazardly into two braids, and she blinked back at Abby with brown eyes that could’ve been direct transplants of Kaden’s. In her hand, she clutched a piece of blue chalk.
Catching her breath, Abby inhaled, trying to slow her racing heart. “You scared the crap out of me.”
The little girl scratched her nose, leaving behind a smudge of blue. “Crap’s a bad word.”
“What?”
“Crap. It’s just a replacement for the s-word, so you really shouldn’t say it.”
Abby crossed her arms over her chest. “It’s not that bad. Who told you that anyway?”
“My brother.” The little girl squinted into the sunlight behind her.
“Is your brother Kaden?”
“Yeah. Were you evedrooping?”
Abigail swallowed. “You mean, eavesdropping?”
“Yeah, that’s what I said.”
Abby stammered. “Uh, no. I, uh, I rang the doorbell, and no one answered so I was just trying to see if anyone was home.” She flashed the girl a smile, hoping she was easily fooled. How embarrassing would it be if she told Kaden she caught her listening to their conversation—about her!
“By putting your ear on the door?” She cocked her head and eyed Abigail like she had three heads. The girl was no fool.
Abby bit her lip, readying herself for a ridiculous attempt at a counterargument when she heard the door behind her open, followed by Kaden’s voice. “Sophie! What are you doing out here? Dad’s waiting to take you to school. Come on.”
