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“Why was there glass on the floor?”
“A cup fell.”
I ball the front of his shirt into my fist. “You have two seconds to tell me the fucking truth or—” I raise my other fist. Please, give me a reason to make your nose more crooked.
“It wasn’t me. My girl, Candy, got into a fight with Paige and a glass fell. Candy pushed her and she hit the glass.”
I can barely comprehend what he’s saying. He brought a girl over? “What the fuck were you doing? Watching?”
He swallows. “Trying to stop it.”
“Bullshit.” I shove him back so hard he falls into the dirt.
He stands to dust himself, flipping his blond hair like it will make him look intimidating. “You know what? Screw you, Brody. Your house is full of psychos, so I’m happy to leave. I want my rent back, too. You better—”
I turn and head to the front door.
“Hey, stop. I need my stuff.”
“Guess it’s mine now.” I slam the door behind me, flipping the lock.
Troy pounds against the fake wood. “Give me my car keys and wallet!”
Only so he’ll go away and leave us in peace, I bundle as much of his shit as I can in my arms, open the front door, and then toss it all to the dirt.
He picks through the pile. “Hey, where’s my—”
“One minute and I’m calling the cops. Leave.” I stare down at him from the porch, heat burning through my muscles.
A shotgun clicks across the street. “Trouble here?” Frank calls to me.
I raise an eyebrow at Troy, and he hangs his head. “No trouble. I’m leaving.”
I wait until his car drives away before I wave to Frank. He nods and goes inside. Next, I dial Miguel. It takes a few rings before he answers with a groggy, “Hello?”
“Don’t let Troy stay with you because I know he’s headed to your place. I’ll explain tomorrow, but do not let that asshole in your house.”
“Brody? Sure. Yeah, I won’t.” He yawns. “Looking forward to hearing this story.”
I disconnect. When I get inside, Amber and Paige are still on the kitchen floor. Amber is curled on Paige’s lap crying while Paige rubs circles in her shoulder.
I wait a minute for the adrenaline to subside. I’m ready to pound the punching bag like I wanted to pound Troy’s face. Bringing a girl over when I told him not to. Who knows how a fight broke out. His girl must’ve done something horrible to make Paige fight. She’s the most caring woman I’ve ever met. Look at her. Amber and I ditched her on a Friday night, Troy’s chick assaulted her, and she got injured. Then she spent the last two days scared and cautious and probably pissed at me and Amber.
She deserves comfort right now. To yell at me for bringing Troy here against my better judgment. To make me grovel and suffer for how cold I acted. To chew Amber out for blowing her off to go party, which is where I assume Amber went.
But no. She’s on the floor consoling my sister like her own hurt feelings can wait. How does she do it? How is she so strong?
I squat and encourage Amber to sit up. “Come on. Let’s go to bed.”
“Please forgive me,” she sobs at Paige. “I didn’t know you’d get hurt. I’m sorry for leaving. I promise I won’t ever leave again. I didn’t know you’d get hurt. I can’t lose you. I’m a horrible friend. I’m a horrible person. I don’t deserve you. I deserve nothing. Please forgive me. I’m so sorry.”
Paige hugs her and then kisses her forehead.
I help Amber to her feet. “Take a sleeping pill,” I say. “And turn off your alarm so you can sleep in tomorrow.”
She sniffs and reluctantly leaves Paige, letting me guide her down the hallway to her room. She swallows an over-the-counter pill, then fiddles with her phone alarm. I cover her with a blanket and kiss her forehead, just like Paige did. “I love you,” I say. “Everything will be better in the morning.”
“Stupid. Don’t kiss me,” she responds, but I can hear the smile in her voice.
