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It was a bit of a shock for me. My father not caving in when I wanted something. So I got off the plane with that awful feeling in my stomach. Something had changed. I had no idea what and it made me jumpy.
Dad waited for me at the airport.
“Where’s Adina?” I asked when we got in the car. I wasn’t exactly interested in his girlfriend’s whereabouts, but I preferred to talk about her than let him ask questions about me.
“With her parents. I told her I wanted to spend Christmas alone with my children.”
“Good call, since she’s younger than some of us…”
My father frowned but said nothing.
The rest of the drive we spent in an awkward chitchat about the weather, Madison and Tyler’s travel to Seattle and, of course, mom. She would soon be released from rehab.
“I talked with the contractor the other day. He thinks they could pull it off around the time your mother gets back. Of course the house would be empty, but you’ll have one bathroom ready to use and a bed. You won’t be able to use the kitchen though.”
I wasn’t sure how I felt about going back to live in that house. But I knew for sure I didn’t want to live with Sylvia anymore. I wondered what dad thought about that. I had three days to find out.
“Worst case scenario,” he continued, “you’ll have to spend a few more nights with the Coles than we originally planned. A week tops. I know you want to leave their house as soon as possible”
Don’t be so sure about that.
We got to his place, and Tyler came out with a huge smile on his face.
“Hey there, little monster,” he hugged me and whispered. “A friendly heads-up. The big monster is on her period or something, so watch it.”
“Great,” I murmured.
I haven’t seen Madison a whole year. We hadn’t talked on the phone. We sent some texts for our birthdays, and she said something once in our group chat with Tyler that I thought was directed to me, but I wasn’t sure, so I just didn’t answer.
“How’s your friend?” my brother asked.
My head snapped towards him. He laughed.
“Relax, I’m not asking about Cole. Although judging by your reaction, maybe I should.”
He stood there waiting for an answer. I glanced at dad who was unloading my suitcase while talking on the phone, probably with Adina…My first instinct was to change the subject or lie. To tell him to mind his own business. But the truth was I felt the need to talk about it.
“He did something.”
“Another girl?”
“More like a hundred,” I snorted. “But it’s not like that. We weren’t together then. We are not together now either.”
“It seemed to me you were headed in that direction on your birthday party,” Tyler frowned.
“Well, you were wrong. But anyway. Promise me you won’t make fun of me.”
Tyler burst out laughing, “No way I’m promising that. I need something to entertain myself for the next couple of days, and your story may be the only thing I got.”
I rolled my eyes.
“Forget it. I’m not telling you anything.”
“Come on. Spill it. I’ll behave.”
“Apparently he scared off everyone that ever wanted to date me. He just told guys to stay away from me.”
I exhaled loudly feeling relieved. I haven’t told that to anyone. Not even Hannah. I was too embarrassed. Too angry. Too confused.
