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“You already have two jobs,” she pointed out. “Working at Leather and Ink and your web design business.”
“A third job, then. Leather and Ink is great, Laura’s awesome, but let’s face it, an hourly retail job won’t cut it anymore.”
“And the web design business?”
“I’m struggling to find clients. I was supposed to start working on a website for a small marketing firm, but she might cancel the project because of the budget.”
“Might cancel?” Brooklyn frowned.
“Might, as in, if I come down in my pricing, I can still have the job,” I said bitterly.
“Ah.” Brooklyn nodded. “Doesn’t want to pay you what you’re worth.”
“Yeah.” I rubbed my temple.
“Take it from me, you’re better off waiting for the clients that don’t complain about your rate. Those that can afford you are the ones who also know your true value. They pay more and bother you less. It sounds counter-intuitive, but it’s true.”
“I know you’re right. In the long run it’s better. Short term though…which is why I need another job. I can wait tables or something. I don’t care what it is. I just need a few shifts a week that bring in more cash. But then I worry about leaving Waverly at night.”
“You can’t keep her under lock and key. And you certainly can’t be there every moment of every day,” she said.
“I know, but right now, I need to be. I never thought my sister would be the troublemaker. But here we are.”
“I’ll bet she calms down,” Brooklyn said.
“After she pranks the principal and gets expelled?” I asked morosely.
“No. I bet she calms down now that she has something to keep her busy. It’s the first hint of stability you all have had in a while, right?”
“Yeah, but she’s still living in a rental with her sister because her mom bailed on her.”
“That might be the elevator pitch, but it’s not the whole story. She needs attention in a way that she wasn’t getting from the most important person in her life.”
“Yeah, but Angel is gone now and—”
Brooklyn sighed. “I’m talking aboutyou.”
“Me?”
“Waverly adores you. You have to know that. All she’s ever wanted was your time and attention.”
“I gave it to her,” I protested. “Any time she needed anything, I was there. Besides, if she really needs me, then why did she get a boyfriend and not tell me about him?”
“Because she was worried about what you’d think.”
“This is complicated.”
“Doesn’t have to be. Look, Waverly learned early in life that her mom is a crappy mom. I can say that having had my own crappy mom. Let’s face it, they’re the type of women you have to survive. But this is a chance for you and Waverly to really bond. To lean on each other. She wants to be taken seriously.”
“Then maybe she shouldn’t sneak out to illegal parties like a child.”
“Don’t you get it,” Brooklyn said with a sudden smile. “She’s trying to be you.”
“Me? But I don’t go to illegal parties.”
“No.” She cocked her head to the side. “But you do call two bikers your best friends. Willa look…to her, you’re the girl that runs with the bad boys. She thinks you’re cool. Of course, she wants to emulate you. Why do you think she takes your clothes and wears them?”
“If Waverly wants to be like me so much, then why is her boyfriend seemingly a good guy? He didn’t even want to go to the party, but he knew she was going with or without him, so he went to protect her.”
