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He pays her now—most likely because my sister is younger, and I’d guess he’s around my mother’s age. Now, she doesn’t mind as much.
Neither do I.
Sam is handsome. He reminds me of a character from some of the romance novels I shouldn’t check out of the library. He’s tall with dark hair and broad shoulders and maturer than my sister. It’s not unusual for her to date older men, but she’s never brought someone home like Sam. He doesn’t lick his lips or ogle me, making me uncomfortable because my mom won’t buy me a training bra, and my nipples poke through my shirts.
He leans against the doorframe. “Girls who like to read are those with a bright future ahead of them. Their imaginations can take them anywhere.”
I crawl to the edge of the mattress and settle myself Indian-style. “My sister doesn’t like to read.”
He chuckles. “Yes, I am well aware.”
“Why do you like her then?”
Claudia is gorgeous, and even at eighteen, she could pass for someone old enough to get into bars. Mama lets her go with her sometimes, too. Claudia is also mean and selfish, and she isn’t the big sister girls dream of.
“Your sister excels in other areas,” he replies.
“Like sex?”
My response surprises him.
He raises a brow and points to my book. “Keep reading. Excel at that.”
He walks away before I can reply.
The next day, he returns with a box of books—brand-new books!
“These are for you,” he says. “Keep reading, Chloe.”
“Thank you!” I squeal, hastily searching through the box. I grab a copy of a Sarah Dessen book and hug it to my chest. “Thank you so much!” The book hits the floor with a thud when I jump up to give him a hug.
When he leaves, I grab my diary and write about how nice Sam is.
5
Chloe
My stomach fills with dread when I see the name flashing across my phone screen. My finger wavers over the Ignore button for a few seconds but eventually moves to answer it.
I clench the phone in my hand. “Hello?”
“What is wrong with you?” Claudia shrieks on the other line. “Marsha said she saw you having breakfast with Kyle Lane this morning.”
My sister is best known for her overdramatic behavior.
Scratch that.
She’s best known as being a scam artist.
An alcoholic.
An opportunist.
Overdramatic runs in fourth.
“Good morning to you, too,” I grumble, rubbing my forehead.
I can’t share pancakes with someone without it being talked about.Good thing I run the headlines in this town.
