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She snubbed out the cigarette then waved away my words. “Don’t worry. I know you’ll get your grades up.”
I frowned, and she rolled her eyes.
“My dad keeps me informed of your progress. I know you’ll get it under control.” She rolled her neck, cracking it, which she did when she was stressed.
“What’s going on? You look exhausted, and with Shane and me out of the house, I would’ve thought you could cut your bills.” With us at school, she didn’t have to pay as much for electricity or groceries. That one was the worst, but she refused to let us help out. We tried to sneak food into the fridge sometimes, but she would get upset, saying that our job was school and sports, hers was to work and pay the bills, and she didn’t appreciate us trying to do her job for her. I loved that about Mom. Even though she was a rebel, she had a good head on her shoulders and had always made sure we were taken care of above everything else.
And soon, it would be my turn to do that—for her, Aspen, and the baby. “We should probably go in before Grandad has to come out here and get us for dinner.” Mom shuddered.
Yeah, I didn’t want to deal with that either. I still needed to tell her about the baby and Aspen, but that window had closed. I would tell her soon before Shane opened his big mouth. Normally, my brother was good for keeping secrets, but because of the lie I’d told Tracey, I wasn’t sure if he would get back at me. Telling our family about the baby before I could would definitely accomplish that.
I suffered through dinner then got in the car with Shane to head back to school while Mom went in the other direction, toward home. Once we were on the highway, I tried to talk to him. “Where’ve you been lately?” I missed my brother, and not just because he could help me with classes.
“Just taking care of some personal stuff.”
He isn’t going to talk to me? Fine. I’ll keep all the mess in my life to myself too. Not that he asked.
Throughout dinner, Shane had been quiet too. It was probably about a chick, and he didn’t want Grandad to know. Couldn’t blame him. There were lots of things I didn’t want Grandad to know.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
ASPEN
Ithrew an envelope filled with money onto my desk. “If Phoenix sends me one more of these, I’ll shove them up his ass.” There was even more cash than the last time.
“I think you should keep it.” Max set his sketchbook on the bed, mischief dancing in lined eyes. “You deserve it for carrying the devil’s spawn. The kid’s horns are probably gonna tear up your uterus.”
I grunted then fell onto the small mattress next to him. He put his arm around me, and I leaned against him. He’d been calling Phoenix the devil since our run-in at the coffee shop, making jokes about him left and right.
“I don’t want anything from him. I’m giving the money back.”
“Listen to me, baby girl.” Max hugged me tight, resting the side of his head against the top of mine. “You know you’re going to need stuff for the kid. My older sister has kids, and she has one of those baby front packs, some bouncy thing, a jumping saucer thing with toys all around it, a swing, crib, diapers, and formula. None of it was cheap. Take the money. He owes you.”
I covered my face with my hands. “I haven’t thought that far ahead. I’ll need a place to stay and probably a babysitter, too, so I can try and go to class. I don’t know. I might have to drop out.”
“Don’t think that far ahead.” Max shook his head. “Let’s just go with what we know. You’re going to need some stuff. He’s giving you money. We’re using that, and if you need more to pay for a place to live, then we’ll hit him up for more. You’re not alone in this. Let him help you, at least financially.”
“I hate relying on others. Besides my sister, I never have before. But… my school bill is higher from losing the diving scholarship.” I supposed I could hold onto the money and use it only if absolutely necessary. I didn’t make that much at the diner. Not enough.
“Then it’s decided. You’re keeping the devil’s money.”
It bothered me. I didn’t like taking handouts. Even though what Max said made sense. I could accept only some of the money for the baby, but that was it. Maybe a tiny bit if I couldn’t make my school bills, but I would pick up extra shifts and do everything I could before I gave in and did that. I had to admit that it was nice to know a safety net was there.
I shook my head. “I’m giving some of it back. I’m keeping only enough to provide for the baby's necessities and ensure that I don’t end up homeless.” He’d given me way more money than I would need.
“If it makes you feel better, put what you don’t think you’ll need into a savings account for the kid.”
“That’s not a bad idea. But I’m going to tell Phoenix to stop giving me these envelopes.” I didn’t like it. “If I can get the big jerk to pay attention to me.”
Max snorted a laugh. “The guy can’t take his eyes off you.”
“I’ve run into him on campus twice. Once, he pretended he was reading something on his phone and passed without looking up. And the other time, when I was leaving class, he was waiting outside another room, probably for whatever chick is shining his Heisman these days.” I was embarrassingly aware of how jealous I sounded. And I was. There was a crazy attraction between us, and I even liked how he wanted to take care of me. But I had to question how much of that was because he was into me versus him wanting to make sure our baby was okay. It bothered me. And when he opened his mouth, we had problems.
“If he is paying attention to another girl, we’ll find ways to make his life very difficult. But I genuinely don’t think he sees anyone but you.”
I wasn’t so sure. But it helped that Max understood—of course he did. He was that cliché, the perfect guy hidden inside a gay best friend. I was lucky to have become friends with him.
“I was dating a total smoke show before Joel. Did I ever tell you about Bruce?”
