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She answers with the two words I was dreading. “It’s Pete.”
I squeeze my eyes shut and rub the bridge of my nose. “What happened this time?”
“He got kicked out of school, and he’s damn lucky the other kid’s parents didn’t press charges.”
I remember being seventeen. Your body is basically going through hell every single day, hormones raging, no idea what to do with the feelings and the random anger that springs up sometimes. At least, it did for me. Considering Pete’s life has been a lot like mine was, it wouldn’t surprise me that he’s battling the same shit I did. Always feeling like he’s on the outside, looking in. Like everybody else gets to live a normal life with a normal family, but not him. We have too much in common for me to react with anything but sadness. Anger might come up later, but not yet.
“Where is he? You need me to talk to him?” Sometimes, that’s all that will get through to him. Talking to me. It’s kind of a big responsibility, but he is the only family I’ve got, even if we aren’t related by blood.
“You’ll be talking to him when you pick him up at the airport.”
“When I what?” I snap. “What are you telling me?”
“I did the only thing I could think to do, Ryder. I’m sorry, but sometimes these are the choices we need to make. I put him on a plane first thing this morning. I’ve been trying to get a hold of you ever since, but of course —"
“The time difference.” I check the time now and find that it’s past nine. “Shit. When does he land?”
“Ten-thirty your time.”
“I don’t know what you want me to do.”
“Being out here is no good for him, Ryder. You had hockey. He has nothing to take his mind off things. It’s difficult for him to make friends. He doesn’t want to talk to anybody around the house. You’re the only person he’s ever trusted and respected and listened to.”
I know she’s right, but that doesn’t make it any easier to wrap my mind around this. What the hell am I supposed to do with a seventeen-year-old?
I’m still asking myself that question on the way to the Palm Springs airport. I should get there in time to pick him up without giving him the chance to wander around too much. Not like I can’t trust him to handle himself in an airport, but still. The kid’s never been on a plane by himself in his life, and he’s never been out here. It’s a whole different world. I should know, after all.
I barely recognize the tall, skinny kid waiting at the baggage claim. His profile is the same, though, and so is the sandy blond hair that could use a cut. He even stands like he’s got a grudge against the world, but I know the truth. He’s scared shitless. Again, I should know.
“Yo, asshole.” I give him a shove from behind and he whirls on me before letting out a relieved sigh. He then gives me one of those awkward half hugs guys give each other all the time.
“I’m sorry about this. It wasn’t my idea.”
“Don’t worry about it. Let’s just get your bags and I’ll take you home.” But it isn’t home. Not for him. Hell, I wasn’t even planning on it being my home for much longer. I was ready to pack the place up and move on, and now I’ve got a teenager to take care of.
“Wow. It’s so warm.” His head swings back-and-forth once we’re outside the airport on the way back to the car. “Is it like this all the time?”
“It’s hot as hell in summer, but this is nice. Better than Boston, I guess.”
“Yeah, it was freezing when I got on the plane.” He laughs softly as I drop his single bag into the trunk. That’s all he brought with him. “Isn’t it crazy how you can get on a plane and end up in a different world?”
“What put you on the plane? What happened?”
“I don’t want to talk about it.” He gets in the car and closes the door harder than he needs to, which sets my teeth on edge. Of all times for this to happen. I’m not exactly feeling patient.
Once I’m behind the wheel, I ask again. “What happened? You’re out here with me now. I think I deserve to know why.”
“The same old shit. These assholes at school, always talking shit. I told the prick to keep his mouth shut, but he didn’t want to. So I shut it for him.”
“How?”
“I kicked his ass, that’s how. What do you think? He needed stitches and everything.”
“I know you don’t sound proud of what you did. I know that’s not what I’m hearing, right?”
“I don’t know what you want me to say.”
“How about we start with you promising not to do anything like that again?”
