Page 134 of A Little Jaded
RAINE
“You still goin’ to Dodger’s performance?” my dad asks as I finish sweeping the front of Etch ‘N’ Ink. It’s late, and we’ve already closed our doors for the night. Ever since my breakdown at his house last weekend, he’s been…great. No kid gloves, though I know it’s killing him. Only open, unfiltered conversations. They even went to Everett’s home game yesterday and cheered him on like lifelong fans. If that isn’t a miracle, I don’t know what is. They also agreed to keep Drake’s connection to Shorty a secret. No need to open old wounds, they told me. It was like music to my ears.
As for my phone? We picked it up from McDonnell a few days ago. They weren’t able to connect it to Drake, though I’m not surprised. He received the restraining order the day after the video was sent. I have no idea how he took it, but I haven’t heard from him since, so maybe there’s some silver lining in this after all. I’m not holding my breath, but every passing day without interference from Drake makes me breathe a little easier.
One day at a time.
“Raine.” My dad snaps his fingers a few inches from my nose. “Did you hear me?”
“Yup.” I stop sweeping and look up at him. “I’m still going to Dodger’s performance.”
“Who’s driving you?”
“Dodge,” I answer.
“No Everett?”
“He didn’t know what time he’d be back from the away game, so he parked his truck on campus and will meet me at SeaBird, which is why Dodge is picking me up.” I check the clock on the wall. “He’s probably already on his way since his concert is supposed to start in about thirty minutes.”
Despite my dad handling the news of Drake surprisingly well, I can tell he doesn’t want to leave me alone. He also doesn’t have much choice. He’s already late.
“You can go,” I urge.
“I can wait until he picks you up.”
“Dad,” I tease. “I’ll be fine, I promise. I’ll even wait inside until he gets here. Sound good?”
“Fine,” he grunts, tossing his arm around my shoulders and giving me a peck on the forehead. “Love you, Rainbow.”
“Love you, too. Have fun babysitting!” My mom and dad would’ve definitely been at Dodger’s last concert before leaving for London, but Penny asked them to watch her three kids so she could go on a date with her husband. And if there’s one thing my parents will always cave to, it’s babysitting their grandbabies.
“Yeah, yeah,” my dad grumbles. “Wish your brother luck for me.”
“I will. Love you!”
“See you, Bo.” He lets me go and opens the front door but hesitates. With a pointed look, he adds, “Don’t forget to lock up.”
“I won’t. Promise.”
“That’s my girl.” He waves, then disappears, leaving me all alone in the middle of a quiet Etch ‘N’ Ink. Once I finish sweeping, I open my notebook and start drawing a new piece. It’s bold and swirly and showcases a lion’s head with a thick, full mane.
My phone buzzes on the counter.
Dodger
Having bike trouble. Gonna be late.
I roll my eyes. My brother’s had an obsession with motorcycles ever since he was a kid. I blame my dad who’s also a motorcycle junkie. Between the two of them? I don’t even want to know how much they’ve spent on all the bells, whistles, and leather that—as my brother puts it—makes a girl’s panties melt.
Gag.
The fact he’s having bike trouble, however, is odd, considering how much time he spends babying the stupid thing. Curious, I type my response.
Me
Everything okay?
Dodger