Page 61 of Birthday Girl
The next day my sister doesnât ask why I slept on her couch. She takes her son and me out for breakfast, and then we hit the Farmerâs Market for some produce. We talk about the county fair coming up, whatâs new in the movie theaters, and what kind of party Killian wants to have for his birthday in September.
My sister likes to give me a hard time, but sheâs good about seeing when Iâm hurting, too. She knows when to back off.
After her dance last night, I followed her to the back of the club and got her keys from her, so I could have her car and get into her house. I didnât know what to tell her about why I needed to crash with her, so I didnât explain anything. Where would I start? Cole flaking on picking me up the night before? Me alone with Jay in a car, on a deserted street in the middle of the night, for the first time in two years? Me spending the night on a pool table? Pike accusing me of screwing around on his son and taking advantage of his generosity?
Her boss putting the pressure on me again about working for him?
Cole barely acting like I exist anymore?
I feel a sob stretch my throat. I canât go back there. Iâd rather sleep in my car. The three year old in me with pride the size of the Pacific will show him, wonât I? Iâll live in my broke-down car with no AC and busted door handles, because I donât need anyone, right?
Through my watering eyes, I smile a little as I drive my sisterâs car down the lane. Itâs not as bad as all that, actually. I have my dadâs house. My stepmom may not want me there, but they wonât turn me away.
It wonât always be like this.
I turn into Pikeâs neighborhood, downshifting my sisterâs Mustang and coming up on his house.
My sister doesnât have to work today, so she let me use her car to get my things out of Pikeâs house.
As his place comes into view, though, I spot his truck in the driveway, and my stomach knots.
I donât want to see him right now.
I should come back later.
But no, I need my clothes and my books for school. I can get the rest another time, but I need a few things now.
I park and climb out of the car, taking the small suitcase I borrowed from my sister and walk across the lawn and up the stairs. Taking out my key, I go to unlock the door but see that itâs already open. I take a cautious step inside.
The living room is empty, and I pass the kitchen, seeing that heâs not in there, either. My shoulders relax slightly. Making my way to the stairs, I grab the bannister.
; âJordan.â
I freeze, awareness and nerves making the hair on my neck stand up. Shit.
Turning around, I steel my expression and lift my chin as I face Pike. He stands between the kitchen and living room, wiping his hands with a dirty towel, his arms and fingers covered in dirt. Heâs wet, sweat-soaked through parts of his gray T-shirt, and his face is more tanned than the last time I saw him. Like heâs been outside a lot the past twenty-four hours.
âI just need to get my stuff,â I say and turn back for the stairs.
But he stops me again. âJordan.â
âLook, whatever, okay?â I cut him off, turning toward him again. âI shouldnât be here anyway, and itâs not like Cole is here half the time, either, so let me just cut my losses and get my shit.â
He steps forward. âWhere will you go?â
I almost want to cry. âMy dadâs house. In Meadow Lakes,â I tell him. âIâm not your problem, okay?â
There. Itâs done. No need to pretend that I donât have other options. Iâm leaving. I hate the idea of going back to that trailer park shithole, but it wonât be forever. Iâll live.
I move to head up the stairs again, but he speaks up, almost in a rush.
âPlease,â he blurts out, stopping me. âCome here for a minute. I have something I want to show you.â
He must see the suspicion in my eyes, because he asks again, firmer and resolute this time. âPlease,â he says. âJust for a minute.â
He turns and heads back into the kitchen, and I hesitate for a moment before following him. I donât want to be curious, but I am.