Page 43 of Where It Begins
“Too bad hip gyrating isn’t a six-figure job. Although hip thrusting naked can apparently make lots of money. Not really a career path I want to entertain, but still viable for some.”
“Wait. Are you talking about porn stars?” My eyes dart to her chest, which is covered by a t-shirt.
“That’s a land mine topic we should step around.”
“You brought it up.”
“And I’m putting it away. If we end up as stepsiblings we should probably avoid talking about things like porn, unless I’m making fun of the fact that the girls you bring home sound like they’re auditioning for a role in an adult film.”
“That’s fair. And probably accurate.”
We finish up the dishes and Violet and Skye thank my dad for having them over. Skye hugs me and Violet gives me a fist bump. We stand on the front porch and wave as they drive away.
“You and Violet seemed to get along pretty well,” Dad says.
“Yeah. She’s cool. Like super nerdy, and has zero verbal filter, but she’s got good stepsister potential.”
His eyebrows dance on his forehead. “Stepsister potential?”
“You and Skye have been dating for months. You got us together for a family barbeque and bought filet mignon and you’ve been looking at vacations. I can count on one finger how many times that’s happened in my life.” I pat him on the shoulder. “I think they’ll be good for us.”
Dad smiles. “Good. I think so, too.”
CHAPTERFOURTEEN
JUST THE TWO OF US
Skye
“I can stay here on my own. I’ll be fine.” Violet taps her lip with the end of her pencil, but it almost goes up her nose.
“Honey, you’re only sixteen.”
“Legally you can leave me home on my own at fourteen,” she argues.
“Grandma and Grandpa Hall would love for you to stay with them for the weekend.” I haven’t broached the subject with them, but they love having Violet over.
“Oh, hell no. I have tutoring all day Saturday and there’s no way I’m spending Sunday playing Uno. I love Grandma and Grandpa, but they only watch bad sitcoms with laugh tracks. There has to be another option. What about Miller?”
“His grandparents are going to check in on him.”
“But he gets to stay on his own?” She crosses her arms.
“He’s seventeen, and he has hockey practice on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.”
“So why can’t I stay over there? He’s mostly an adult. That house is enormous. It’s not like they don’t have the room.”
I purse my lips. “I don’t know if that’s the best idea.”
“Why the heck not? I’m super responsible. He and I get along just fine.”
“He’s a teenage boy.”
“So?”
“What if he invites his friends over?” It’s a legitimate worry, considering my first introduction to Miller and his friend. Although that friend is in Toronto, getting ready for his first pro hockey season, so he won’t be around to help Miller make bad choices.
“I have pepper spray. And I’ve taken self-defense lessons. I know to aim for the balls and then the throat and eyes. Please don’t make me stay with Grandma and Grandpa. Their house smells like cooked cabbage and farts.”