My Best Friend's Brother (8 page)

“Your skiing is great. And I think it’s awesome that you skied in the Alps.”

“You should come next time I go. Unless, that is, you have something
you’re
doing after high school?”

I whimpered, not so thrilled to be back on the subject of me. “My parents expect me to go to college, but I don’t know what to do. I’m so undecided, it’s pathetic!” I turned my body to face him. “My friend Lilly, her parents are putting absolutely
no
pressure on her about it. When she graduates, she could go to the
beach
every day for the rest of her life and they won’t care.”

He looked away for a second. “Maybe her parents know she needs to decide what she wants, and they really have no say in it.” He looked at me. “Maybe you need to stop stressing about what
they
want and think about what
you
want.”

He’s right. I don’t know what
I
want, just what Mom and Dad do. But the only thing I truly wanted just then, was to be with him and not grounded.

He shook my arm. “You okay?”

I snapped out it. “I’m fine.” We kissed again. It got pretty fierce and I loved it. This time I wasn’t nervous. He smelled
so
incredibly good.

Why did Dad have to work at home? Why!

~ ~ ~

We made out in his Jeep until three. Then he dropped me off a block from my house and I walked home.

I crept up to my bedroom, not seeing Dad anywhere. Apparently there
were
people who were expecting me home: Jake and Sullivan.

“What are you two doing in my room?” I demanded.

Sullivan tucked his hair behind his ears and crossed his arms. He wore a torn up black tee shirt with a faded rock band logo on it. He’s even more annoying when he gets all defensive like an eight-year-old. “It was Jake’s idea. He wanted to wait
for you. I thought he wanted to help me with the next level in the game, but apparently he’s just here for
you
. I was just making sure he stays out of your stuff in here! You’re welcome.” He stormed out of my room, slammed his door, and blasted his music.

Jake sat on the edge of my bed. He wore all black, his eyes were red and narrowed. I also thought I smelled an ashtray.

“Well?” I asked like I had better things to do, which I did.

“You weren’t there.”

Of course I pretended I had no idea what he was talking about. “Wasn’t
where
?”

“In
class
.” He crossed his arms. “So where were you?”

I crossed my arms too and sneered. “And how is that
your
business?”

“Are you sleeping with that guy? He’s a really bad influence on you, getting you to cut class with him!”

Well that was quite an assumption! I shook my head in disbelief and looked away. I was
not
about to be lectured by my persistently horny ex-boyfriend! Seriously, who does he think he is! “Get out of my room! That is
none
of your business!”

He looked hurt. “I’m asking because I care about you.”

I laughed maliciously. “Oh, yeah, is that why you
dumped me,
for not giving in to your constant nagging? And
he’s
the bad influence?”

Jake scowled. “Well,
Adonia
, it seems you have no problem giving in to him, huh?”

I opened the door to show him out. “Like I said, that’s
none
of your business! You dumped me and now I found someone nice who
respects me
and you can’t stand it! You’re an asshole, Jake.
Get out of my room!
”

He walked out and turned to face me. “Well, since you
cut class
, I guess I should ask you what I was going to ask in class!”

I checked the hall, hoping no one heard that. “I want to know why you’re spending time with this creep, he even got you grounded!
Then
I want to know why you flat out ignore me at school!”

I laughed. “Your best friend slammed a volleyball in my face! Your girlfriend gives me dirty looks, and you do nothing about either, why should
I
be nice to
you
? Wow, the
nerve
of you!”

He narrowed his eyes. “I can’t control other people!”

I could not believe he was accusing
me
of being rude! “Whatever! Look, we used to go out, and people who’ve dated can never be friends anyway, so let’s not!”

“Fine. Don’t expect me to keep your little secrets, though, because I won’t. And by the way, Jenna’s not my girlfriend anymore, so don’t call her that!”

“I guess she figured out even
she’s
got standards!”

“If I see that blond prick touching you again, I swear to God I’m gonna smash his skull!”

I chuckled. Apparently I’ve mastered the art of pissing him off. “Yeah, okay, he’ll just
crush
you! Did you
see
his arms?”

“I’m sure you got a better look than I did.” He headed down the stairs, cursing and beating the wall on the way down, and slammed the front door behind him.

Since Sullivan wouldn’t hear a knock over his music anyway, I just walked in.

“Hey! What are you doing in my room!” he hollered. He turned down his stereo.

I sighed. That crap was making my head throb! “Look at how filthy this place is! Why would I be in here if I didn’t need to be?”

He threw his Wii controller at the television. “Okay,
what
?”

“Why do you keep inviting Jake over?”

“I won’t anymore! I thought before today that he really liked video games, but he’s just here to see
you
!”

I crossed my arms. “He’s a total jerk, why invite him at all? Duh!”

“Well, I just said I’d
stop!
Duh!
”

I changed the subject. “Where’s Dad?”

“Buying dinner. And he said you can’t go out, because
you’re
grounded!
”

“I’m aware of that, thank you!” I slammed his door behind me and headed to my room. I changed out of my school clothes and threw myself on my bed, intent on finishing
Life of Pi
. But I couldn’t focus this time, either.

I want Lilly to come home—everything will be so much better with her around.

VIII

In creative writing, Tweezer took attendance and gave the writing prompt. “In one page or less, write about the most embarrassing moment of your life.”

I was expected to do that in
one
page?

“Ms. Morrison, Mr. Pawlak…?” Tweezer said afterwards. “Is it a coincidence, or did the two of you miss the same classes while not being marked absent for the school day on both Monday and Wednesday?”

I know, so much for cutting just
once.

Luke and I exchanged looks.

Jake smirked.
Asshole!

And so, I was awarded the first two pink slips of my high school career, and we were sent to the principal’s office. Three pink slips equaled detention, so I knew the cutting of classes had to stop. Unfortunately.

We sat in the waiting room outside Dr. Lang’s office, listening to his overweight secretary hum a song and type up a storm on her computer.

Mom stood before us twenty minutes later. Luke looked perplexed from his chair a few feet away. God, her skin was completely fried! Along with her sunburn, she wore a thick black coat. It looked ridiculous. Her blond hair hung to the same length as her dreamcatcher earrings, just above the shoulder. She didn’t
act
like someone who’d been away for months. In fact, she didn’t even say
hi
. “I want your side of the story,” she demanded, raising a mostly drawn-in eyebrow.

I sighed, kind of relieved she wasn’t Dad. If she were, I’d never hear the end of it. I pointed to Luke, who was still staring at her. “This is Luke, my boyfriend. Dad grounded me for a week for missing my curfew last Saturday. Cafeteria food is nasty and we wanted to have some lunch, so we cut two classes.”

Her expression was blank. She has glasses that adjust to the light in the room, and the lenses were tan, so I couldn’t read her eyes.

After a minute, she turned to Luke. “Do you need a ride?”

Luke looked stunned. “I drive.”

“Well, if it’s okay with your folks, I’d like you to meet us at our house. The three of us need to talk.” She grabbed my jacket off the seat to my left and thanked Dr. Lang and Mr. Tweezer for turning us in.

A minute later we were in Mom’s Jeep. She did not say a peep until we reached our driveway and Luke parked behind us. Dad’s Dodge Stratus was not in the driveway, or the empty detached garage.

She got out of the Jeep and staggered up the steps to the front door. Once she unlocked it, we followed her in. Luke looked nervous. I was scared. But Dad would’ve been worse—had to keep that in mind.

We sat at the kitchen table. The time on the microwave read 2:35. No Sullivan for an hour.

“I’m Mary, Adonia’s mother.” She shook Luke’s hand. He looked like he was wondering why she had to mention being my mother. “How old are you, Luke?”

“I’m eighteen in December.”

“Are you new here? I haven’t seen you before.”

“I am.”

Mom eyed me. “And you two are dating?”

We nodded. I already told her that, too. She’s treating us like anthropological test subjects.

“And Dad met him?”

I nodded again.

She looked at him. “Do you two use protection?”

My eyes widened.
In horror.

When I finally got the courage to look at him, I could see Luke was staggered. And speechless.

“
Mom!
We haven’t done that!”

She took off her high-heel boots. “Well when you do, that’s one thing to keep in mind. Luke, would you like some coffee?”

Luke’s glance shifted from me to her. “Um, yes Mrs. Morrison.”

“You can call me Mary.”

“Yes, Mary.”

She began brewing.

“Mom? I’m not supposed to be seeing him,” I disclosed. Just in case Dad got home.

“Well, your father has to understand that punishing you will not prevent you from seeing Luke. God knows that kind of punishment never worked on
me
at your age!”

I wondered what Mom did that was so bad at my age. Did she even know Dad back then? “How will
you
punish me?”

“I’m not home enough to punish you. And don’t you worry about your dad, I’ll talk to him.”

Luke smiled and blew me a kiss when she wasn’t looking. I wondered how much trouble he was in with
his
mother.

Wobbly on her feet, Mom nearly dropped the coffee and cookies. We each got our cream and sugar, though Mom always has her coffee black. “So how’s school?” she asked, wiping her forehead with a wet cloth.

“Good,” we answered.

“I’ll tell you, I’m beat! The soles of my feet are blistered from scorching hot sand seeping into my shoes.” Mom’s got perfect table manners—it’s rather annoying. “I don’t know how those people survive in that weather, it’s amazing.”

Then she fell silent.

“So, I’ve heard a lot of wonderful things about you, Mrs. Morrison…” Luke said after a few minutes.

I wonder what wonderful things he’s heard.

“Mary,” my mother insisted.

“Mary… do you travel the world, or just to certain places?”

“Mostly interior Australia, Luke. Although I’ve also done research in Africa and Siberia.” She took her glasses off and rubbed her eyes. “Sorry, I arrived home around noon and it was a long flight. I’m going to go get changed, and I’ll be right back.” She got up and limped toward the stairs.

Once she was out of ears’ range, Luke hissed, “She’s okay with you having
sex
?”

“She doesn’t really believe in punishment, or preventing the inevitable,” I blurted. Then I felt awkward.
Is our having sex
inevitable?

I wondered if he wondered, too.

After a thoughtful moment, he said, “Well, she’s cool.”

My hand shook as I picked up my mug to sip my overly-sweetened coffee. “She’s a free soul. It’s a work requirement, I guess.” I chuckled when his foot nudged mine. I nudged his back.

That’s when Dad walked in. Instantly, our feet parted.

Dad looked at Luke and did a double take. His eyes widened. Immediately, he asked where Mom was, and I pointed up.

She came down just then, in sweat pants and a large tee shirt. She kissed him on the cheek and asked how the book was going, as if we weren’t there at all. Dad glared at us. “What’s going on here?”

“Well, I picked Adonia up from school. Told Luke he can join us for dinner, if he wants to. I’m not home very often and I wanted to meet him.” She passed by Dad with a limp and began looking in the cupboards. “How about staying, Luke?”

Luke cleared his throat. “Sure, if Mr. Morrison’s all right with it.”

Dad stood in the center of the kitchen, holding groceries in a paper bag. He groaned and shook his head. “Mary, why did you have to pick Adonia up from school? You just got back, you should be resting. She could’ve taken the bus.”

Mom dug pots and pans out of the cabinets and tiptoed by him to the fridge. “I picked her up because she’s my daughter and I wanted to see her. Now put those away and start peeling some potatoes, will you?” She looked at me. “Why don’t you show Luke around the house?”

“Now wait a minute,” Dad said, pointing at me. “She’s still punished. He kept her out until nearly midnight, Mary.”

Mom turned to him and crossed her arms. “She’s had five days of punishment. I’m home for a week and I’d like to have a good time. Leave punishment at that.”

“It won’t happen again, Dad,” I assured him. Luke nodded in agreement.

Dad sighed. There was a lot of tension in the room, I could feel it all. Dad’s glares made me cringe. But he finally uttered, “Fine. Show Luke around the living room.” He looked at me sternly. “
Just
the living room.”

We left my parents in the kitchen and headed for the living room.

“So,” I started after an awkward moment, “this is our couch,” I said with a hand gesture, “our coffee table… and our television.”

Luke laughed. “Got it! Thanks!”

We spent the next two hours on the couch, watching a corny rental Sullivan picked up on the way home—a “scary movie” called
Kill Me
that wasn’t even scary. It’s about a dumb blonde who looks up serial killers in police databases and mails them letters daring them to kill her. The story’s stupid and the acting was atrocious.