Page 19 of Don't Let Go
I kicked my suitcases under the bed and grabbed my keys. As soon as my hand touched the handrail to go down the stairs, Rory stood in her doorway. “What’s up?”
“Forgot something. I’ll be back soon,” I said over my shoulder, not meeting her eyes. The siren in her probably could see right through my lie.
“Dinner’s at six,” she replied sharply.
I nodded and kept going. Voices came from the kitchen, but I quickly slipped out the front door and jogged to my car before anyone else realized I left. The engine purred, and it took a great deal of self-control to not peel out on the driveway.
God, I’d give anything to leave that two-story house in the rearview mirror forever.
When I returned home, I wandered into my father’s office and sat in his leather chair on wheels. I flipped through the calendar on his desk and found he’d penciled in the fishing trip we talked about for next month. Out of nowhere, tears prickled my eyes. He did want to make more time for us, and then he died.
A surge of anger pulsed through me. I shoved all the contents on top of his desk onto the floor.
The need to destroy nearly consumed me. I took a cold shower and collapsed on my bed, dug my fingers into my hair, and screamed.
When did God turn on me? What did I do to Him?
I sent a text to Iris and Quincy asking them to come over ASAP. They replied within seconds, both saying they were on their way.
I forced myself to my feet and went to the bathroom to splash cool water on my face. “You can do this. Just shatter their lives too.” At least they didn’t have to be uprooted.
The doorbell rang. I found Iris standing there with a shy smile on her purple lips. She twisted her braid around her fingers. I had to take a moment to appreciate the low-cut almost see-through white dress she had on. “I know you’re all alone now, but I can’t do house calls all the time. I’m no cheap trick.”
I moved to allow her to step inside and shut the door. “I’d never think of you as cheap, babe.” I squeezed the back of my neck. “I didn’t text you for a quickie. I need to tell you something.”
She lifted a perfectly shaped eyebrow. Her makeup was flawless as if she had gone to get it professionally done. Underneath that white dress was an ivory-laced bra. All I wanted to do was peel that dress off, kiss her lips trailing down her neck, and slip her bra strap off her beautifully toned shoulder.
“Tyler, what do you need to tell me?” Iris had her hands on her hips. That wasn’t the first time she asked—I had zoned out.
“Well, you see—”
The doorbell rang again. I gave her a nervous grin and opened the door. Quincy bounced in, slapping me on the shoulder. “Hey man, you made it sound urgent. What’s…” He stopped talking and stared at Iris wide-eyed.
Iris glared at Quincy, daring him to look anywhere else besides her eyes.
I walked around Quincy to grab a blanket on the back of the couch. I handed it to Iris. She slid it on over her shoulders and sat on the rocking chair.
“I have something to tell you both.”
Quincy sat on the arm of the couch. “Out with it. You know I don’t like surprises or long pauses. They make me itch.” He scratched at his arm as if he was breaking out in hives.
I paced the floor, looking at my shoes. “I’ll just say it. I gotta leave Lincoln High.”
Quincy fell on the floor. Iris held her chest like she was about to faint.
“What?” Quincy asked as he lay sprawled out on the floor.
I ran a hand through my hair and sighed. “It’s a long story. Since I’m still a minor, I need a guardian. Legal jargon aside, my mom has a friend in South Phoenix and I guess she was appointed my guardian a long time ago in the event something happened to my parents.”
Iris shrugged off the blanket and stood up, taking hold of both my hands. “I don’t understand. You’re almost eighteen. Can’t they oversee that?”
Quincy got back on his feet, rubbing his lower back. “Dude, we can’t lose you. What about the playoffs? What about the scouts?” His eyes are too wide.
I ran my hand across my jaw. “I know. It’s bullshit. According to my Uncle Morgan, it’s all set in stone against my will. They want me to go to South Ridge High.”
Iris wrapped her arms around my torso and sobbed, “I don’t want to lose you.”
“You won’t.” I snaked my arms around her. “I’ll just… be a little further than usual.”
