Chapter 38
Just the sound of Joel's voice was enough to send my heart fluttering. And yet, I had to confess, "I almost didn't answer."
"Yeah? Why?"
"Because I didn't recognize the number." In truth, therewasno number. The call had come through as "unknown."
"Sorry," he said. "Burner phone."
"Oh," I said. "You mean like a temporary one to tide you over?"
"Something like that." He paused. "Listen, I don't have much time, but I wanted to let you know that we'll be back on Saturday."
I felt myself smile. "Really?"
"Yeah, but do me a favor. If Jake gets there first, don't let him in, okay?"
And just like that, my smile was gone. "Wait. Jake's coming over, too?"
"He's not gonna stay, if that's what you're asking."
I wasn't sure what I was asking. It's not that I objected to Jake or any of Joel's brothers stopping by. But Joel's attitude was more than a little confusing.
I was still pondering that when Joel said, "So promise me, alright?"
"But why?" I asked.
"Because I don't want him alone with you."
Now, I was frowning. "You don't trust me?"
"I trustyou. It'shimI don't trust."
I wasn't quite sure I believed him. "Is this because of that thing with Jake and your dad's girlfriend?"
"That's part of it."
"What's the other part?"
"He's a dick."
"Oh come on," I said. "He's your brother."
"Yeah. Which means that I know him. You don't."
This whole conversation was incredibly frustrating. Of all the things we could be talking about, why this? I tried to laugh. "It's pretty hard to get to know him when you guys are always fighting."
"We're not fighting," Joel said. "He's here with me now."
So Jake was hearing this? I just couldn’t see it. "You mean in the same room?"
"No. In the same country."
"Wait. You're in a different country?"
"Long story," Joel said. "But you promise, right?"
It was only like the tenth time he'd asked. Maybe I should've said yes and been done with it. But after everything Jake had done for me, I just couldn’t see myself refusing to let him in.
