But it wasn't thoughts of the cabinets that had kept me up late last night, tossing and turning in my cold, empty bed.
It was thoughts of Brody.I couldn’t stop thinking about his childhood. I felt awful for him. And now, anewquestion was haunting my thoughts.Why hadn't he told me any of this when we'd been together?
Was it because he didn't trust me?
Or because he'd seen me only as a fling?
Or maybe he was just allergic to sharinganytruth between us.
At the thought, I felt my mood sink even lower.
To Waverly, I murmured, "Yeah, I guess you're right."
Already, I'd grabbed a bottled water and was just about to return to my bedroom when she said, "And if you ask me, you're just lucky he lets you stick around."
I stiffened. As much as I hated to admit it, she was probably right about this, too. Yes, I fully realized that Brody wasn't the one who'd hired me and that he technically wasn't my boss.
But I also realized that if he wanted me gone –trulywanted me gone – he'd have plenty of power to make that happen.
So why didn't he?
To Waverly, I said, "Yeah, well, maybe he'll fire me tomorrow."
"He can't fire you tomorrow," she said. "It's Sunday."
"Fine. Monday then."
"If you ask me, heshouldfire you," she said. "The wayIhear it, you could've killed his sister."
"What?" I shook my head. "He doesn't even have a sister."
With a mean little laugh, she said, "If you say so."
"Idosay so." I didn't bother pointing out that I'd known Brody since high school. And more recently, I'd known him intimately.Very intimately.
During those few blissful months, we'd talked for hours, and not only about the house. I might not knoweverythingabout him. But Ididknow this.He had zero sisters.
At the table, Waverly actually snickered.
I asked, "What's so funny?"
"You." In a snotty voice, she mimicked what I'd said a moment ago. "He doesn't have a sister."
"He doesn't," I insisted.
"Sure he does," she said. "Andyoucould've killed her."
I summoned up a stiff smile. "Yes. And the Easter bunnycould'vestolen my shoes." I froze.What did that even mean?
I had no idea.
But in my own defense, Waverly wasn't making much sense either.
With a smirk, she said, "They all hate you, you know."
Her words felt like a slap, but I refused to flinch. "Who? The brothers?" I tried to laugh. "Yeah. Tell me something I don't know."
"I already did," she said. "And you didn't believe me."
