She folded her arms and stared at me. “You will. All thatandmore. But if I find out you’ve skipped school again, I’m sending you to boarding school, and you can live there. I swear to God, Caleb. I won’t let you turn into a bum!”
She meant it—I knew she did. Dad didn’t finish school, and he’d done well for himself. If I dared to mention that she would slap me silly, I’m sure.
“Zane—get ready, soccer practice.”
He nodded, then saw me as I winked at him. If he hated sports as much as I did, he was doing a better job than me. I lasted three games.
“I’m taking your brother to soccer. Can you do dinner tonight?”
It was more of a statement than anything else.
“There’s beef in the fridge, why not make Spaghetti Bolognese?” Mom continued.
I sighed, finishing my sandwich when I caught her looking at me expectantly.
“Yeah, sure, Mom. I’dloveto.” I tried to keep the sarcasm out of my voice as I grinned at her, noticing her eyes soften.
“Good. Dad will be back before me.”
She tiptoed up to kiss the top of my head as she picked up her keys. “Alice is in her room. Don’t leave her alone.” She chided as she looked at me with a warning.
For fuck’s sake.
The door closed behind her as I grabbed an apple, tossing it into the air.
“Summer!” I yelled, hearing her feet pad across her room as her door opened. “Can you help me make dinner? You know I suck at it.”
She scoffed, walking back into her room. Clearly, that was a no.
“Alice!” I called as I got no response.
Surely Alice will help me.
I climbed up the stairs, two at a time as I made my way to her room. I pushed open the door and heard a gasp and a thud as two bodies entangled on her bed fell apart, accusation in my sister’s eyes.
“Fuck, Cale! Can’t you knock?!” She snapped, her silky blonde hair spilling over her shoulder as her green eyes flashed at me. I stared in disbelief at the kid who had tumbled to the floor, his face beet red and his lips swollen from kissing.
From kissing mysister.
My thirteen-year-oldsister.
“Who thefuckis this?” I demanded, my eyes boring into him as I shook with rage. The boy paled and looked at Alice for help.
“This is Will. We werestudying. Mom knew, so don’t lose your shit.” Alice spoke calmly as I raised my eyebrows.
“What are youstudying, his throat?!” I snapped, walking around the bed to pick the boy up by his collar. He scrambled up in alarm as I pulled him down the stairs, his feet missing steps as we went.
“In this house, we have three shotguns, an ax, and a chainsaw. I promise younoonewould find your body. Keep thefuckaway from my sister, you dirty little prick.”
I threw him out of the door as he stumbled, running as fast as he could down the street without looking back.
“Caleb! You’ve just thrown out the only guy I’lleverlove!” Alice cried as she sat hunched on the steps, her shoulders shaking as she sobbed.
“I guess that means you won’t help me with dinner?”
CHAPTER 4
CALEB
