Page 14 of Broken Instrument

But the worst part? She puts her dad on a pedestal. And even though Isabella has done a pretty good job raising her, I’m still terrified Mia will wind up like her dad. Selfish and an addict.

And me? I’m the aunt who likes to hold Mia’s father to a higher standard and may or may not have had a bone to pick with the guy over the last few years. It’s made my situation with Mia a little less than desirable. Especially when the girl is so freaking smart. She’s also gorgeous, and funny, and…she has so much potential. But I’m terrified she isn’t going to utilize any of it because she’s too busy following in her dad’s footsteps.

“You know I have no one else, Hadley,” Isabella reminds me. She’s an only child, and her parents kicked her and Mia out of their house as soon as she turned eighteen. They haven’t spoken much since. Which means when Bud’s MIA, I’m the only person Bella can rely on.

“I know,” I mutter.

“Normally, I’d call Bud, but…”

“I know,” I repeat. “For how long?”

“Only a couple of days, but it’s a pretty big project I’m heading up in LA, which is great. But ya know, it’ll be a little more traveling than usual, and considering the circumstances––”

“I get it.” Slipping off my glasses, I pinch the bridge of my nose and let out a long sigh. “I’ll help out however I can.”

“You will?”

“Yeah.”

“I’ll talk to Mia again. I’ll remind her who’s the boss, make sure she’s respectful and all that jazz, okay?”

Like it’ll help.

I lean back in my chair and kick my feet out. “Yeah. I’m sure it’ll be fine. Have you heard anything else about Bud?”

Bella insisted on filing a missing person’s report a few days after Bud disappeared, even though I thought it was a waste of time. It’s not the first time he’s done this. But I guess she actually believed him when he said he’d changed this time.

I almost had too.

Sometimes it sucks being right.

A beat of silence passes then she murmurs, “I haven’t heard anything about Bud. How ‘bout you?”

“Nada,” I reply, hating the disappointment which still manages to flood my system anytime we discuss the lack of update in regards to Bud’s whereabouts. “But listen, since you called…I had a little issue with my landlord.”

“Don’t tell me––”

“I’m not getting kicked out, but…” I bite the inside of my cheek, bracing myself for the slew of curses I know are seconds from being hurled my way. “One of Bud’s friends showed up and offered to watch Pix until Bud returns.”

“You’re joking, right?”

“It’s not like you could take her, and––”

“Mia’s gonna be pissed––”

“I know, but––”

“I get it,” she mutters, though I can still hear the disappointment in her voice. “Seriously. I do. And you know we’d take her if we could, but with our rent agreement being locked in and the housing market going up, it’s not like I can pick up and move to watch my ex’s dog until he shows up again. But it isn’t fair to expect you to put up with her, either,” she adds, her frustration fizzling. “I’ll, uh, I’ll talk to Mia.”

“She’s going to hate me––”

“She’s going to be disappointed, but she’ll get over it. This isn’t your fault. It’s her dad’s.”

Yeah, no. She’s definitely going to look at this like it’s my fault, and part of me still feels like it is.

“I have the friend’s number,” I say, though I’m not sure who I’m reminding. “We’ll set up a time so Mia can hang out with Pix or something.”

“Good idea. I think Mia would like that.”

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