Page 66 of Tiny Fractures

“Where were you?” she asked me in a clipped tone. I knew she was pissed but was reining in her anger because my dad was standing behind her in the kitchen. She never loses her shit on me outright when my dad is home. She saves that for when it’s just her and me.

“Sorry, I passed out at Shane’s last night. I’m really sorry for not letting you know,” I said in a small voice.

“Why is it possible for Steve to let us know he would be spending the night at Zack’s, but you can’t manage to do the same?” she asked me, her hands on her hips.

“I’m sorry,” I said again. “I was…”

“Drunk?” my mom interrupted with a frown.

“Come on, Rica,” my dad stepped in. “Take it easy. I told you Ran probably spent the night at Shane’s; it’s not a big deal,” he said in a calm voice.

“To you, maybe. There are rules, Frank, and one of those rules is that the boys tell me if they’re spending the night somewhere else. It’s common courtesy.”

“I know you were worried about Ran, but he’s here now; he’s okay,” my dad said back, his voice even.

I knew better, though. She wasn’t worried about me; she was pissed that I didn’t obey, that I broke a rule. Not only did I violate my usual curfew—again—but I didn’t bother giving her a heads-up. I was going to pay for this. Maybe not right then and there, but eventually.

“If he was in fact drinking, he made the right call spending the night at Shane’s rather than driving,” my dad continued.

I wanted him to stop talking and just let my mom lay into me, because the longer he stood there defending me, the more painful it would be for me later when he was gone.

“It’s easy for you to say, Frank. You’re always gone; you’re not the one who has to raise these boys. I work most of the time, and that means the boys have to follow the rules around here. But for some reason Ronan has a tough time with that,” she said, glowering at me.

“Hey, babe.” My dad’s voice was soft as he put his hands on my mom’s shoulders and turned her toward him. “I’m sorry you have to handle so much. I appreciate everything you do for this family. I’m sure Ronan didn’t do this on purpose. Let’s just enjoy our breakfast before I have to head back out, okay?”

I went up to my room then, stepping out of my clothes and under the hot shower to wash off the stickiness and alcohol clinging to my pores.

My dad left after breakfast, and I was careful to avoid my mother the rest of the morning, knowing that my dad’s departure would just add to her shitty mood. I only had to hold her off until Steve got home, which he did around eleven, looking relaxed and happy.

“Yeah, I did! I put everything away,” I say to my mom as I walk across the parking lot. Stupid. I know this will only piss her off more.

“No, you didn’t. There are clothes piled up in the garage on top of the dryer, Ronan!” The volume of her voice has risen.

It doesn’t matter what I say at this point; my mom is pissed off, capital P.

“Sorry, I thought it was just the stuff in the basket in the living room,” I say, unlocking my car.

“Well, you thought wrong. God damn it, Ronan, why can’t you ever do what I tell you to? Where the hell are you? You better be getting your ass home to finish your chores right now!” She’s all-out raging.

“I can’t right now; but I’ll finish everything when I get home later.”

I hate how she makes me feel like a five-year-old. My mother terrifies me, and by the time I hang up the phone I have to take a couple of deep breaths to stop my hands from shaking. Fuck! I hope to god she’s working tonight, because otherwise I can expect some kind of repercussion when I get home. Steve has already announced his intent to spend another night over at Zack and Vada’s, and Shane is working tonight, so I won’t be able to crash at his place.

I drive back to Cat’s place slowly, giving myself time to get my fucking head straight again. All my mom’s crap leaves my mind when I pull up to the house and find Cat bent over the front of her mom’s car, looking intently at the engine block. I smile, taking in her perfect body. She is so damn sexy.

I get out of my car, grab the new starter from the passenger seat, and make my way toward Cat. She looks up, startled, when I put my hand on her waist, but then she smiles widely and turns toward me, her hips leaning against the hood.

“I got the part,” I say, reciprocating her dazzling smile. I let my eyes roll down Cat’s body and she shivers under my gaze, which makes me want to do things to her I don’t yet dare say out loud. I vow to take it easy, though. I care about her too much to fuck this up. Every minute I spend with this girl makes me fall harder and harder for her. So, I allow myself a brief moment of weakness, kiss her perfect lips softly, then step back from her with a smile.

“I better get to work,” I say, and she nods before sitting, legs crossed, on the concrete driveway. I raise my eyebrows at her, astounded that she wants to watch, and she smiles back at me.

I have to admit, I like that she’s sitting with me while I work.

Cat

I watch Ronan work, which is one of the sexiest sights I’ve had the pleasure of witnessing. I can’t believe where my mind is going, but I can’t deny how damn gorgeous he is. I’m totally lost to him, and I wonder if he feels the same way.

Finally, Ronan pulls back, letting out a deep breath. “Baby, do me a favor and see if you can get the car started,” he says, and my heart gives a jolt at his new nickname for me.

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