Page 13 of Don't Let Go

Mamma pressed her lips together for a moment. “Yes. His mamma died last year. It’s been a rough time for him.”

“How old is he?” Carmen queried, picking at a piece of skin on the side of her thumbnail.

“He’s seventeen and a senior like Aurora.” Mamma nodded toward me.

The mention of my name forces me to sit straighter than an arrow. “What does this mean? Didn’t the senator live somewhere fancy like Paradise Valley or Scottsdale?”

Mamma wrung her hands over the table. “Yes, Scottsdale. Since Tyler is still legally a minor, he’ll move in with us.”

Lorenzo pursed his lips. “How long is he going to crash?”

“Where is he going to sleep?” Franco added.

“I know this is a lot to take in. Carmen and Lizzy will have to share a room while he’s here.” Mamma stood, giving a sharp eye to Carmen, anticipating she was seconds away from having a meltdown.

“That’s so unfair!” Carmen huffed, sinking into her chair with her arms crossed.

“He lost his parents, and your life is unfair,” I muttered, rolling my eyes.

Carmen shot daggers at me. “Zip it.”

“Phoenix will be a big change for Tyler. I want us to be welcoming.” Mamma motioned to me. “Aurora, I want you to show him around South Ridge and try to ease him into his new school. He’s going to be upset enough as it is.”

I forced a smile to my lips. “Of course, Mamma.”

“When is he coming?” Franco asked, eyeing the doorway like Tyler would appear out of thin air.

“In a few days, a week at most. Winston needs to have a funeral, and a few other things need to be ironed out. I wanted to give you a heads up.” She clapped her hands. “That is all.”

My brothers grumbled as they walked to the living room to watch the game. Lizzy skipped upstairs, delighted to share a room with Carmen. As for Carmen, she continued to sulk in her chair, refusing to move. She stared at the red and white checkered tablecloth so intensely I was surprised it didn’t burst into flames.

Mamma retreated into the kitchen, most likely preparing her lunch for work tomorrow. I still had so many questions, but I didn’t feel like having Mamma look at me like I was being defiant. I wanted to know how long until Tyler was eighteen or if he would stay until he graduated high school, no matter when his birthday was.

I ran up to my room and called Chloe. She always answered on the first ring.

“Hey, girl! I was about to call you. I’m confused about the science homework. Do you know the answer to number six?”

I dug out my textbook and notebook from my backpack. “Give me a second.” I opened the notebook and flipped to the back,where the homework sheet lay safely hidden, tucked in half. “I picked C. The tectonic plates are pieces of Earth's crust and uppermost mantle, together referred to as the lithosphere.”

“Right! Maybe I should pay more attention to class and less attention to the guys inside it, huh?” She giggled. I heard clicking on the other line like she was typing on her laptop.

“You’re boy crazy, is all,” I teased, laughing.

“Girl, you have no idea.” She sighed. “You called me. What’s up?”

I kicked off my shoes and jumped horizontally on my bed, dangling my feet and left arm off the mattress. “This is still a secret, so please don’t share it with anyone.”

“Okay. Secrets are always safe with me,” her voice gushed excitedly.

“Senator Winston died today,” I said in a rush.

Chloe let out a breath. I could only imagine her face scrunched in confusion. “I’m sorry? I didn’t know you were close to—”

“There’s more. He has a son our age named Tyler. Turns out my mamma is somehow connected to the family, and she has guardianship over him since both of his parents are gone.”

Chloe blew a raspberry into the phone. “Wait. What happened?”

“I know!” I ran a hand down my face. “My mamma is letting him move in with us. Carmen is super pissed because she must share a room with Lizzy so he has a place to crash.”

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