Page 31 of Dmitri

“No. We have ingredients. This isn’t a food house. It’s an ingredients house.”

“Good thing you know how to put ingredients together to make a meal, boo.”

Someone knocks on the door, making me jump.

Addie peers out the window and smiles. “It’s Ace.” She opens the door for him before I can stop her.

Ace steps in like he lives here too and holds up two pizza boxes and a paper bag. “Who’s hungry?”

“We ate already,” I lie, hoping he’ll leave.

Addie rolls her eyes. “She’s full of shit.” She snags the bag from him and squeals. “Burgers too? You’re my hero.”

No. He’s a villain.

“We were just leaving,” I say, standing up. Ouch, my knees hurt from sitting for so long. Geez, what time is it?

“Where are you two going?” Ace asks, shoving a slice ofpizza in his face.

“Yeah, Daelyn. Where are we going?”

Addie is so unhelpful. And that’s because I’ve kept way too much from her. She has no clue Ace is a snake. She has no clue that I’ve been roped into criminal activities just to keep this house and put food on our table. Her ignorance is causing me more misery than I can handle lately.

“The movies.”

Addie’s brow arches. “But you said—”

“Well, guess what? I changed my mind. Let’s go.”

Ace watches our exchange like a wolf studying its prey’s behavior.

“I can’t, Dae. I’m going to Tasha’s tonight.”

My heart falls. “Again?”

“Well, yeah. It’s summer. That means midnight swims and sleeping in.”

“But you didn’t sleep at all there last night.”

Ace stays quiet, chewing his food. I don’t like him hearing anything we talk about. He’ll read into it or report it to Kaleb. Nosy snitch.

“Sorry, babe. I made plans with her already and I’m not flaking.” Addie chomps down on a burger. And now I’m taking in her outfit. She’s showered and painted her nails a fresh bright blue. Jesus, how long did I ignore her today? Checking the time on my phone, I can’t believe seven hours passed by and I didn’t say a word to her.

I’ve neglected her.

Guilt makes me nauseous. I took this job so I could be here for her, but I’m not present like I need to be. Guilt makes my shoulders sag. “Okay. I’m sorry. Time got away from me and I…”

What can I say? She’s sixteen and I’m not about to burden her with grown up shit. I took her in to help give her a better life. That means letting her go to her friend’s house, midnight swims,and anime all-nighters.

When living with the Brenner family, it was lights out at eight and we couldn’t make a peep, or we’d risk the belt. There were no sleepovers or friends hanging out at the house, and our rooms had to be spotless at all times. We had surprise inspections.

Addie has the opposite of that now. Whenever I feel like I’m being difficult or strict, I remind myself that it’s okay to ease up. My life is not hers. I can’t blur the lines or our childhoods.

“What time are you supposed to be there?”

“Whenever I get there.” Addie inhales more of her burger.

“Who else will be there this time?”

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