Page 2 of Play It Sinful

Mom clenches her jaw and swallows hard. “He thought going on a business trip was more important than giving you the news.”

Bitterness pools in my mouth. Dad’s constant work trips are one of the reasons for their many fights. But Mom could have waited until he got back. A few more days wouldn’t change anything.

“I don’t want you to get a divorce,” Kenzie says, already crying.

“Come here, hon.” Mom opens her arms, and Kenzie runs into them.

I feel numb. I knew this was coming, so I’ve been preparing myself for it. Our parents fight all the time, and once I heard Dad say he had fallen out of love with Mom years ago. It’s better if they get a divorce.

But I’m not ready for what Mom says next.

“You’ll love, London. It’s the most beautiful city in the world!”

My throat becomes tight. “London? What are you talking about?”

“I’m moving back to London, and I’d like you both to come with me.”

Kenzie pulls back and looks at Mom. “What about, Dad? When will we see him?”

Mom cups her face. “You can visit him in the summer.”

I feel sick.

“I’m not moving!” I jump from the couch and run up the stairs.

Mom calls my name, but I ignore her. My heart is beating so loudly in my chest that I think it’s going to burst from it. I go straight to my room and lock the door. But that isn’t enough. I need to hide away... disappear. I grab the old lunchbox I keep hidden under my bed and bring it into my walk-in closet, then shut that door too.

It’s almost pitch-black inside. Barely any light comes through the cracks around the door. But I don’t need to see. I can go by touch. My pulse is pounding in my ears when I take out the switch blade from the box. It was a gift from Grandpa when I joined the Boy Scouts last year. Little did he know I wouldn’t be using it to cut cords or twigs. I found out what else you could do with a knife from a video on YouTube.

I press the cold blade against the underside of my forearm and steel myself. My chest feels heavy, but when the sharp sting of the first cut comes, I can breathe again.

CHAPTER 2

ASHLEY

THIRTEEN YEARS AGO

When Mom said we were going to spend the summer in Birchen Beach, I got so excited! It’s one of my favorite places. She’s taken me to the small coastal town a few times, mostly after Dad died when I was four. But when she told me Chris’s kids would be joining us, I got nervous.

Chris is Mom’s boyfriend. They’ve been together for a year, but I’ve known him longer than that. He was an old friend before they got together. He always visited, but I didn’t know he had kids until he and Mom started to date. I like him, but I’m not sure I’ll like his daughter and son, or if they’ll like me.

Kenzie, Chris’s daughter, is a year younger than me, and Sean is my age, nine. I don’t know much about them besides Kenzie is in a choir, and Sean plays ice hockey.

We’ve been in Birchen Beach for a couple weeks already. Summer break starts earlier in the US than it does in Europe. I barely noticed how fast those two weeks went by. Between cheer camp and going to the beach every day, I’ve been busy. But now cheer camp is over, and Chris’s kids are coming. I’m a wreck. Chris went to pick them up at the airport in Boston, and heshould be back any minute now. I’ve been waiting by the front window for half an hour.

When I see his car pull up the driveway, I jump from the couch. “Mom! They’re here.”

I want to run and open the front door, but I don’t want to appear too eager. Mom joins me in the living room, and we wait for them together.

Chris opens the door and lets his kids walk in first. Kenzie is the first to step foot in the house. Her hair is dark blonde and straight, and much longer than mine. It almost reaches her waist. She’s also much taller than me, despite being a year younger. But honestly, everyone is taller than me. I’m fairy size.

Sean follows his sister, and heck, he’stall. I’ll look like a hobbit next to him. His hair is lighter than Kenzie’s, but not as light as my blonde hair. If it weren’t for our huge difference in height, people might think the three of us are real siblings.

“We’re finally home,” Chris announces.

“Welcome to Birchen Beach,” Mom says to Kenzie and Sean.

They hesitate by the front door. I suppose this is nerve-wracking for them too. That helps me calm down. I walk over and extend my hand to Kenzie like I’ve seen grown-ups do. She looks more friendly than Sean. “Hi, I’m Ashley, but you can call me Ash.”

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