Page 133 of That's Too Pucking Bad

He stares at me like I’ve grown another head. “Yeah, sure, man, but… what the hell’s going on?”

I sit up, elbows on my knees. “My dad froze my accounts. Kicked me out. Told me I’m useless. And—” I pause, swallowing the lump in my throat. “And he got Remy’s mom fired.”

Caleb’s jaw drops. “Wait. What? Fired?”

“Yeah.” I laugh, but it’s bitter and hollow. “Apparently, he didn’t like me spending time with Remy, so he decided to ruin her life. You know, classic ‘teach me a lesson’ bullshit.”

Caleb rubs the back of his neck, pacing now. “Holy shit. That’s… that’s next level, man.”

“No kidding.” I lean back, staring at the ceiling. “So now Remy’s mom’s freaking out because they might lose their house. And I’ve got nothing. No money, no home, no plan.”

“Damn.” Caleb stops pacing and looks at me. “What are you gonna do?”

“I don’t know, man.” My voice cracks, and I hate it. “That’s why I’m here. Thought maybe you’d have some brilliant idea.”

“Brilliant idea?” Caleb snorts. “Bro, I barely passed Econ. I’m not exactly the mastermind type.”

“Yeah, well, neither am I, apparently.” I laugh again, but it’s more like a cough. “I’m screwed. Totally screwed.”

He drops into the armchair across from me, shaking his head. “This is insane. Your dad’s really that much of an asshole?”

“You have no idea.” My fists clench, nails digging into my palms. “When I was fifteen, he made me injure some kid on the ice because the kid’s dad pissed him off. Said it was ‘just part of the game.’”

Caleb’s eyes widen. “Dude, that’s... fucked up.”

“Yeah, well, that was my life.” I let out a breath, forcing my hands to unclench. “Point is, he’s always been like this. And now he’s dragging Remy and her mom into it.”

“We have to do something,” Caleb says suddenly, sitting up straighter.

“Like what?” I shoot him a look. “I don’t exactly have a lot of options here.”

“We’ll figure something out.” He’s nodding like he’s trying to convince himself as much as me. “We’ll come up with something. Screw your dad, man. We’ll fix this.”

“How?” My voice rises, and I sit forward. “How are we supposed to fix this? I’ve got no money, no job, and Remy probably hates me right now.”

“She doesn’t hate you.” He waves me off. “She’s just pissed. And pissed at your dad at that. Big difference. You’re probably good.”

“Yeah, well, pissed or not, I can’t just sit here and do nothing.” I stand, pacing now. “I need to find a way to help her mom. To fix this. But I don’t even know where to start.”

Caleb watches me for a moment, then stands too. “Okay. First things first, you’re staying here. No arguments. Second, we’ll figure out the money thing. I don’t know how yet, but we will. And third…” He pauses, smirking. “You’re gonna shower because no offense, dude, but you smell like sex.”

I blink, then laugh despite myself. “Thanks, man. I bet it’s real salty. I came like three times.”

“Damn, dude.” He claps me on the shoulder. “See, Remy doesn’t hate you if you’re still banging her. Now go clean up. We’ll brainstorm after.”

Chapter 30

The kitchen clock ticks loudly in the silence. I’m sitting at the table, staring at yesterday’s unpaid bills stacked neatly by the fruit bowl, which is empty, by the way. My mom cried herself to sleep last night. I could hear her through the walls, muffled and soft, like she was trying to keep it in. Now she’s still out cold. Good. She needs the rest.

I sip my tea— it’s lukewarm and bitter, but I don’t have the energy to care. My stomach’s been a knot since my mom got fired, and even tea feels like too much. I should be doing something. Applying for jobs, calling someone, anyone, who could help. Instead, I sit here, useless.

A knock at the door startles me. It’s early, barely past seven, and we don’t get visitors. For a second, I think maybeit’s my mom’s boss, coming to explain there’s been a mistake. Stupid, I know, but hope is weird like that.

I push my chair back, head for the door, and peek through the curtain. Colin’s standing there, holding a box and a to-go cup holder. What the hell?

I open the door halfway. “Colin? What’re you doing here?”

He smiles, kind of awkward, shifting the box in his hands. “Hey. Uh, my mom got a call from your mom last night. She told me what happened, so I, uh, brought cupcakes. And tea. Is it okay if I come in?”

---