Page 65 of Someone to Have
“Skylark isn’t as lame as I thought it would be,” he answers. “It’s real pretty, even in winter. Nicer than South Denver. Close to the mountains, and you like hiking. Maybe we could stay there...or not.”
I hold my breath as we wait for her response. Jen was okay with me moving him out of Denver because of Rhett’s trouble at school. Plus she wanted him to be away from the neighborhood where her last scummy ex-boyfriend lived. We haven’t talked about the future. When you’re in crisis mode, the future seems like a long way off. But the fact that Rhett is bringing up the topic—is it too soon?
“Maybe we can,” she says carefully. “Do they have a good Thai restaurant?”
He laughs. “Not as good as this.”
“Then maybe I’ll learn to cook my own Pad Thai.”
He gives her a disbelieving look.
“No side-eye, kiddo. I can manage food that doesn’t come from a box or bag.”
“Sure,” he agrees, his voice cracking on the word. “Uncle Eric can probably teach you the basics. He’s a good cook.”
Damn.Uncle Eric.It’s the first time he’s called me that outright, and it gets me right in the feels.
“We’ll handle meals when we get there,” my sister says gently. It’s clear she wants to keep this visit positive, and I’m all for it.
“Ah, hell.” I thump the palm of my hand against my forehead several times. “I bought cookies at the bakery yesterday but left them on the counter in the apartment.”
“I have dessert covered.” Jen looks immensely satisfied with herself. “Somebody on my floor celebrated a birthday yesterday. His family brought enough cupcakes for an army. I grabbed a few of the leftovers.” She points at Rhett. “They’re red velvet.”
He grins in response. “Dude, I love red velvet.”
“Dude, I know,” Jen says. “Since you already plowed through your Pad Thai, why don’t you grab them out of the mini fridge in my room. Do you remember where it is?”
He looks between us like he knows she’s trying to get rid of him for a few minutes, but eventually nods. “Second floor, end of the hallway,” he says, getting up and heading for the nearby staircase.
Silence settles between Jen and me when we’re alone. It feels thick with unspoken memories and future possibilities neither of us are quite ready to name, and I don’t know quite what to say next.
19
ERIC
“Who are you,and what have you done with my brother?” Jen asks. So much for tapping into some deep emotional connection.
“Don’t be a dick,” I tell her because defensiveness is my go-to.
“It was actually a compliment,” she says with a laugh.
“Oh, sorry,” I mutter, poking at a piece of chicken on my plate then pushing it away. “I’m projecting on you because I’ve been kicking myself since I got back for being a dick.”
“You were never a dick,” she assures me. “Despite your propensity to poke yours into some questionable?—”
“Let’s not go there,” I interrupt. “I’m being serious, Jen.”
“And I’m giving you a serious compliment. Obviously, I’m not the only one doing better today. Do you realize I just had a conversation with my son that consisted of more than grunting on his part?”
“I can’t take credit for that. I didn’t do anything special. He likes Skylark. Toby and the team have welcomed him and?—”
“Yeah, yeah. Save the coaching kudos and tell me about this Taylor and the tutoring.” She glances toward the staircase. “We don’t have a lot of time.”
Nerves skitter across my spine and I offer what I hope lookslike a nonchalant shrug. “He wants to remain eligible for hockey, and his attitude sucked worse than his grades.” I don’t want to lie to her, but I’m not going to give all the details. I’m not sure she’s ready to hear them and I’m sure as shit not ready to say them out loud. “You know I struggled with reading. People said I was lazy. Didn’t apply myself. But if the words don’t make sense on the page, you can apply yourself all day and night, and it won’t help.”
“This neighbor is helping? Is she a teacher?”
“She’s a librarian but does a lot of tutoring. It’s making a difference for Rhett.”
