Page 21 of Kiss Collector
What? “How can you stick up for him?” I hiss, trying not to yell.
Mom shuts her eyes. “It’s... complicated. But he loves you and Zeb.”
Yeah. Sure feels like it. All the vivacious color in my life has turned gray and ugly in a matter of days. I feel dizzy as I stand there.
“Don’t tell Zebby,” Mom begs.
I can’t think straight. I stumble a step backward into the door. “I have to go pick up my friends from a party and take them home. Their ride bailed.”
This seems to surprise her. “You shouldn’t drive right now. You’re upset, and it’s late. They can call their parents.”
“I’mfine,” I say. “If it wasn’t for the move today, I would’ve been with them anyway.”
She sets her jaw. “Be careful, Zae. Do you have your pepper spray?”
“Yes.”
“Don’t stay out late. Take them home and come right back.”
I don’t answer. Turning, I rush down the hall. Zeb is passed out on the couch in front of the flickering TV, fully clothed. That was fast. Then again, it has been a long day. I shut the television off and pull the blanket from his old bed up around him. He snuggles down.
Something changes inside me as I leave our apartment—the bland, tiny box that will never be home. I feel the protective coating of my childhood innocence shed away, leaving me painfully exposed. Agony flares from every nerve ending, burning my eyes.
This is not just a break for my parents. They won’t be getting back together after some therapeutic time apart. Dad is with someone else—livingwith her. And nothing will ever be the same.
Chapter Ten
The drive to Jack’s house takes only ten minutes. My body shakes the entire way. I park across the street and make sure my eyes are dry and lipstick applied before I climb out, on a mission to find Lin and rescue her from pain and humiliation. Caused by a boy, of course.
I walk with purpose up the long driveway toward the house that’s thumping with life. I think about all the boys who’ve hurt me and my friends over the years. The boys who are looking for casual hookups with no plans of getting to know us. The boys who couldn’t care less if they hurt us, as long as they get what they want, moving on the moment they get bored. The boys who will be just like my dad someday.
Stupid, selfish creatures. Each one of them needs to be taught a lesson. They deserve to be treated the way they treat us. Used.
I burst into Jack’s house with vengeance in my heart. People yell my name and I raise my chin in mock nods, but my radar is poised to find my friends. Lo and behold, all three of them are shoved into the tiny hall bathroom where a line of grouchy girls waits. I knock and yell for them to open up. My heart clenches at the sight of Lin’s puffy red eyes, reminiscent of my mother’s. I hold out my hand and when she takes it, I pull her from the bathroom.
She digs her heels in. “I’m not leaving!”
Oh, boy. It’s her drunk voice. “Okay, fine, but let’s at least get some fresh air.” I pull her to the back deck. The four of us huddle in a corner and I squeeze her tight while she cries, leaning into me drunkenly.
Over her shoulder Monica and Kenz shake their heads at me with big eyes, letting me know what a disaster the night’s been.
“You know the best way to make him pay?” I ask.
Lin sniffles.
“Move on,” I tell her. It’s strange to be giving this advice, especially when I still feel so torn up about my own breakup.
“I don’t want to move on,” she sobs.
“I know, but he doesn’t deserve you, just like Wylie didn’t deserve me.”
“How can you be so strong?” she asks.
“I’m not strong,” I assure her. “I’m just really, really pissed off.”
That makes her crack a smile. “Can I have another drinkie?”
“No,” the three of us say in unison. She pouts.
