Page 36 of Never With You
I rub my temples in an attempt to alleviate my suffering. “I cannot believe this is happening.”
Brookside is where I and all the other nine Cattersons went to school. Pulling into the parking lot feels like returning to the scene of a crime. But instead of a murder, it’s where I had to fend off jokes about my large family over and over again. Nate pulls into the pickup lane, and I jump out.
“Stay here! I’ll get Caroline.”
I rush inside the building, waiting patiently for them to unlock the doors to the front office so I can sign out my sister.
“Oh, you must be Caroline’s big sister. I’d ask you for your ID, but you two look exactly alike.” The office lady has a friendly smile, but even that couldn’t lift my spirits right now.
“That’s me.”
“We just need you to sign your name on this pad.” She scoots a clipboard in front of me, and I scribble my signature on the line.
Caroline comes around the corner with her backpack and a throw-up bag. She looks taller than the last time I saw her. When was the last time I saw her? Probably Christmas. A tinge of guilt squeezes my ribs with the message:You’re a terrible sister.
“Hey, Caroline.” I offer my best mom voice, but it’s counterfeit. “I hear you’re feeling sick.”
Her blue eyes well up. “Where’s Mom?”
“I don’t know.” I put my arm around her shoulders, ushering her out of the office. “But I’ll take you home.”
“I threw up all over my desk.”
“That’s okay.”
“Everyone laughed at me.”
“Well, kids suck,” I say as we approach Nate’s truck.
“Is this your car?”
“No, I was at work when the school called.” I fling open the door and gesture for her to get in the back. “This is Nate’s car.” My eyes shoot to him. “He’s nobody important. Just someone I work with.”
“Hi, Caroline.” The way he smiles at my little sister should be outlawed. No woman stands a chance against that kind of tenderness.
“Hi,” she mutters as she climbs in and gets situated.
“How are you feeling?” he asks.
“My stomach hurts.”
“Should we take her to the doctor?” Concern edges the corners of his eyes—another thing that should be outlawed when you’re desperately trying to dislike someone.
“No, she’ll be fine. Let’s just go.”
Nate shifts into drive and slowly pulls out of the parking lot. “Where am I taking her?”
“Uh…” I didn’t think about how Nate would have to drop her off at my parents’ house. It’s fine as long as he doesn’t go inside. That was my motto growing up. Despite my best efforts to keep up appearances, nobody had to know how disgusting the Cattersons were. “I’ll put the address into your navigation.”
“Caroline, I can’t believe how much you look like your big sister, Carly.” His brown eyes flick to the rearview mirror so he can see her as he speaks. “And I can’t believe how big your family is. Where do you fit in?”
“I’m the youngest.”
“But you seem so old.” He shoots her one of his charming smiles, instantly winning her over.
She perks up. “I’m eight.”
“Whoa! That’s big. Just like your family.”
