Page 40 of Told You So
“It’s fine. I told you, whatever you need, I just—”
“Thanks.” I stretch in my seat, about to say goodbye when she says, “Nick?” Her voice is cautious.
“Yeah?”
“I know there’s a weird connection between you guys, and I also know you don’t need me to tell you this, but...just be careful, okay?” Although I don’t need a warning or for her to worry about me, I appreciate the hell out of it.
“I know...Thanks, Sam.”
“See you later.”
“See ya.” A weight lifts from my chest when I press END, and I peer into the living room again to find Bethany watching me, worrying her bottom lip. She’s beautiful and looks innocent, even if I know she’s a siren behind those soulful eyes. I’ve never understood her hold over me, but it’s moments like these, when she’s vulnerable and real, that become etched in my mind and stick with me for days after.
I give her a thumbs-up and flash her a smile that’s a bit more enthusiastic than I feel. Whatever the back and forth between us has been over the years—the misconceptions and run-ins and arguments we’ve had—it’s all come at a cost: distraction – curiosity – a slew of unanswered questions and an inexplicable desire.
Bethany’s phone rings, and when I look inside again, her eyes are wide with worry, then narrow. “Jesse, slow down,” she says and tucks her hair behind her ear. “What?” Her words are muffled through the door, but when she rises to her feet and begins pacing the room, I know something’s wrong.
I head inside, quietly sliding the door shut behind me.
“I don’t think that’s what she meant, Jesse.” Bethany’s voice is calm, but her demeanor is anything but. “Mom wouldn’t do that.” She walks a line from the kitchen through the living room and back again.
Growing more anxious, I take a step closer. It feels like I’m in middle school again. I want to help her, even if I don’t know how, but if history’s taught me anything, it’s to stay out of it. So, I hang back and give her space.
Abruptly, she stops. “Wait, what?” Her mouth’s agape, and when she registers me standing a few feet away from her, she turns her back to me and her voice quiets. “I know, J,” she says, placating him, and even though I get that this isn’t my business, I can’t help the sting of her snub, knowing she’s blocking me out, again.
Nineteen
Bethany
“Dad says the Sunset program isn’t worth it—he’s gonna pull me out, Beth!” Jesse cries. It’s the most desperate he’s been in a while, and my heart breaks for him. “They’re my only friends.”
“I know, J,” I say unsteadily and pull at my hair. “I’ll figure something out, okay?” My grip tightens around my phone. The fact that this is happening makes me want to scream. The kid can’t catch a break when it comes to my dad, and I’m done with it all. “Is Mom home?” I’m already shoving my things into my bag before he can answer.
“They’re arguing downstairs.”
“All right, well, I’m on my way. I won’t let them pull you out of your program, okay? Just stay up in your room—stay away from Dad, and I’ll be there in ten minutes.”
He sniffles in the phone.
“Okay?”
“Yeah,” he says, sniffling again, but it’s going to be hours before he’s feeling like himself again. “Love you, J.” I hang up the phone and drop it into my bag. When I look up at Nick, concern creases his brow.
“I—uh—I have to go. Sorry. I know we have a lot to do, but I have to get home.”
“What happened? Is Jesse okay?”
I shake my head. “Nothing’s ever okay,” I bite out, but I know Nick isn’t to blame. Taking a moment to pause, I clear my throat. “Jesse struggles a lot in school for obvious reasons. I’ve talked to his teacher and she’s pretty cool, I mean, she tries to be understanding, but Jesse isn’t very social—he wasn’t making friends until we put him in this after-school program for kids with developmental issues. It’s small, so he feels comfortable there, which ishuge.” I shake my head, still struggling to accept that my dad is so detached from our family’s reality. “My dad wants to pull him out.”
Nick frowns. “Is it a money issue?”
I freeze, my hair falling into my face. I forget Nick doesn’t know my dad, though I’m not sure why I’m surprised. No one does, not really. “It’s not the money. There doesn’t have to be a reason for my dad to be a dick.” I finish gathering my things and peer around Nick’s living room. “I take it Sam agreed to the project?”
“Yeah,” he says with a nod. “We’re good to go.”
“Thanks for doing that. Text me, okay?” I write my number on his notebook and turn to leave.
“Just meet me at the ranch tomorrow,” Nick says. “Ten o’clock? I’ll text you the address, and we’ll figure it out from there.”
