Page 1 (2/2)

But in the end it's all I'll think about, no matter what I do

Chapter 2

It's always been a little aard being around Nova Reed because we have soether and now that she's with my cousin, it's just plain weird I'in with I think it was around when I was eighteen and we had this really hot ht we did until she started crying and then ran off She was just always such a nice, good person and cute as hell and she saw otten to know her over the last few years and she really helped ed to sneak in a few kisses here and there, but she never really reciprocated them Then she fell in love with my cousin and I per cool Seriously, it's the story of ot close to with Nova Never had a real girlfriend Just screwed and screwed and screwed

But I'm over Nova for theas they don't ets old really fast

"So where are we going to go celebrate?" I ask, digging throughfor a clean shirt We stay inout of suitcases The 's better than the run-down trailer homes and crack houses I've lived in over the years

The ot a nice view of junkyard across the street, but it's only a couple ofso it makes it easy to walk there Nova and Quinton share the adjoining room next door, which allows ht now, he's wandered into my room and seated himself at the table near the

"Nova wanted to try that restaurant out on the north side of town" He's sarette, thecracked open so the soes outside

It makes the need to feed my own nicotine habit rise and I take one out ofin the sweet taste that feedsup the ashtray on the nightstand "See"

Quinton sighs as he puts his cigarette out in the ashtray and gets to his feet "Look, you know there's no way she's going to let us both go to a bar"

"Well, she technically can only tell one of us to do stuff" Ito crack a whip It's all fun and gah I kind of mean it He is whipped I reh and do nothing I sometimes miss it, miss the stillness, and the lack of responsibility to do anything Day by day That's e did But then again, ere kind of lucky to make it to the end of the day alive

He rolls his eyes at ue "Whatever man You knoell as I do that you'll come out with us"

I balance?" I ask, picking arette back up

He checks his watch and then nods at the door "Let's get going now We have to pick up Nova from the site and then we'll take a cab don"

"Fine, give o into the bathroos from my pocket I check the screen and see it's nore it, but then realize that if I do, she'll excessively call ht

"What's up?" I answer, balancing the phone between ne

"Hey sweetie," she says sweetly and I can tell she's on her meds by the sound of euphoria in her voice It's Ryder's birthday to it and ends up having to take a few sedatives over the course of the week until her eh was actually fro to be home"

I grab my wallet off the bathroom counter and tuck it in my back pocket "I already told you, I can't ht now, Moet it out ofinto ive up

She gives a really long, drawn-out sigh "Tristan, you have to It's Ryder's birthday"

"It was o," I remind her "And you didn't even call me"

"I'ot but this is important You need to be here"

"It's not that si at the ht I do exist "I'ht now"

"North Carolina? Why are you way out there? It's so far froher she sounds and the more pointless I realize this conversation is "Look, I have to go, Mom I'm headed out"

"With who?" She pauses "You're going out with him, aren't you?"

I should just lie to her It'd be easier if I did But I hate lying and I hate that she wants to push ainst Quinton I've made my peace with it Accidents are accidents Shit happens And holding on to it is tiring "If you mean Quinton, then yeah" I head toward the door "Look, we've been over this You can stay mad

at hi to let it go"

"Let your sister go," she gasps "Tristan Morganson, how dare you Don't you say that Don't you dare"

I stop in front of the door and press e of my nose There's no point in this conversation We've had the sa a broken record "Look, Mo disease free," I say, knowing she won't acknowledge it--anything related todays she won't, because she's ashamed of me I open the door "Call me tomorrow if you feel like it"

"You're a terrible son" It's her last atteuilty, to lure me home

"I know," I say, slipping on one of my boots "And I'm sorry for that Tell Dad I said hi"

"Tell hier"

"Bye, Mo up the phone and stuff it into the back pocket of my jeans before I put y, but that's June in North Carolina

Quinton is outside s on the curb just in front of the door I' beside hi to Quinton, her blue eyes are all lit up, so she's excited about so her work clothes, jeans and a black tank top, her brown hair braided to the side Her face is sun-kissed and she looks gorgeous, but she's notabout her that way

When she leans in and kisses Quinton, I almost back up and sneak into my room, pretend I'm sick, just so I won't have to see it, but mid-kiss she must sense I'm there because she opens her eyes and smiles at me

"Hey you" Her srats, by the way I've beento tell you that all day"

Leave it to Nova to congratulate rats?" I joke "What, no card?"

She lets out an exaggerated sigh, her lips quirking with amusement "Sorry, but I couldn't find one for your exact situation I think I'est that they need a hep C-free line" She grins