“Okay, okay. I’ll drive you back.” He groaned as he turned the Jeep around. “Whatever.”
That last comment just pissed me off more. Zack drove through the school gate and I reached for the handle before he’d even stopped. As my limbs vibrated with fury, I tugged on the door, but it wouldn’t budge. “Damn thing is stuck.”
He reached over and flipped the switch, unlocking the door. He froze, his arm touching mine, and stared at me. He inhaled quickly twice.
This time, he couldn’t act like it was my imagination. “You just sniffed me.” I gave him a look of loathing before flinging open the door and stomping to my car.
Another crappy day. Life just had to get better.
I took extra time driving around the neighborhood to burn off my rage. When I parked in front of my house, I noticed a red Jeep approaching.
What the hell was Zack doing at my house?
CHAPTER SEVEN
I hadn't noticed Zack in the rearview mirror following me, but I hadn't looked either. What was with the guy? He never hid his dislike for me, yet everywhere I went, there he was.
He parked along the curb and skulked around to the passenger side of his car. Scrambling out of my Taurus, I slammed the door.
“What are you doing at my house? Stalking me?” I asked.
Opening the passenger side of the Jeep, he reached in and pulled out my backpack, then stomped over and tossed it at my feet.
“Please stop making me come to your rescue.” He turned and thundered back to his car.
I’d been rude to him when he’d gone out of his way to make sure I didn’t get in trouble for not doing my homework. I felt small. “Sorry. Thank you!”
Without turning around or acknowledging my existence, he climbed into his Jeep and turned it around. I felt like a super-dork as I watched him speed away.
About a block down, a yellow Corvette pulled away from the curb after the Jeep. That was the second time I’d seen that car follow Zack. It couldn’t be a coincidence. Maybe he owed money to the mob and that’s why his job was so important to him. Or drug dealers? Whoever it was, they’d had plenty of chances to hurt Zack and he was still alive. He wasn’t in any immediate danger, right?
After picking up my backpack, I trudged inside. The scent of garlic and herbs met me at the door.
“Who was that outside?” my mom asked, snuggling with my dad. “Didn’t sound like Daniel.”
“Just a guy from school.”
“How was your day?” Dad asked.
A yucky feeling sat in the pit of my stomach, but I faked a smile. “Great.”
I ran upstairs to get started on my homework and later, returned for dinner — tofu chicken with gravy, mashed potatoes and steamed asparagus.
“Mom, this is so good.” I wolfed down the last of it, sighing as I set my fork down.
“Glad you liked it.” She took a sip of water, her gaze darting to my dad, then back to me. “Your dad’s got several more jobs lined up and they all want him to start right away.”
Right away? My breath caught in my lungs.
“The first job’s in Arizona, then Montana,” he explained. “New Mexico will take longer, so we’ll do that last and stay a while.”
I’d miss finals and prom. Not that the latter mattered much since I no longer had a date.
“New Mexico would be semi-permanent?” I asked through the buzzing in my ears.
“Yes,” Dad said.
“Or you and I can go straight to New Mexico and get settled in.” My mom smiled angelically, like she hadn’t just squashed all my hopes and dreams.
“My birthday is in six days.” I took a quick sip of my grape juice. “I’ll be eighteen.”
She let out a quick laugh. “I’m well aware of that. I’ve been bugging you for weeks to tell me what you want for your birthday.”
“I know what I want.” My foot tapped against the floor as I imagined their reaction to my request.
Dad smiled hesitantly and my mom looked guarded. “What’s that, sweetie?” she asked.
“I want you to leave me here. Go do the jobs, then come back.”
He shook his head. “No. Not an option.”
“I don’t want to move again. Dragging me around so I can’t even graduate — it’s not right.”
Mom reached across the table and held my hand, speaking softly. “I’m sorry, sweetheart. We don’t have a choice.”
I took a deep breath and returned her hand squeeze. “You may not have a choice, but I do. Legally, in a few days, you can’t make me go. I’m staying.”
Dad narrowed his eyes. “Excuse me?”
I took a deep breath, hoping to steady my heart pounding against my ribs. “The longest I’ve been away from you guys is overnight for a sleepover.” I paused to chew my lip nervously. “Since you won’t buy me a new car...”
They sighed in unison.
“Instead, I want to stay here and finish school. You can go without me and treat it like a second honeymoon or something. Or a working vacation. Whatever.”
The way they stared, you’d think I’d asked them to hire a male stripper for my birthday. I waited patiently for their response, leaning back in my chair, and folding my arms across my chest to appear tougher.
“No.” My dad narrowed his eyes. “We’re not comfortable with that. Choose something else.”
My confidence faltered. As protective as they were, why had I thought for even an instant they’d cooperate?
“Sweetie, where are you getting these ideas?” She moved the chair out and stood with a hand on her hip.
“Sometimes, I come up with my own ideas, Mom.” I rolled my eyes and rose to meet her gaze. I leaned against the dining room table to support my wobbly knees. “You guys avoid leaving the house except at night when you go running. If one of you goes on errands, the other stays. I’m almost never alone and when you’re not around, you’re constantly texting me. I’m being smothered. Don’t you see how unhealthy that is?”
Dad’s brows furrowed and his mouth dropped open, as if my words were too foreign and terrifying to absorb.
“Whatever you’re thinking, stop now. It’s not going to happen.” My mom moved around the table to stand in front of me, her hands rubbing my arms soothingly. “We have no desire to be away from you, sweetie.”
Oh, boy. I loved my parents, more than anyone or anything, but there was something so wrong with how they treated me. “Fine, then don’t leave.”
“If the idea of moving upsets you that much, your mother can stay with you here.”
Her head whipped around to scowl at him, then back to me. “No, that won’t work. She’s coming with us.”
“Mom, in six days, I’ll be legal to do whatever I want,” I reminded her.
Dad tensed and Mom gasped. “Don’t be silly,” she said. “How would you survive without money?”
“I’ll stay with Maya and get a weekend job.”
He narrowed his eyes. “You’re bluffing.”
“I don’t know what’s gotten into you.” Mom grasped my shoulders, eyes intense. An instant later, her eyes softened and she released me. “When you have your real birthday list, let me know.”
“It’s not going to change, Mom.” I’d gone too far to back down now. “Everything you do, from making me budget my allowance to saving up for a car, why bother? How can I learn to fend for myself in the big bad world if you never let me?” I glanced from my mom to my dad. “Do you know what it’s like with you two worrying incessantly over me? Do you know how stressful it is to worry whether or not you’re worrying?” I shook my head. “I’m done with that. And I’m done moving.”
My mom paled. I felt bad for upsetting her, but reminded myself this would be good for all of us. “You can always come back and check on me between cities,” I said, lightening my tone.
They exchanged looks for what seemed like minutes. I wiped my palms on my jeans and waited, determined to hold out until the bitter end.
Dad bolted fro
m his chair and towered over me. “This is ridiculous, Autumn.”
I stood my ground, keeping my tone firm. “No. Playing musical houses is ridiculous. And I’m not waiting for your permission. You have two choices. Let me stay here in this house and help me finish school. Or lose me to Maya. Pick one. I’ll be up in my room.”
I dashed up the stairs and collapsed on my bed. I couldn’t decide if today had been the worst day ever or the best day of my life. I was free of Gina and the pressures of being popular, done with fighting off Daniel’s disgusting advances and I just might have a chance at a life in a town with friends I loved.
Regardless what my future held, with everything I’d been through, today still sucked. Exhaustion strained at my peace of mind and unshed tears burned behind my eyes. Burying my face in my pillow, I succumbed to sobs.
† † †
There was a knock on my door as I finished dressing after a shower. “Come in.”
My parents stepped into the room, each with their usual lit cigarette between their fingers. I cringed inwardly as the smoke wafted up to the ceiling. Not wanting to throw them off course by complaining, I kept quiet.
“We’ve decided to turn down the jobs,” my dad announced with a proud smile.
It was what I’d been hoping for, but now it wasn’t enough. They’d go right back to their extreme hovering and paranoia. “But that doesn’t solve the other problem. You guys need to be without me for a while. And I need to be on my own, at least for a couple weeks so you can see that I can do it. I need that freedom.”
When they stared speechless, I was pretty sure I had them. “Both of you will go to Arizona. Turn down the others if you want, so long as you stay gone for at least two weeks.” I knew they’d negotiate it down.
“Autumn, I’m ashamed of you,” my mom scolded. “Two days. That’s it.”
“Ten days,” I said.
“Three days.” Dad’s eye twitched.
“Seven days.” I lifted my chin.
He folded his arms over his chest. “Three and a half days.”
“We could do this all night.” I glanced at the clock by my bed with exaggerated movements. “I’d rather you enjoyed yourselves for two weeks, but let’s cut to the chase. Four days or I’ll call Maya and start packing.”
My dad’s eyes turned to slits before sharing a look with my mom.
“Maybe we were wrong.” She tilted her head, studying me. “It’s possible we haven’t given you enough credit.”
Did that mean they were giving in?
“You have yourself a deal,” Dad said a moment later. “Four days. Goodnight, sweetheart.” He quietly closed the door behind him.
Yes! I did it. They were going to leave me alone for four long, glorious days. No one around to hover or obsess over me.
I allowed myself a moment to revel in my triumph, then sat on my bed and opened my laptop, determined to find something about my new and unusual abilities.
My situation was curious to say the least. Maybe I needed to think outside the box. Myths? Legends? Aside from vampires, werewolves and various other paranormal creatures, information was sorely lacking.
An hour later, I had accomplished just as much as the previous nights. Nothing. My only hope of discovering more about myself was taking the opportunity to experiment as soon as my parents were on a plane. I snapped my laptop shut in disgust and rolled over, drifting off with a vision of my mom and dad basking in the Arizona sun and having the time of their lives — just the two of them.
† † †
When I turned the key the next morning and my car did absolutely nothing, I plopped back against the seat. Right then, I would have given almost anything for a new car.
Hurrying back inside my house, I hoped one of my parents would be presentable enough to drive me to school. Otherwise, I was going to be late.
“Mom. Dad,” I called, my voice carrying beyond the empty living room.
“Car won’t start?” My mom popped through the kitchen doorway. She was all done up and completely gorgeous, her long black hair pinned up away from her neck and showing off her exquisite face.
“You’re psychic.” I smiled.
“Let’s go.” She found her keys and motioned to the door.
“We’ve decided to do the Arizona job, then come back here and regroup,” she said, once we were on the road.
“Where in Arizona?” I asked.
“Scottsdale.” She glanced over her shoulder before switching lanes. “But we’re leaving tonight, not Friday. We’ll eat dinner early, get ready and go for our run at the last minute. You can take us to the airport.”
Sooner? Bonus! But it was so strange, almost too easy. “Why the rush?”
She smiled. “We want to be home for your birthday on Monday. If we leave tonight, we can return Sunday night and would’ve fulfilled our end of the bargain. If the job isn’t finished yet, your father can go back alone.”
It was almost too good to be true. Except I didn’t love the idea of driving them to LAX on a Friday night up the 405 during rush hour. On the other hand, spending that time with them would be nice since they’d be gone for a few days. “What time is your flight?”
“We’re leaving out of Burbank at nine-fifteen.”
Going to Burbank airport would save me an hour of driving. Hallelujah.
My mom pulled up to the curb with five minutes to spare before my first class. We’d made good time. She unhooked her seatbelt and pulled her keys out of the ignition.
“What are you doing?” I wasn’t the only student who found it embarrassing for a parent to go inside the school.
“I can’t leave town without informing the principal and making sure he knows how to get in touch with me.”
“They have your cell on file, Mom. Geez,” I said glumly. Why did I think, even for an instant, they could go cold turkey? “You’re the only parent who’d speak with the principal in person. No one does that. See, this is a perfect example of why you’ve been blackmailed into leaving.”
She opened the door anyway, then stopped. “Who is that boy? He looks too old to be a student.”
I followed her gaze to the wide double doors of the school and instantly deflated. I didn’t bother hiding the antipathy in my tone. “That’s Zack. And, yes, he’s a student here.”
Her eyes shot to mine, an eyebrow raised. “Sounds like you don’t like him.”
“Not particularly.” Zack was scrutinizing the crowd. I wondered who he was searching for. “He’s an ass.”
“I can call the principal later.” She closed her door and started the car again.
I didn’t know the reason for her abrupt change of mind and I didn’t care. It was enough to know she wasn’t going inside. “Meet you here after school?” I asked.
She nodded and waved, looking a little preoccupied.
“’Bye, Mom.” I glanced toward Zack again, but he’d already left. So had practically everyone else. I needed to hurry or be late for class.
† † †
After fourth period, I took a different route to the cafeteria, hoping to avoid anyone unpleasant. Slipping into the lunchroom through the back door, I scanned for Maya or John. Instead, I saw Daniel. He was in our usual spot talking with Jeff and a couple of his friends. I did a quick visual for Gina, but she wasn’t at any of the tables. Zack and Trevor were seated in their usual place. Maya was there too, right next to Trevor.
I wanted to talk with her, but Zack was a major deterrent. So I kept myself busy picking out a walnut salad, minestrone soup and a banana muffin.
Another glance around the room and I found John in the far corner. He waved at me and I waved back. Tray in hand, I took a step forward to meet him as Maya grasped my arm.
“Trevor asked me out this morning.” She beamed.
I squealed. “I knew he would.”
“What are you doing this Friday?”
“Anything I want.” I grinned. “My parents are leaving town for a few days.”
> Her mouth dropped open. “You’re kidding!”
“Crazy, right? I was hoping you were free to hang out.” I wiggled my eyebrows.
“Perfect. Because I told Trevor we’d hang out with him and his friends Friday night.”
I swallowed hard, feet fixed to the floor and prayed she’d tell me Zack was not part of the equation. “Which of his friends?”
“You and me with Zack and Trevor. Can you believe it?” She said, stepping aside for someone to pass. When she focused on me again, her face wilted. “Are you okay?”
Maya had said friends. Plural. Where were the others? But if I told her how badly I wanted to avoid Zack, she’d feel guilty and her plans with Trevor could be ruined. I couldn’t let her down.
“I’m fine. That’s great you’re getting together with him. I’m happy for you.” I nudged her with my elbow and motioned with my head to an empty table. “Come sit with me for a minute. It’ll give Trevor a chance to miss you.”
She giggled as she fell in step with me. “Not a bad idea.”
“Have you seen Gina today?” I asked.
“No, she wasn’t in second period.” We stopped at the nearly empty table and Maya tilted her head. “It’s lunch time and you haven’t spoken to her?”
“Uhm…” I sat at the vacant end of the table, then glanced over at the guys. Zack stared at me as though he was trying to figure something out. I turned my head, unnerved by his intensity. “I caught her making out with Daniel yesterday after school,” I whispered.
“Oh.” Maya eased into the chair across from me as air whooshed from her lungs. “I knew Gina was a bitch, but, wow.”
“Yeah, wow.” But Maya didn’t really seem all that surprised. “Did you know about them?”
Maya glanced over each shoulder as though checking if anyone else could hear. “Not specifically, no.”
“But you know something. Spill it,” I said in a hushed voice, taking the lid off my salad.
“Gina and I were best friends last year,” she said. “Back then, she barely knew Trevor existed until I’d told her about my crush. She started flirting with him the next day.”
I reached for her hand and squeezed. “That’s why you two don’t get along? Why didn’t you tell me?”