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18. Chapter 18

Chapter 18

ISABEL

It was late the next morning when Annie and I trudged our way out of Emma's house, exhausted, and ended up stopping for iced coffee before heading home. I had a ton to do today, and the mountain of stress was clawing at my chest, the pressure of my audition weighing me down alongside my grief, but after last night, Annie and I were in desperate need of a sister talk.

We sipped at our coffees, and I was gaping by the time Annie finished filling me in about her afternoon yesterday.

"I feel like such an ass." I groaned, dropping my head to my hand in the chair I'd curled up in.

Annie gave me a sympathetic look I didn't deserve. "You didn't know."

"Yeah, because I was such a jerk to you when you came to pick me up. And with that comment at the party. I've been so stressed about my audition that it's making me a monster. But that's no excuse." I shook my head, disgusted with myself. "If I'd just been a decent human being, we could've talked on the way to the party. I am so sorry, sis."

"Thank you." Annie's mouth pressed together in a small smile. "I know this audition is important to you, but it takes up all your time, and Tucker gets your nights. I miss you. I feel alone now, especially with Jet's attention divided. I'm sick of Nic."

I couldn't help but smile at the disgusted look that covered her face at the end. "I'll agree that yesterday was bad. I can see why you're mad at him. At both of them. But, at least, you and Nic don't fight like y'all did in the beginning."

"Oh, the tension's still there. Trust me. But yeah, it's not Nic that I'm worried about right now. It's my fight with Jet. We don't fight, sis, but it feels like that's all we've been doing since Nic got here. I can't wait for him to leave. And then that Ruby chick. He's so oblivious that she wants him. I could feel it the first time I met her." Annie glared at her cup as she stabbed her straw up and down, her dejection palpable. I felt it pulsing in my chest like it was my own, it was so strong.

"Just a few more weeks for Nic." I offered her a small smile. "Graduation's just around the corner, and you know Jet would never leave you for Ruby. She's like my Lisa. Delusional. Just ignore her. Jet will only be working at the shop a couple more weeks before starting football camp, anyway. Sorry. I know it's just a lame bandaid and not the fix you're really wanting," I added when she sighed.

"No, but it does give perspective. There's a light at the end of the tunnel. Is it bad that I'm hoping next year has way less drama? "

"No. I think we're all hoping for that."

"You know you could free up more time for dance if you'd just quit that daycare," Annie hedged, and I raised a warning eyebrow. Not in the mood. "Alright. Alright. I'm sorry for trying. But really, thank you for the talk." She gave me a smile, and my heart pulsed, enjoying our sister moment. "Now, all I need to do is fix things with Jet."

It wasn't much longer before we finished our coffee and left, and the absence of tension between us on the way home was like a giant breath of relief. I hated feeling at odds with my sister, and she was right. We weren't getting enough time together. The last thing I wanted her to feel was alone.

I was about to suggest pushing off my practice with Leo for a couple of hours for us to go see a movie or head to the beach, even if it meant extra hours in the studio tonight, when I turned the corner onto our street and frowned.

"What's Uncle Blake's car doing here?" Annie voiced what I was thinking, and we exchanged a look.

Nerves now wracking my middle, we headed inside and found Uncle Blake sitting at the kitchen counter, reading over the stack of bills I knew Annie had planned to go through today, something she did every weekend. He looked up as we came in, and I immediately knew something was off.

I reached out automatically, my hand finding Annie's as she searched for mine.

"Hey, girls. It's good to see you. Looks like y'all are keeping on top of things pretty well." He referred to the bills on the counter. "The house looks really good. I'm impressed. "

Annie's chin went up. "Yeah, well, I've been handling most of the things around here ever since we lost Daddy. And when it wasn't me, it was usually Izzy."

Sadness flickered over Uncle Blake's expression, and he walked towards us. We didn't approach. "I wish y'all would have reached out to me. Or even your Nana. I know we're across the state now, but one of us would have found a way to be here for you."

My face hardened, falling into some weird state of neutral mixed with bitch mode that didn't feel like me. "You could have checked in more."

"You're right. I could have. I should have. I had just hoped for the best. My sister, your mom, has always been so strong, and when I didn't hear from y'all, I let myself believe everything was okay. I called her several times, but she put on a really good show. I should have checked with you, too. I screwed up. Is there any way I can get y'all to forgive me?"

My breaths were short, my heart racing, so many emotions were pounding through me, through us, Annie's like a mirror through our tether to mine. But the sincerity in our uncle's apology was so intense that I wasn't surprised when I felt my armor start to crumble.

Simultaneously, Annie and I rushed forward, throwing our arms around him and burying our heads into his chest. He wrapped his arms around us, holding us tight. So much tension leaving the room as I felt a tiny piece of me scabbing over to heal.

I brushed away a tear when we finally stepped back, but the relief was short-lived when Annie said, "Are you just here to check on us, or is there something else? "

Uncle Blake's face shifted, and he ran a hand back through his dark hair. He looked so much like Mom in that moment that my heart jerked. He had a few more lines on his face, being a little older and with the stress of being a cop, but everything from the eyes up was like a carbon copy of our mother. I didn't want to miss her. I was still too angry.

His next words did not hit well.

"I'm heading to the rehab center to pick up your mom today. She's ready to come home. I was hoping y'all would like to come with me."

A torrent of emotion flooded through me, knocking the wind from my body, but Annie blew up for us both.

"You're kidding, right?" she hissed.

"No. She's done the work. She's ready."

Annie shook her head, anger and denial splayed across her features. "I don't give a fuck if she's done the work . She didn't give a shit about what she was doing to us when she overdosed."

Uncle Blake's eyes narrowed. "You know the overdose was an accident. I'm so sorry that you were the one who found her. I can't even imagine how that felt, but she'd never do that to you on purpose. She regrets it. It's killing her not to see y'all. That y'all have pulled away. She deserves another chance."

"And we deserve a mother who doesn't abandon us when we need her most," Annie tossed back. "Let her go stay with you because we're not ready to get her back."

"This is her home , Annie, but I will be staying here in the guest room for a couple of weeks to make sure everything's okay." He sighed. "I know you're mad, and hurt, but what about your brother? Doesn't he deserve to have his mom back?"

Annie swallowed, fury still pulsing through her glare, but she held her stance. "Don't do this," she pleaded. "I'm not ready. We're not ready." She reached out for my hand, and the second she grasped it, it was like someone had taken a chisel to a block of ice, breaking me free from my frozen prison. I sucked in a gasp of air, everything hitting me like a brick. I wasn't ready. I was so far from ready.

I yanked my hand from Annie's, taking a step back, my heart pounding. I couldn't hear. There was a pulsing in my head like water was rushing through my ears. The pressure too much. Their faces shifted into concern, alarm touching their eyes as I took another step back. And another.

"I have to go."

I turned and bolted, flinging open the front door to race to our truck. It took three turns before the ignition kicked in and the engine roared to life, the seat vibrating beneath me. I threw it into reverse and hit the gas, Annie's alarmed expression watching me from the porch as I pulled away.

I couldn't handle it. I couldn't think. I needed some way to process, and right now I could only think of one place where I could do that. I called Leo when I reached a light, wishing Tucker wasn't at work so I could have called him first.

"I'm heading to the studio now. Meet me?" I said, desperation thick in my voice when he answered.

"What's wrong?"

I shook my head, silently cursing. I didn't need him asking questions. "Just meet me. Please. "

He was silent for a beat, but then I heard, "Okay."

Relief washed through me as I tossed my phone back into my purse. I needed to escape. To process. I wasn't ready to face my consequences from that night. All I wanted to do was shove it back because Mom never would have had that accident if I hadn't taken off. If I hadn't lost control.

Like I'm doing now… My stomach sickened, and I forced myself to take a breath and pull into a gas station for a minute to gather myself. The last thing I needed was another accident. My phone rang, and I knew it was Annie without even looking. Just like I knew the one a few minutes later was from Tucker, that Annie had let him know I needed him. But I wasn't ready to talk. I needed to dance, and Leo would be waiting, ready to work on our partner piece we still hadn't mastered.

I glanced down at the dash before pulling back out and scoffed, annoyed. Apparently, I was close to repeating part of that night, anyway. Backing up, I pulled up beside one of the pumps and got out to fill the tank. I leaned back against my truck, everything in me drained. There just wasn't much left to give. My emotional tank was on empty just like the tank in my truck.

My phone started ringing on the seat again, and I knew I was going to have to answer soon. I couldn't ignore them forever. It wasn't fair, and with the way I'd taken off, I was sure Annie was worried.

God, I was a shitty sister.

Forcing myself to take in several long, deep breaths, I closed my eyes and was finally starting to calm when someone said, "Looks like it's my lucky day. "

Everything in me tensed at that familiar dark voice, and my head whipped to the side to see Zane standing right by my gas tank. His car was at the pump behind mine, the gas ignored. He'd zeroed straight in on me.

I wanted to cry. Zane was the last thing I wanted to deal with right now.

"Please, don't. Not today." My voice sounded weak, and he frowned, shifting so his arm leaned against my truck.

"Something happened. What's wrong?"

"Nothing, Zane. It's just a really bad day."

"How can I help?" He stepped closer.

"You can't," I snapped, my eyes flashing, frustrated that he once again refused to get the message.

"I can if you'd let me. Is it Tucker? I've heard the rumors, and I've heard about your mom being gone. I'm sure that must be rough. Why don't we go somewhere? Talk?" He took another step closer, his body now leaning over mine as he reached for my hand, and I flinched back against the side of my truck as my thoughts spiraled. Because he would. He would bring her up.

My throat clenched as tears threatened to spill, and I desperately blinked them away. He was too close. Too many memories threatened to surface as my body remembered the consequences of having him near, my breathing becoming panicked and harsh as my PTSD tried to kick in. I shoved against his chest. "I said you can't help, Zane, so stop! You're just making it worse! You always make it worse."

"Hey! She's telling you to stop, so back the fuck off!" Someone appeared, forcing Zane back, and my eyes almost bugged out of my head when I realized it was Micah in a standoff with my ex .

"Like you're any better than I am. I remember what you and your brother did. This is none of your damn business." Zane glared, his fists clenching at his sides, but Micah just crossed his arms over his chest, his large frame hiding me, giving me the chance to escape into the cab of my truck. I scrambled inside, watching them from the side mirror.

"She. Said. Stop. Now, leave her alone, or I'll be removing you myself."

They stared each other down, but when Zane saw that I'd ducked into my truck, he backed away, glaring at Micah until he was in his car and driving off.

I waited, tucking my head against the wheel as Micah put away the pump and replaced my gas cap, and he tapped at my window when he was done. I sat up, my hands shaking as I rolled it down.

"You okay?" he asked.

I nodded, though I was about three seconds away from breaking down. I was so confused. My nerves wrecked. "I'll be okay."

He studied me for a moment, and I saw the skepticism in his blue eyes when he finally jerked his head in a nod. "You should call Tucker." I nodded, and just when Micah started to walk away, he turned back. "I know this isn't the best time to ask, but I don't know when else I'll get a chance. So, first off, I'm sorry. I know Ryder and I messed up, but I was hoping you could ask Tucker to give us a call. He's got us both blocked, but we just want the chance to work things out with him. With both of y'all."

I stared, speechless.

"Just think about it," he finished before walking away.

Leo didn't say anything when I got to the studio. He just took one look at me with my leggings and t-shirt and hair still in a sloppy bun from the party last night, and he turned on the music, holding out his hand for our starting pose.

I seriously couldn't ask for a better dance partner.

We were there for hours, the majority of the day ticking away as I lost myself in the dance, and by the time we were done, I collapsed onto the mats in the back of the room. Leo looked down at me, and I scooted my aching and buzzing and tired body over a few inches so he could sit. He took the offered spot and leaned back against the wall, dabbing a towel over his sweat soaked skin and hair.

"I don't know what went down today, but I'll tell you this. The energy you brought in here and everything we just did? You're going to nail that audition."

My head rolled to look at him, shocked. "Are you serious?"

"Dead."

"How?" I asked, that familiar doubt creeping in. "I still feel so behind. You know how much I regressed."

He leveled me with a look. "And you've worked your ass off to make up for it. Plus, that latest choreography you put together. It's about Zoey, isn't it?"

I blinked and looked away, my chest growing tight again. "How did you know?"

"Because your heart is literally out on that dance floor. I feel everything in it, and those judges will, too. You need to trust yourself."

I nodded, processing .

"You want to talk?" he hedged next.

"Mom's coming back. Today." I blurted it without even thinking, and Leo sucked in a breath, looking away to stare out at the studio floor for several minutes before he replied.

"I wondered what tipped the scales today. You've been through hell, Izzy, but honestly, that's your ticket. You take all of that emotion and leave it out on the floor, and it's fucking stunning."

I couldn't speak for a moment, overwhelmed. "Thank you," I managed to choke out. "Guess something good had to come from all the shit I've been through."

My eyes widened, shocked at my brazen humor, and Leo grinned. "There's my dance partner. I wondered where you've been." He bopped me lightly on the head with a karate chop and stood, holding out his hand. "Come on. Time to call it. You've got a mom waiting at home."

Oh, God.

I called Tucker when I got out to my truck, wishing I'd called him back sooner.

"Hey, princess." I heard the worry and all of the questions that filled those two words.

"Hey. I'm sorry I didn't call sooner. I was at the studio with Leo…" I paused, and Tucker left the quiet to sit, somehow knowing I was working up to more. "Mom's coming home today. Or she has. I don't know."

"Annie told me. And yeah, your uncle pulled up with her about an hour ago. Archer's back home. He couldn't get over there fast enough."

I closed my eyes. "Meet me there when I get home?"

"Whatever you need."

TUCKER

I set my phone on the porch rail when I finished the call with Izzy and looked over at Jet. We were both covered in sweat, the two of us out in my driveway the past few hours with a basketball.

"Izzy finally called?"

"Yep. She's on her way home. She wants me to be there. Have you heard from Annie yet?" I tossed him the ball, and he just tucked it under his arm, worry crossing his usually steady features.

"No. You know we talked earlier, but then I managed to piss her off again, and she's still out on her run. I feel like the world's worst fuckup boyfriend right now. Her mom's coming home, and instead of offering her support, I just made her feel like crap. I seriously didn't know the Ruby thing was such a big deal. She's just someone I work with."

"Yeah, but I told you Annie didn't trust Ruby. That girl's trouble. You just don't want to see it."

Jet shook his head. "I see that Annie's worried, but I still think it's over nothing. At best, Ruby is a friend ."

"To you ." I gave him a look, wanting him to see. "Take it from someone who used to play the field. I know the fucking games, man, and Ruby wants you. You better watch it, or you're going to end up with your own Lisa on your hands. Except Annie's a lot less tolerant than Izzy. My girl ignores it. Annie's going to tear Ruby to shreds if she goes too far. "

Jet rolled his eyes, and his head fell back. "Even if she wants me, I don't want her. Why isn't that enough?"

The fuck? Where was Jet's head? How did he not get this? "Annie's jealous, man, and she's going through a lot of shit right now. That's why it's not enough. Think about it. Has Annie ever been jealous before? And even if she's not, she's having to stake her claim. She shouldn't have to. You better fix that shit before it comes back to bite you in the ass."

Jet frowned, and I prayed some of what I said was finally starting to sink in. His phone rang, and when he pulled it out, I saw Ruby's name across the screen. I shot him a look, and Jet sighed, dropping his phone back in his pocket. "Okay, I hear you."

"Good. Now, call your girl and fix things before she comes home because tonight's gonna be rough. I'm gonna go take a shower before Izzy gets back. Seriously, call Annie." Jet nodded, and I watched him pull out his phone as I headed inside, feeling like I was in the twilight zone. Because since when had I been the one that gave relationship advice?

ANNIE

The pavement pounded beneath my feet, my head spinning, chasing my euphoria. I would have to go home soon. I knew it. But I was just so damn frustrated. Jet had always had my back, but today, he'd let me down, and it felt like the rug had been ripped out from under my feet. I did not know how to process this, especially today. I needed him today more than ever, but all he'd done was tell me I was overreacting. It felt like I'd been slapped in the face.

I'd grabbed my workout gear and ran.

It hadn't helped.

Now, it was getting late, the sky turning into the pink and orange hues of sunset, and I knew I couldn't leave Izzy to face Mom alone. I slowed, resting my hands on my hips as I caught my breath, and paused to send my sister a text, letting her know where I was. She could pick me up on her way home.

Izzy: Be there soon.

I sank down to the ground, resting my elbows on my knees, and I dropped my head into my hands just as my phone rang.

My heart leapt, somewhere between a confusing mix of joy, hope, and apprehension when I saw Jet's name across the screen. Bracing myself, I answered.

"Hello?"

"I'm an idiot. I should have just listened to what you had to say. It doesn't matter what I think. If it bothers you, it's valid. I'm sorry."

Tears burst from my eyes, and I choked back a sob, those words exactly what I needed to hear.

"Annie? Sweetheart?" Worry threaded through Jet's tone.

I sniffed and wiped my tears away with the heel of my palm. "I'm here. I'm fine. I just really needed to hear that."

"You deserved to hear it sooner."

I shook my head. He was just so wonderful. "I'm sorry we fought. I was mad at the others more than you, but when you didn't back me up… "

"I know. I'm sorry. And I'm sorry we fought, too. Where are you? Do you want me to come pick you up?"

"Um, no. Izzy's about to come get me. Will you meet me at the house, though?"

"I'll be there."

We hung up, and I made a weird laugh-sigh noise in relief. I hated being at odds with Jet. It just wasn't natural.

Just one demon left waiting to handle now…

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