Page 31 of Bring You Back

“Not quite,” I announce as Grumbles leaps up, and Tommy turns just in time for her to tackle his legs before she runs back and disappears into the guest room.

He laughs with me as I say, “What’s with the music?” just as it changes to a spooky instrumental complete with thunder and a piercing scream.

“She’s a Halloween cat,” Tommy reminds me, a hint of teasing in his next words. “You should’ve heard her singing along to ‘Monster Mash’.”

“I bet she was,” I say with a chuckle. “You really don’t have a life, huh?”

I realize I’m joking about having a life. Funny the things you notice after the loss of one.

“You’re the crazy cat lady,” he says, eyeing me pointedly.

Accurate.

By most people’s perceptions, Tommy doesn’t have what one would consider “a life”. His world revolves around his parents, his friends, and basketball. Though, I haven’t seen his ball since I’ve been back. He used to parade it around like a third arm. You knew he was coming by the sound of ball bouncing against pavement.

He doesn’t have a paying job. His parents provide everything for him, so if he doesn’t have to take that responsibility, why should he? I would’ve done the same thing back then if I’d had the option. Now, I just see it as more loss of control.

Some say Tommy is spoiled, but those people don’t know or understand his circumstances. Nothing has rubbed off on him. He has his moments, as we all do, but for the most part, he’s loyal, selfless, and giving.

“You coming to Reyna’s showing?”

I turn to face him when he maneuvers past me to step into his white sneakers, worn from use. “Herwhat?”

He laughs at the disgusted look on my face. “Herartshowing.”

I roll my eyes.Nowhe wants to clarify. “You did that on purpose.”

“No, you live in the gutter.”

I smirk and raise my brows in agreement. I probably would beliving in a gutterif Naomi wasn’t so kind.

“I saw her at work. She didn’t say anything to me about it.” Reyna loves the support of her friends, and she’s a bragger. If she didn’t say anything, it means she doesn’t want me there.

Progress isn’t always easy progress.

“Come, anyway,” Tommy encourages, stomping into his second shoe. “She wants you there. You have to show you give a damn.” He bends down to adjust a leg of his jeans that Grumbles bunched up in her attack. “Justbeinghereisn’t enough.”

Don’t I know it.Not that I expect it to be.

“So.” I cross my arms, my voice taking on a teasing tone. “It seems Shelby works with Reyna.”

Tommy springs to standing. “Shut up.” He opens the door to escape and I laugh with no attempt to stop him. He stops himself. “It’s a recent thing.”

“Sure,” I say with a nod. “Stillvery interesting.”

“Shut up,” he says again before attempting escape number two.

I stop him now. “Hey!” He peers back at me from halfway around the door. “I’ll text you my new number and you can text me the time.”

He gives me a nod, then he’s out the door. I open my contacts and shoot him the text now. If I wait too long, I might forget or talk myself out of going.

I might’ve lost my friends. Or they might’ve lost me. But I never lost their numbers. They’ve been programmed into my new phone since I got it.

Show I give a damn.

I find Julian’s number and text him, too, deciding that my plans for the day will be determined by who responds first.

The chime sounds a moment later, in time with another scream from the stereo, and I sigh on my way to the guest room.

---