Page 17 of The Perfect Steal

Hazel reached out a hand and placed it on my forearm. “Brynn, he’s actually a good guy. I think he just needs some people to see that. Anyway, I need to get these things downstairs before people start eating the fake fruit down there.” She scooped up several plastic containers and a bag of chips, stopping just before she took the first step down. “You always have me to talk to when you need it.”

Hot tears sprang to my eyes, and I nodded. “I’ll be fine. It’s just an adjustment, you know? Just, please don’t tell anyone about it. I don’t need the looks of pity from everyone.”

“Is your mom still having a hard time?”

“A hard time? She acts like we’re strangers in the house, or that we’re intruding on her ‘me time.’ And the rare times my mom and dad are home together, it’s like walking through a battlefield, worried I might get hit by flying ammo.” Okay, that was an exaggeration, but my parents didn’t know how to keep their voices down at all.

“No matter what happens, you’ve got people to help you out. And I know your friends are there too, even though you push them away.” Hazel gave me a little wink and squeezed my hand.

I wished she wasn’t right about that last part. Penny, Serena, and Kate had always been there for me, but it was hard to see them so happy all the time while I mentally wondered if my life would be a duplicate of my parents’, if I ever got into a relationship. It was easier to keep myself super busy so I didn’t have to think about all those things. But right now, I was going to just relax and be here.

She gave me a quick smile and disappeared, leaving me in the quiet kitchen. I loaded up the last of the food from the table and took it downstairs, ducking as I went through the doorway. Just another perk of being tall.

I thought of Hazel, of the easygoing life she had here. She and her two younger sisters were all good friends, and their parents doted on them without making them spoiled brats.

What would my life look like if I’d grown up with my uncle and aunt as parents instead of my own? The fighting, the silence, the lack of caring at times. Those had all affected me in more ways than one.

But graduation was only a year and a half away. I just hoped I could survive that long.

10

Nate

I’d finished washing my hands in the bathroom behind the kitchen, and when I opened the door and heard Brynn and Hazel talking, I probably should have come out sooner, or at least announced I was there.

The relationship between Brynn and her mother sounded strained, from the first bit I’d heard.

Things were clicking into place when it came to Brynn. At times she could be easygoing and even funny, while others it seemed like the stress of life was taking over. Granted, we hadn’t worked together on anything yet, but from my few interactions this week, that’s what I’d concluded.

My parents occasionally fought, usually over the time spent away from each other now that my father was mayor. But it wasn’t to the point of wondering if they were going to stay together or not.

The fact that her mom was distant was hard too. What had changed? There wasn’t anything I could think of at the moment, but it was something to look up later. Maybe some family tragedy? Were her parents divorced?

Did I stay and try to pretend I hadn’t heard anything? Or maybe I should head out and just call it a night after a long day. Losing the championship game didn’t help my mood either.

My keys were downstairs on a side table. Guess that made up my mind for me.

I took the steps quickly, thinking maybe I could grab them and head out before Colt noticed. It wasn’t like I knew any of these people since they were Hazel’s friends. And I wasn’t sure if talking to Brynn would be good right now since I’d just heard about her parents’ relationship.

I went to step through the doorway and ended up smacking my forehead on the header. Spots floated before my vision, and I held the spot, trying to get the pain to subside a little faster. When would I learn that most of these older houses weren’t built for tall guys like me? Had Brynn hit her head as well?

After a quick scan of the room, I settled in next to the pool table, watching Colt and a couple of other guys and girls playing. One of the freshmen from my team, John, lined up a shot, hitting the ball into the corner pocket.

“Nice, John,” I said, watching as he stepped around the table and lined up another. He sank two more before he tried to hit a long ball and missed.

He leaned back against the wall, his hands on the pole as he waited for one of the other guys to go. When he glanced up, he grinned. “Hey, Nate. What are you up to?”

“Just hanging out. Colt invited me. Did you come with your sister?” I asked, my gaze scanning the room for the tall brunette. I’d remembered thinking the resemblance between them was close once I’d seen Brynn at a game.

“Yeah, she’s over in the corner.”

I leaned over. “Good. I, uh, have to go talk to her about our group assignment. Are you ready for the games next week?” I felt bad just asking where his sister was without seeing how he was as well. Maybe I’d learned a little something from my father about interacting with people.

John gave me an excited smile. “Yeah. I’m ready to crush Groveton.”

“Nate, you made it,” Colt said, walking over and holding out his hand for our handshake.

“What are you talking about? I’ve been here for a while,” I said with a smile. Sure, I’d been stuck in a bathroom for a chunk of that time, but I didn’t need to mention that.

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