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“You’re not wrong about that. Everything going good at home, though? I know it hasn’t been long since I’ve seen you, but wanted to check on you and the little gremlins.”
I can hear the basketball bouncing in the background and imagine Levi’s lanky frame dribbling around the run-down court near the house. Every time I see the kid, he’s another foot taller.
He’s got the good genes, that’s for sure.
“Depends what you call fine. Carter joined the band at school, which is super weird if you ask me. He can barely clap to a beat. But Mable won the science fair this week, so she’s pretty stoked about that. Marsha and her worked really hard on building a 3D solar system out of modeling clay. Oh, and Tatum destroys everything now. He got into a thing of baby powder under Mom’s sink, and it exploded everywhere.”
“What?” I exclaim. “That’s wild. Who cleaned it up? Sounds like a pain.”
“Who do you think?” Levi asks, telling me without actually telling me.
“Levi, bub, you gotta speak up. You aren’t responsible for doing everything. Even something as small as that. Where was Mom?”
It infuriates me that he truly believes it’s his job to clean up everyone’s messes—literally and figuratively.
He’s sixteen,for God’s sake.
“Outside talking to the neighbor. I think something is going on between them. She’s over there a lot.”
Fucking hell. Rage simmers through me, annoyed that my mother is so incompetent, she can’t keep her eyes on her own kids.
“With fucking Mark?” I blurt out. “God, sorry, Levi. I didn’t mean to say that. But seriously. I hate that she puts everything on you. I’m gonna talk to her.”
“No!” he shouts. “It’s fine. I can handle it, Gus. Really.”
“But you shouldn’t have to, Levi. That’s my point. It’s my job as your brother to make sure you and our siblings are taken care of. Maybe I’ll see if Marsha is available to work more hours. Even when Mom’s there. Think that would help?”
The dribbling stops. “I like Marsha. She’s really good with Tatum and Delaney.”
If I have to pay her more money, I will. Hell, I’ll pay her damn mortgage if she stays there all day. I need someone I can trust. Someone honest and reliable, seeing as how my own mother can’t do that.
“Okay, bud. I’ll take care of it.”
“Sweet,” Levi says.
“Hey, you should come over and hang out sometime,” I tell him. “I could use the company.”
“Psssh. Don’t you have your baby mama to keep you company?”
Little shit.“Good one,” I applaud him. “But seeing as how she and I live together now, I’m not at the house with the guys anymore. It gets lonely sometimes.”
“Awww, is the one and only Gus Graves sad? Needs his little brother to come chill with him?” He’s mocking me like a little jerk, laughing because it’s actually funny.
“Think what you want, Tony Hawk. It’s an open invitation.”
“Tony Hawk? You really are old.” Levi laughs.
I am not.“Ryan Sheckler?” I barter.
“Jesus, Gus. Pretty sure Sheckler hasn’t touched a board in years.”
Gonna change the subject now since I clearly know nothing about skateboarders. “You learn any new tricks lately?”
“A couple. Some guys at the skatepark have been teaching me a bit.”
I’m glad he has friends. He needs them.
“Right on. You gotta show me some next time I’m at the house.”
