Page 30 of The Rebound
“I didn’t know you were intending to stay so long,” she says instead.
“I’m not.”
“But long enough to get a part-time job.”
“I told you, it’s just so—”
“Okay,” Tomasz says loudly. “Who wants to see me put my finger through fire?” He pulls the candlestick toward him before swiping his finger through the flame. “See?”
“Thrilling,” Louise says flatly.
“Your turn.”
“No.”
“I’ll protect you.”
“You’re such an idiot,” she mutters but doesn’t protest when he lifts her hand, doing the same thing.
My sister smiles in a way I rarely see on her, soft and sweet, and I glance away at the suddenly intimate moment, meeting the eyes of the still crying child, now with tomato sauce smeared all over their chin.
“I think I’ll have the lasagna,” I say, and turn to catch the waiter’s attention.
The mood doesn’t get better when the food arrives. Louise and I eat our dinner in silence, while Tomasz keeps up a steady stream of chatter about the dire fate of his football team back in Poland. Two scoops of surprisingly good gelato follow, but with nothing to talk about, we ask for the check and then we’re back outside, lingering by the door as Louise puts the receipt away and Tomasz rubs her back and I stand there wishing I hadn’t come. I wish I’d stayed home and given them an evening to themselves, especially when Tomasz works so many night shifts.
“I think I’ll do a loop around town,” I say, zipping up my jacket. “Get some fresh air.”
Louise opens her mouth but Tomasz gives her a not-so-subtle dig with his elbow. “Okay,” is all she says.
“I might go to Pete’s,” I add, glancing down the road at the pub. “See who’s around. I promise I won’t wake you.”
“If you’re sure.”
“Positive. Don’t wait up.”
“If you find a rave, let us know,” Tomasz says with a grin. He places an arm around Louise’s waist and steers her in the direction of the house. I pretend to go the other way before slipping down a side street, instantly regretting my decision.
Now what?
A couple of people linger around the Chinese place a few doors down and I can hear music coming from Pete’s, but I have no inclination to go there tonight. It’s not the kind of place where I could drink anonymously in the corner.
But I can’t go home. I want to give Louise and Tomasz some time together that doesn’t involve me hiding in my room like a sulking teenager.
But I’m not used to this. This having nothing to do. Ialwayshave something to do. There was always work. Always life in between work. Always Tyler. Always Jess. Always parties and dinners and bars and co-workers and friends of friends. Being alone was never an option. Being alone with nothing to do was unthinkable. I don’t even have laundry. Louise did mine the other day because she said she didn’t trust me to do an eco-wash.
I stare down the street, feeling sorry for myself when my phone vibrates against my hip. I don’t need to look at the screen to know who it is. Mam’s already messaged me twice since I broke the news this afternoon and no doubt she’s calling to confirm that Aunt Ellen would bemorethan happy to have me stay with—
“Abby?”
I clutch the phone to my ear, swallowing my automatic greeting. The person on the other end sounds as surprised as I am.
Not my mother.
Tyler.
“I didn’t think you’d pick up.”
The sound of his voice is jarring and I find myself glancing over my shoulder, almost expecting him to appear.
