Page 53 of We Shouldn't Be Together
Freddy whacks my leg. “Shoes off the seat.”
I huff, sliding my feet off his precious leather seat.
“I’m good!” I hear Kai’s voice call back.
“See,“ I complain. “Told ya not to pull over.”
Ignoring me, Freddy calls out the window, “Where ya headed?”
“Home.”
“Duh. Where’s home?”
“I don’t need those she-devils knowing where I live.”
I roll my eyes. “He’s not worth your time, Fred. Let’s just go.”
Freddy turns to me with a skeptical look in his eyes. “He’s still calling you a she-devil. So, you two didn’t get any work done?”
I shrug. “We got enough done.”
He doubles down on the look. “Is that a big, fat no?”
“Freddy, I’m not working with him. Mrs. Field either has to reassign me, or let me do my assignment solo.”
“It doesn’t work like that. You need a partner for the assignment.” Freddy glances back at the sidewalk where Kai has walked well away from the car. “Is he really worse than Cammy? I can’t imagine she’d be much help.”
“Workwise, I’m sure he’s better. But at least I can handle Cammy’s mood swings. Kai is a very different beast.”
“Can’t you do your schoolwork without making crass comments?” Freddy asks like he’s not asking the hardest thing ever. “Cammy obviously can’t breathe without gossiping, but guys aren’t like that. If you just do the work as fast as possible, you’ll be away from him in no time. I promise, Tab, it won’t kill you.”
“You’ll be answering to Dad if it does.”
He laughs, pulling the car back onto the street. “That’ll test Drew’s theory that I can do no wrong in Dad’s eyes.”
“How the heck did Drew get through an entire day of school without the correct uniform?”
Freddy shakes his head, letting out a low whistle. “I dunno, but I doubt Mom and Dad haven’t heard about it from the school.”
“Another screaming match in the house.” I give a sarcastic cheer. “Yay.”
“And that’s why I doubt he’s still home.”
11
Whatamonumentalwasteof time. Luckily, Dad was finishing up with a client on Main Street, so I met him at his car. I could’ve walked it, but it’s hilly and I’m in a bad mood. With my driving test coming up, he let me drive home, practicing parallel parks and switching lanes.
Dad kept glancing at me the entire drive, sensing something was up. I really goofed it when I sped past a stop sign. I braked hard, only getting half a car-length into the intersection. But it’s enough to have a conversation about not getting my car.
Thank Thor it wasn’t Mom in the passenger seat, or I’d still be hearing about it. At least Dad just gave me a lecture about speeding and obeying road signs. Mom would’ve questioned if something else was wrong, not giving up until she pried it out of me. Which means she’d still be at me now, because there’s no way I’m discussing this.
I block out the thought as I sit in the upstairs living room, playing Shadow Quest and listening to the latest Zachary Fleischman podcast. This is the third episode about the hidden chamber behind Mount Rushmore that’s filled with government secrets. If this combination doesn’t block out the thought of Mom standing over me, asking a million questions, nothing will.
I’m actually glad Parker drove the guys out to Logan’s Point. Otherwise, they’d have already turned up here before I got home. I wouldn’t put it pastthem to comment on my sully mood. Earlier, Tyler sent a text, asking why I was walking out with the Jones kids. I replied I wasn’t and left it at that. I was lucky it wasn’t Parker or Lewis who saw me. They don’t give up as easily.
I don’t need my friends asking why I voluntarily left school grounds with Tabitha Jones. Hmm, was it voluntary? Or was it avoiding a pummeling from her brothers?
Anyway, it’s done and I can forget it.
