Page 23 of An Improper Deal (Elliot & Annabelle 1)
“Good for you,” I say finally. “But you should find something you’re really passionate about, not just something that can give you a lot of money.”
“What I’m passionate about is a big paycheck.”
I laugh through a tinge of apprehension. “Seriously?”
“Totally. If we had money, we wouldn’t have to live like this, and you wouldn’t have to take janitor jobs.”
A sudden lump fills my throat. I go over and give her an extra-tight hug. “Nonny, I’m so sorry.”
She hugs me back. “You’re doing your share, so I have to do mine, right? I’m going to help you finish college.”
“Don’t feel like you owe me.” I look at her. My lower jaw quivers, but I put on a smile. “I’m doing this because I love you. It’s you and me against the world now.”
“But if you didn’t have me, you’d be happier. Like Caroline. You could go out and have fun and stuff.”
“I’m happy exactly where I am. And if I lost you I don’t know what I’d do.”
Nonny looks skeptical.
I cock my head. “Did Caroline say something?”
She doesn’t answer.
God, that meddling bitch. I can’t believe this. “Don’t listen to her. She’s not worth it.” I put my hands around her arms. “Just worry about yourself. Not me.”
My poor little sister. She’s growing up too fast, maturing too soon. When I was her age, my biggest worry was how I was going to get away with skipping school and sneaking into parties with the older kids.
Nonny nods. As I pull away to go finish my dinner, her shirt slips, showing a bit of shoulder. She drags it back up fast, but not before I see something that looks suspiciously like a bruise.
“What’s that?” I take the shirt and pull it over. I was wrong about the discoloration being a bruise. It’s a bite mark. “Did you get bitten?”
Nonny’s voice is sharp, her motion jerky as she yanks the shirt out of my grasp. “It’s nothing.”
“We have to go to the hospital and get it checked.”
“It happened yesterday, and I’m fine. No need to waste the money.”
“It happened yesterday?”
She doesn’t look at me. “Just a stupid fight. It’s nothing.”
“Why didn’t you say something?”
“Because it’s not important! I yanked on her earrings, and she backed off. She’s dumb anyway.”
“Is she from the Evil Squad?”
“Yes, and she won’t do it again.” Nonny juts her chin out like a boxer before a match. A fierce light burns in her eyes, and I don’t know what’s happened to my sweet little sister.
She grabs her textbook. “I need to get some sleep. Gotta be up early for morning rehearsal.” She starts toward our bedroom. “By the way, don’t worry about the trip. I told the band director I can’t go.”
This hits me so hard I gasp. “Why?”
“You know…” She shrugs and kind of looks around at our cheap place.
“Tell her you made a mistake. You can go. I’ll make it happen.”
She shakes her head. “Forget it, Anna. It’s just a stupid hobby.” She goes into the room and shuts the door.
