Page 33 of Silver Tears

“He did.” I nod. “Worse part is he says I have to tell dad by the weekend.”

Seb drops a kiss on my cheek. “It will be fine.”

I snicker. It really won’t be fine. Dad will not be happy to hear I’d betrayed him. I’m dating an Ace, a member of the four families who have done everything to stifle his growth here in the Bay. My phone pings, and I pull it out of my pocket. It’s a text from mum:

NEED MONEY FOR ELECTRIC METER

I sigh. More money. As fast as I earn it, it’s gone. I literally have ten pounds left in my account. I forget Seb is sitting behind me and I jump slightly when he takes my phone out of my hand and reads the message.

“This a regular thing?” he whispers in my ear, returning my phone to me.

I sneak a glance at the others, but Vee and Rafe are busy looking at something on his phone and Archer is chatting to Eliza as he waits for the next game to upload. “Yeah,” I admit. I should have said no. He doesn’t need to know any more about my situation than he already does. He knows too much as it is.

“Is this why you work so much?”

I nod my head again and jump slightly when Seb squeezes my waist. “Let’s get drinks.”

I climb to my feet, and Seb gets up behind me and asks the others what they want. He leads me by the hand into the kitchen. I yelp in protest when he picks me up and deposits me on the kitchen worktop.

“Talk to me,” he insists, with a frown, stepping in between my legs and holding my eyes prisoner.

“She lost her job last week. She’s been drinking a lot, and she doesn’t leave enough money for food and utilities.” I look down at my hands and realise I’m digging my nails into the flesh of my palm. Seb uncurls my fists and rubs at the angry red marks.

“You shouldn’t be giving her all your money. She needs to sort herself out.”

I snort. “I won’t leave my little brother without food and a warm home. If I have to work every god damn evening after school and all weekend to keep him safe, then I will.” I raise my chin in determination and look him square in the eyes.

“You shouldn’t be carrying all this on your own, Mills.” He tucks a lock of my pink hair behind my ear.

“It’s fine. They’re my family and they need me.” I pull my phone out and transfer my last ten pounds to her bank account. “Let’s hope she uses it for the meter and doesn’t piss it away on alcohol.” I chew on my bottom lip. “I worry every time I leave Charlie. I was awake until two last night worrying about him and this whole thing.” I gesture between the two of us.

“I shouldn’t have dragged you here. You’re tired. Jesus, Mills, two jobs, volunteering, perfect grades, and looking after your mum and brother. When do you get time for you?”

I shrug my shoulders. I’ve opened up far too much tonight and given him more to blackmail me with. Why is it that when I’m around him, I feel the need to offload. Seb Collings is the last person I should trust.

“Come on, let’s grab these drinks. We’ll stay for another fifteen minutes and then I’ll get you home.”

I don’t protest. I am tired. As much as I appreciate him getting me an interview and a job tonight; I have lost valuable study time that I’ll not get back.

Seb tells the others that I’m tired and we leave to drive home. Seb is quiet most of the ride to my house. He seems pissed off.

“Are you pissed about something?”

Seb shakes his head, his frown replaced by a soft smile. “No, I’m not pissed, Mills. I just don’t think you should carry this all on your own. Maybe you could confide in Day?”

“No!” I growl. “That’s not happening. Day will run straight to Luca and Luca would run straight to dad. I’m fine. I don’t need help. I have this situation under control.”

“Well, you have me now. So, promise you’ll come to me if it gets too hard?”

I sigh, studying him. Why is he being so nice? Isn’t he a selfish fucker out for what he can get?

“Why would I?” I ask him curiously.

“Because Mills. Like it or not, I’m a part of your life for now. There is no shame in saying you need help.”

Yes, there is. I never fail at anything. The thought of failure brings me out in an icy shiver. I blink when I realise he’s pulled up at the bottom of my drive.

“I don’t trust you. So why would I trust you to help me?”

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