He chuckles, rubbing the back of his neck. “Oh, I know,” he says, and I bump him with my shoulder. “I worked for your dad a little, so I have some extra cash.”
“I swear my dad likes it when you come in for a few hours more than some of his full-time employees.” My dad has said how hard it is to get reliable workers, and most of them will flake when he needs to finish a project.
“Yeah. He’s close to a deadline and needs some extra help.”
We get our order and head for the table in the back corner, one that we frequently like to sit at. Each grabbing our food, I waste no time and dig in. I have a mouthful of my sandwich when I realize that Clayton is staring at me.
“What?” I say, with my hand covering my mouth.
“I have never understood how someone as small as you can eat so much.”
I swallow. “Hey.”
He doesn’t apologize, only shakes his head and digs into his sandwich.
“Has your dad been working a lot?” I ask before taking another bite.
He nods. “He’s never worked this much. I think it’s bothering my mom too.”
“My parents want to have you all over for dinner, but last night, I overheard my mom telling my dad that your parents wouldn’t nail down a time.”
He shrugs, but his fingers leave dents in the bread from his grip tightening.
“Hey.” I grab his hand and squeeze until he looks at me. “I’m sure it’s nothing to worry about. They’re probably busy. Your dad has a lot on his shoulders with his work too. I think all dads do.”
Clayton nods, giving me a small smile in thanks.
10
CLAYTON: THEN
Clayton:17 years old
“Hey, Mom. I’m heading to pick up Rylee. She might drive my truck since she just got her license, but I don’t know. She’s not the best driver.” My hand pauses on the door handle when soft cries come from the kitchen. I turn around and find my mom. Her hands grasp the granite counters on both sides of the sink. “Mom?”
She quickly wipes the tears from under her eyes. “Hey, honey.” She turns and gives me the best fake smile she can muster. “What do you have planned with Rylee today?”
“We were going to go for a run, but I can stay here if you need me.” I take a step closer, but she shakes her head. I hate seeing my mom upset. She’s always there for me, and I have to make sure I’m always there for her.
“No. No. Go, have fun.” She reaches out and squeezes my shoulder, giving me a small smile. “I know you’ve missed her.”
Rylee got a job as a camp counselor for two months, and it’s the longest we have been apart since we met. Saying I’ve missed her is an understatement. We do everything together, and it was hard not seeing her every day.
“Why are you crying?” She's one of the happiest people I know, and she doesn’t cry unless something bad has happened. My entire life, my mom has always been the one to help me find different techniques to ground me. I wouldn’t have been able to cope without her.
Her hand gently cups my cheek. “It’s nothing. Your father and I had a little squabble.” She turns around and goes back to doing the dishes. “I think I just needed to let a few tears out. I’m okay.” Peeking over her shoulder, she smiles at me again, as if attempting to make me believe what she’s saying. “Tell Rylee I said, hello.”
I nod. “Okay.” I watch her for a few seconds before wrapping my arms around her and tucking my chin on her shoulder. I’m now a good amount taller than her, but she has never been a tall woman.
“Oh.” Her hands gently put down the cup and grasp my arms wrapped around her. “Thank you,” she says, her voice a little shaky.
I kiss her on the side of the head and walk out of the room, picking up my gym bag on the way out the front door. I pull into Rylee’s driveway a few minutes later. She runs out of their front door just as I pull in, like she was waiting for me by the window. My heart skips a beat, and my brain contorts in confusion. I can’t take my eyes off of her. Her hair sways in long brown waves from her ponytail, and she’s wearing black leggings and a loose blue T-shirt from our high school. Her eyes lock on mine, and her lips stretch into a smile. Pulling the door open, she hops inside and wraps her arms around my neck. I don’t think I’ve blinked since she came out. Something is different about her. My hands grip her sides, unsure if I should push her away to look at her or pull her closer. Rylee pushes against my shoulders to sit straight again and slaps me in the chest.
“I missed you,” she says with a bright smile.
My eyes narrow on her mouth. “Your braces are gone.”
Her smile only grows. “I know. I got them off right before I left. Isn’t it great?”
