I wait until we’re in the car and off school property before I turn around in my seat, ready to breathe fire.
“I’m so angry at you two.” Rage makes my hands shake. “This shit is not okay. Stealing and letting wild animals go in the school? Seriously? Mom might have let this crap slide, but I won’t. You’re almost fifteen, for God’s sake. Act like it.”
“It was just a prank,” Casen whispers, lowering his gaze. “It was supposed to be funny.”
“Funny, huh? Did anyone laugh?” I bite out through gritted teeth. “Because I’m not laughing. Your principal certainly wasn’t laughing. And when I walked in, neither of you were either.”
“It’s boring here,” Quinn complains, flopped back against the seat. “Can you blame us for trying to liven things up?”
“Yes!” I practically shriek. “Yes, I can blame you. That behavior is unacceptable, and it reflects poorly on me. By tomorrow, everyone in this town will know what you did.”
Caleb winces, glancing at the boys in the rearview mirror. “More like tonight.If they haven’t already heard.”
“Great,” I snap. “We moved here for a second chance. Clean slate. A do-over. And you’re already pulling the same crap. You’re so, so smart, both of you, so maybe try using your brains for good instead of evil, okay?”
They exchange a look and give muttered agreements.
With a sharp inhale, I make a decision, and before I can second-guess myself, I force the words out. “You’re grounded for a month. No video games and no television in your room.”
“What?” Casen darts forward in his seat with so much force, the seat belt catches him. “You can’t do that!”
“That’s not fair,” Quinn fires alongside him.
“Want to make it two months?” I threaten, my voice pure steel.
That gets them to shut up.
Once they’ve both slumped back again, I face forward, blinking back the tears I refuse to let fall. Anxiety claws its way up my throat and shrouds me in doubt. Maybe I’m not cut out for this.
Without a word, Caleb rests his hand on my knee and rubs soothing circles with his thumb. The light touch is surprisingly effective, quickly grounding me and making it easier to breathe.
Whether or not I’m cut out for this, I’m responsible for them, so I have to figure it out.
Caleb parks in the driveway, but none of us moves.
“Caleb?” I finally say, the quiet words piercing the silence. “Have any chores the boys could take care of for you? They’ll have a whole lot of free time for the next month.”
Caleb glances at them in the rearview mirror, and I swear he’s managed to join in on their twin telepathy.
What the hell? I glare at him, but before I snap, he clears his throat.
“The deck needs to be power washed. I’ll pull the power washer out.”
CHAPTER 15
CALEB
“What were you guys thinking?” I peer back at the boys as I tug on the power washer’s handle. I stored it under the deck after I last used it.
Two sets of shoulders rise and fall. “Don’t know,” Quinn says.
“You must’ve been thinking something.” With a grunt, I pull the power washer out completely. I haven’t even turned thirty yet, but I can guarantee my back will be screaming later. The deck doesn’t actually need to be cleaned, but it was the first thing that came to mind when she asked if I hadany chores for them to do.
At the end of the day, they just need to know there are people in their life who care. They’re begging for attention in the only way they apparently know how.
I set up the machine and show them what to do, then leave them to it, already thinking through other projects they could tackle to keep themselves occupied. Thelma and Cynthia could probably use some extra help too, and both boys seem to have a soft spot for the ladies.
The moment we got out of the SUV, Halle stormed inside. I stayed with the boys, figuring she could probably use a little time to cool down. Now, as I pad through the first floor, I don’t see her.
