"How is he looking at me?" I ask with fondness and curiosity. I have blown my cover now.
"I knew it." Benny and Chase high-five each other.
"I can't talk about it now, but yes, somethingshappened."
"That boy looked like he wanted to carry you over the threshold of your new home, the way he was holding you." Benny fans himself off with his hand.
My heart begins beating erratically.
"Ha ha, okay, funny."
"I'm serious. Like you two are newlyweds and he's whisking his bride off into the sunset."
Chase ambles over and now I'm sweating.
"Are you okay? You're all red." He and Benny are both flapping their palms to conjure up some air while I catch my breath.
"I'm—I don't know. Anxious."
"Go get yourself something to eat," Chase suggests.
"Good idea."
"They have some wieners over there," Benny points to the grill, and when we glance the direction he points, Theo is standing in our line of sight.
Benny and Chase break out in hysterical laughter.
I flee their sides as I stave off feelings for my stepbrother. Walking to the stairs, the other side door of the house is open, and my dad is talking to one of his friends.
No one senses my presence, so I eavesdrop on their conversation.
"Amelia is so resourceful," my dad begins. "She will find something. I know she will. Coming home was her last resort."
"She's lucky to have supportive parents," the other voice says. I don't recognize who it is, probably a neighbor I haven't seen in years.
"Molly was so excited to have her back. And her son, Theo. I know we'll never be the typical nuclear family we each had before, but we love having them here. It's so nice."
"And you're not…worried?"
"No, I already had that talk with Amelia. Nothing will happen beyond a friendship. She might be an adult now, but she'll always be my little girl. I trust her."
Oh fuck.
Ameliaseemstohavedisappeared. She should be by my side as we humble ourselves with our new living arrangements.
"Have you seen Amelia?" I ask my mom, who is balancing a plate of watermelon slices.
"No, ask Bruce."
"That's okay."
"Theo, my goodness it's a simple question. It's not like you're asking him to adopt you. Stop it."
It's the first sign of cynicism from my mom and my body tenses at the reprimand.
"I know that, but—"
"But nothing. You're an adult. Act like one. We'll discuss this later."
