“Nothing! I mean, it’s hard to explain. It’s just a summer fling.”
“A summer fling?” Jake snaps, his eyes darting to Garrett. “Are you banging my sister?”
I look to Garrett, but instead, my eyes fall on someone else.
Standing off to the side is Prim, a look of devastation on her face.
Oh, no-no-no—she’s supposed to be home in her room!
But of course, she snuck out and probably had one of her friends come get her. Nothing stands in the way of Prim getting what she wants. Even as a small child, if she were determined, she’d move heaven and Earth to get her way.
Jake’s eyes narrow, honing in on Garrett, who he’s dubbed as enemy. “You live under my parents’ roof—you eat OUR food—sit at OUR table—and this is how you repay us?”
Garrett puts up his hands apologetically. “It-it was an accident.”
“You accidentally fucked my sister?” Jake snaps, taking a foreboding step towards Garrett.
Oh, no-no-no!
I try to go over and diffuse the situation, but Brett’s wife pushes me back; this time, I nearly fall to the ground.
My eyes dart from the angry wife to my brother, to Garrett, to Prim, who is nowhere to be found, and back to the angry wife.
How is it possible that in one month, I’m fixing to have the two worst days of my entire life?
“I’m sorry! I promise I’ll never talk to him again!” I try to assure Brett’s wife.
“Oh, it’s a little too late for that,” the wife says, winding her foot back.
?
Garrett
I’ve done a lot of shitty things in my life, but perhaps the only irredeemable thing I’ve ever done is sin against the Carters.
“And you never thought to tell me?” Jake shouts, his eyes telling me there’s more pain than anger.
“I wish I had.”
I look over to see Ali being circled by Rose Mitchel, Irene’s face a mess of confusion.
“If it weren’t for us, you’d still be sleeping in your garage!”
“Please, you’re like a brother to me,” I reply in earnest. “I can’t lose you!”
Jake’s face twists with rage. “A brother—how dare you!”
“Jake!” Irene snaps. “Don’t act like you’re any better.”
Any better?
A look of guilt lights Jake’s eyes.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I look from Irene to Jake, then back to Irene.
Jake’s head hangs. “Shit!”
“Wait a second—are you really standing here giving me heck when you’re shackin’ up with my baby sis?”
