“It means you probably paid for them, didn’t you?”
“I can hear you, asshole,” Kate shouts. “How are you, brother?”
I stop at a light in Bricksville just as the rain tapers off.Thank God. “I’m good. How are ya, Kate?”
“Living and loving life. Being a badass like usual.”
“Well, I see you still have your humbleness. That’s good.”
She laughs.
“How is Kennedy?” Mom asks. “Does she miss us yet?”
“Of course, she misses you.”
“Good. I don’t want to become obsolete.”
“Don’t think that’s happening anytime soon,” I say, hitting the accelerator again. “How’s Dad?”
“He’s out golfing with Kate’s neighbor. They’ve golfed almost every day we’ve been here.”
“Hey,” Kate says. “I heard you have a … what did Luke call her? A dime?”
I roll my eyes.
“Her name is Megan,” Mom says.
“Right.Megan,” Kate says, giggling. “How is Megan?”
I grip the steering wheel and cross the city limits.
Fields extend from the road on either side. There’s no light to be seen—no streetlamps or houses lit up. Not a damn thing. Somehow, it’s fitting.
“Megan is good,” I say. “She and Ken are like two peas in a pod.”
“What about you?” Kate asks.
“What about me?”
“Are you two peas in a pod too?”
I shake my head. “What have you done, Mother?”
“I haven’t done a damn thing,” she says. “I simply showed Kate a picture of Megan and let her draw her conclusions.”
“Right. You didn’t guide her to any particular conclusions. Sure. I believe you.”
“Give me the phone, Mom,” Kate says. The line gets muffled before Kate’s voice becomes clear once again. “Hey, it’s me. I walked into my bedroom for a little privacy.”
I sag against my seat.
“Are you doing okay?” she asks. “I know how Mom can be. And she left you there with Megan and Gavin and Luke. Good grief, Chase. How are you surviving? Do you have to fend the boys away with a stick?”
My jaw sets. “No. I just told them I’d break their necks if they do anything stupid.”
“Ah. So you do have a thing for her.”
I think about lying and saying I don’t. I consider ending the conversation and telling Kate to go play games with Mom. But then I remember it’s Kate who I’m talking to, and if anyone will hear me and understand what I’m trying to say, it’s probably her.
