I duck out from under his touch, my words irritated. But not surprised. If anything I’m surprised they’ve stuck around this long. They haven’t gone longer than a month between trips since I turned fourteen. Thank god for Cora.
But Jake’s mom isn’t here anymore. They didn’t even come home for her funeral. “When are you leaving?”
“In… an hour?” My mom at least has the grace to look mildly embarrassed. “Sorry. Cupboards are full. And we’ll transfer you some money.”
“But… we’re supposed to be having dinner.” Disappointment sinks, a stone in my stomach. “Kenny is coming over, remember? You were going to meet her—,”
“And we will,” my dad cuts in. He’s not looking at me. “We just can’t right now, Maxy. When we get back, we’ll rearrange.”
For the third time. “When are you back?”
“This loop takes around two weeks.” My mom moves to her drawers, pulling out some sort of spray that she tosses in. “Give or take. We were lucky to get in, Max. Deryn called us—,”
“I don’t care what Deryn said,” I snap. “You’re supposed to be here. You promised.”
Just like they promised last time. And the time before that. “I may as well move in with Jake now, instead of waiting.”
He’s on his own at home, and I’m on my own here more often than not.What’s the point?
My mom’s sigh is faintly patronising. “You’re getting older, honey. You need to do what you think is best. We’ve prepared you as best we can, but you know we don’t want to settle.”
They might not, but I do. Not that anything I want has ever mattered.
“Fine.” I cross my arms. “I’ll let Jake know. What about the house?”
Mom shrugs. She doesn’t even seem bothered. Her eyes slide back to her rucksack. “We paid up front. Lease doesn’t run out for another two years. We could sublet? Drew, what do you think?”
I’ve finally captured my dad’s attention. He frowns, studying me as he steps away from the bed. “No. Keep the keys, Max. Let the lease run out on this place.”
“Is that parental guilt I hear?” I tilt my head.
He sighs, the concern wiping away. “You’re seventeen. Your pack is right here. You’re going to be fine. And we’ll still need a base, at least for now. We can come back and check on you.”
As if I’m an abandoned pet. My throat tightens, and I force a nod. “Don’t do me any favors. Enjoy your trip. And don’t worry about the money. Just make sure the bills are covered, if you’re thinking of coming back.”
I’ve been funding my own food for the last year, since I started working as a guide on weekends and after school. Every hour I could.
I’ve always known my parents were… temporary. That I had to build my own security as soon as possible. Too many years of last-minute trips, being yanked out of school. Of coming home to empty cupboards and hastily scrawled notes left on the counter.
Some parents never leave. Charles and May, settled in their big house, with their family.
Some are forced to. Jake’s mom. Oscar’s parents.
And some probably shouldn’t have been parents in the first place.
Guess I wasn’t enough.
Blowing out a breath, I discard the shirt, tossing it aside and shrugging on a softer tee in its place. It’s not like I need to impress Kenny. She doesn’t care. I know that.
But I wanted her to meet my parents.
My throat still feels tight when I rap on the door to the trailer an hour later. It swings open, confronting me with the sight of a still half-sleeping Rick. He scrubs his stomach. “Hey, kid. Looking for Kenny?”
“I’m here.” She shifts past him, her face twisting with disgust. And maybe embarrassment. “Shit, Rick. If you forgot where it is, the shower’s right next to your bedroom.”
“Language, kid.” Rick yawns. He disappears without a goodbye, and Kenny slams the door shut before she turns to me.
Her eyes don’t hide her annoyance at her dad. “Sorry. Am I late? You didn’t need to come and get me.”
