Whoa, what? “You want me to live here? With Mira?”
Hell no.
“Yes, jackass. Someone needs to look out for her. Gen and Lewis are finally getting some much-needed space from Mira. If we don’t set something up so Lewis is convinced Mira is safe, he’ll move her in with him and Gen.”
“And I should care about this why?”
Cali throws up her hands, her face turning a bright shade of pink to match her strawberry blonde hair. Cali missed out on our mom’s bright red crop, but only just. “Because you’ve been living here rent free for weeks, hogging the remote and behaving like an overall ass.”
“You can stop busting my balls any time now, Calzone. This isn’t my problem. It’s yours. You fix it.”
“Oh, my fucking…” Cali lets out a frustrated screech.
She hates it when I call her Calzone, but I have a feeling she’s more angry I’ve put a wrench in her plans to save Mira.
Jaeger enters the living room. “Dude, help your sister out.”
I glare at Jaeg. “What happened to bros coming first?”
He shakes his head as if I’ve missed something crucial. “Not with Cali, man. She comes first.”
Fuck. I can’t argue that logic. Cali is a pain in the ass, but she is my sister.
Still, this is Mira we’re talking about. No way can I do what Cali asks. I spent a couple of hours in Mira’s presence tonight and already I’m feeling things I don’t want to.
“Why doesn’t she move in with Lewis’s parents?” I suggest.
Cali shrugs. “Mira won’t move home. I’m not sure why.”
And here we go again. Mira causing trouble. I escaped this; I won’t step back into the fire.
“Sorry, Cali. No can do.”
“Why not? What did Mira ever do to you?”
“She’s done enough.”
Chapter Seven
Mira
Lewis opens the passenger door of the Jeep for me. Gen tries to take the backseat and I wave her off, gingerly easing in back. The doctor said I don’t have a concussion. Bruises, including a couple of bruised ribs, and a cut on my head the nurse cleaned and sewed with three stitches, but nothing that won’t soon heal.
The police took a statement. I gave them the best description I could of the men who attacked me, and left out the part about owing a loan shark. It might not help my case, but I’m already in trouble and I don’t need more. If I can’t shovel myself out of this mess, I’ll tell them. For now, I don’t want to draw more attention.
As long as I stay out of dark, deserted places, I can earn back the money and be done with this. I’ll have to stop giving my mom cash, no matter what she says. And no more visiting her in shanty homes. Too dangerous. I’ve gotta be smart from here on out.
“Mira,” Gen says with a bright smile I’m certain is genuine. Which is strange. All the pretty girls in high school were eager to elevate themselves by putting me down. “I just got a text from Cali. She offered you her place until the police find the guys who did this.”
For a moment, I don’t know how to respond. I’m not used to receiving help from anyone other than Lewis and his family. “Thanks—but she doesn’t have to do that. I’ll be fine at my place.”
“No, Mira.” Lewis shakes his head, glancing at me in the rearview mirror. “You either stay at Cali’s, or with me, but you are not returning to your place. You could always crash with my parents?—”
“No way,” I cut him off. “That might put them in danger.”
Lewis sighs. “Mira, they’re your parents too. They love you and want to protect you.”
John and Rebecca aren’t my parents. They’re kind, loving people I owe a debt of gratitude to for rescuing me when I was a kid. The last thing I will do to repay their kindness is draw thugs to their house. I’m not thrilled with the idea of drawing thugs to Cali’s house either.
