“Emma—”
“Love you. Bye.” I hit the button to disconnect our call. Setting the phone on the bed next to me, I rub my face with both hands. If my sister is selling drugs, then she’d have them with her, I assume. Which means, she’s got them in her suitcase or her purse.
Which also means she’s got them in my apartment. And if that’s the case, Carley will go ballistic, which means I can’t tell Carley about my suspicions. No, what I need to do is get them both out of here for a while so I can search her stuff. The question is, if there are drugs, what kind of drugs? I mean, I just assumed that’s what she was selling. Maybe I should have talked to Dad. He would have been straight with me. Mom just can’t see the bad in Amber, in anyone, really.
Deciding I need more information, I step out into the living room in search of my purse. Spotting it on the counter, I reach for it as Amber asks, “So, what’s for dinner?”
She cannot be serious.
“Cereal.” I grab hold of the handle on my bag.
I turn and make a beeline for my bedroom just as Amber whines, “But you’re out of milk.”
“Go get some. There’s a convenience store about a block from here.”
“Fine.” She gripes. “I need money.”
For crying out loud.
“What?” She stares at me. “I spent all my cash to get up here.”
“And that’s my problem, because?”
“Just give me a couple bucks. Jesus. You’re such a bitch.”
I can’t take this. I really can’t. Reaching into my purse, I take out my wallet. Opening, I see only a ten-dollar bill, which means I won’t see any change. “Here.” I hold it out to her. “I need my change back.”
“Sure thing, sis.” She smirks. “Back in a jiffy.”
How do I know she’s lying?
Because that’s what Amber does. She lies.
As soon as she’s out the door, I pause. I could call my father first, or I can go through her luggage while she’s gone. Opting for the luggage, I set my purse back down and make my way over to her stuff.
“Damn it.” Nothing. There’s nothing in her bags.
“What are you doing?” Carley asks from somewhere behind me.
“Searching her luggage.”
“For what?”
“Just trying to figure out what she’sreallydoing here.” But, honestly, I’m not sure.
“What aren’t you telling me, Em?” Carley has her hands on her hips. She knows something’s up.
“I don’t know for sure.” I push myself up onto my feet. “Mom said she got in trouble for selling something back home. I just assumed it was drugs, but I need to call my dad to find out because there’s nothing in her suitcase other than clothes and makeup.”
“Jesus,” Carley mutters.
Picking up my purse, I head into my bedroom. Reaching inside, I fish around for my phone. When I don’t find it, I dump out the contents. “Crap.” Out in the living area, I ask Carley if she’s seen it.
“Nope. Maybe you left it at Eli’s?”
“Or in his car.”
“I’d tell you to call him but—”
