Obviously, she meant my phone number. I hadn't changed it. But Ihadyanked the battery from my real phone and left it in a dented locker at the bus stop. And then, I'd purchased a burner with cash, which might've been fine, except the burner lost coverage every time it rained.
I replied, "Ididtell you. I misplaced my phone, remember?"
She gave a brittle laugh. "Now you sound like your sister. I swear, she'd lose her head if it wasn't screwed on."
I didn't want to talk about Delaney, not with my mom, who would have nothing nice to say. Ignoring the jab, I quickly said, "But don't worry. I'm sure I'll find it eventually."
"Oh, likeyoucare if I worry."
"But I do," I insisted. It was no lie. These days, I was the only daughter she could call.
It had been months since Delaney had ghosted all of us. And while she and my mom weren't exactly close, Momhadto be at least a little concerned.
Sure, she had never said so. But it would be only natural…right?
On the phone, she gave another sigh. "Well, if you care so much, why aren't you asking what I found on your door?"
I swallowed the urge to snap. "I was planning to. It's just that we got sidetracked, that's all."
"Oh, so it's my fault?"
I knew a trap when I heard it, so I ignored the question as best I could.I swear, sometimes, I envied my sister.Growing up, I had always been Mom's favorite. And Delaney had always been jealous.
I couldn't exactly blame her. And yet, Delaney's way of dealing with it still bothered me, even now.
The stupid nicknames.
The snide remarks.
And the constant eye-rolling whenever I achieved anything that made Mom proud.
Now, with Delaney out of the picture, I was getting a double dose of Mom's moodiness –anda double reminder that I should've been nicer to Delaney, if only to make up for Mom.
Iwasthe big sister, after all. I should've done a better job of shielding her. Or – here was a wild idea – I could've drawn some of that negative attentionmyway by causing trouble, too, at least once in a while.
But then again, Delaney had always been the rebel.
Me? I'd been "the good girl" – for all it mattered in the end. Mom was still moody. Dad was still uninvolved. And my sister was still MIA.
Meanwhile, hereIwas, lying to everyone while crashing at the house of a friend who wasn't even my own.
Somefamily.
Reluctantly, I asked, "So, what was on the door?"
After a dramatic pause, she announced, "An eviction notice, that's what."
I stifled a gasp. Wait, what?
16
Aristotle, He Wasn't
Ryder
The penthouse level lounge was all glass, steel, and ambient lighting, designed to look exclusive but crawling with guys who still thought crypto was the latest thing.
I strolled in like I owned the place.
