“I didn’t. I just told them a different time than you… which is why you’re early, and they are the only ones here.”
Jess isn’t happy about that answer, but she turns back to me. “What are you doing here!”
She’s wearing earplugs… but ignore that. “Abducted by aliens, long story.”
“How long have you—” She looks out the window at the smoldering wreckage. “Oh my god.”
She’s pale when she turns back. “Oh my god.”
“Yep. My smoldering chariot.”
“Why the hell didn’t you tell me you were here?”
I don’t tell her it’s because she has a tendency to try to bulldoze my opinions, or that I know she won’t understand what I want.
“The kidnappers drugged me, and I wanted all of my wits about me when I finally faced you.”
She pulls back, holding me at arms length, eyes narrowed. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It means,” Laurel said as she joins us, Richter helping her. “That you can be overbearing in your protectiveness. Do you want a repeat of when she was twelve?”
Jess’ mouth shifts to a pinched frown, and I know she’s remembering the time our parents left for three days and put her in charge.
She’d beensooverbearing, I decided I’d had enough and ran away. I’d gotten on a bus and was two states away at my friend Haylee’s house before they finally figured out I wasn’t just pouting in my room.
She shakes her head. “She’s right. You’re not twelve anymore. Here’s what’s going to happen, you and I are going to have a long talk, but first, you’re moving in with me and Trench.”
“No.”
She flinches, blinking at me like she can’t quite believe I’d deny her her wonderful solution.
“I’m not going back to your place, and there’s really nothing for us to talk about.” I don’t remind her how old Iam, because she definitely knows. “You’re my sister, not my mother.”
“And thank god for that.” Jess throws her hands up. “Can you even imagine what would happen ifshewas here?”
“None of us would enjoy it, which is why I didn’t go out of my way to have that particular conversation.”
Jess’ brows pinch. “That’s cruel, Chrys.”
“I’d like to point out that, of the three of us, I’m the only one who didn’t come here without telling her bychoice.”
Laurel laughs, turning her head away as if it will help. “She has a point.”
“Don’t take her side!”
“Why does it matter whose side I take, Mom’s going to blame me for this anyway.”
“It’s true.” I glance at where Arc and Trench are watching us. “My guess is, they’ll blame you for coming in the first place and putting the idea in my and Jess’ heads.”
Laurel’s sigh is tired. “And she wonders why it was so easy for me to leave the planet.”
“Look, I’ll figure out calling Mom when we get home after this. I just… I really don’t want to deal with her.”
“When you gethome?” She looks at Arc over my shoulder, and I can bet I know the question that’s coming next.
“We’re not bonded.”
“Of course not.” Jess rolls her eyes and I…
