Chapter Three
Xander
"What doyou mean she's not staying here anymore, Linc?" I growl.
"This morning we talked with your dad and Mr. and Mrs. Martinez. Tera decided it's best for her to stay with the Martinez'," Linc informs me.
What the fuck?After we just had that kiss? After I told her… after I told her I was no good for her.Damn it.
"Yeah," I croak out. I clear my throat. "That's probably the best decision."
Linc bites his lip. "You know it is, man. There's plenty of time to figure out whatever's between you two."
"Yeah, I guess." I don't really believe that because I know, I justknowsomeone's going to grab her up for their own. She's beautiful, even at twelve.
"She'll still be around. She'll come here for supper and breakfast and shit. Plus, she'll be living, what? Three? Four hundred feet away in the guest house?" Linc mentions.
"True. She won't be too far away." Not physically, but emotionally we'll be an ocean apart. I finish my water and toss the bottle. "This is better for her. She's safe there."
Linc nods. "We'll be picking up our shit after school tomorrow. My mom and that Eddie dude are in jail. My bitch of a mom threw that dick under the bus so she wouldn't get charged with as much. Too bad Eddie mentioned the bitch was dealing H." Linc smirks and I join him.
"So they're both screwed."
"And then some. He also told the cops about howsheencouraged him to touch Tera and how she laughed when he did. So, she's so screwed."
"Good. That's good." That makes me feel better. Tera really is safe now.
"I'm sorry to drag you into this shit, man."
"Who're you talking to, brother?" I say and Linc nods. "We're family."
"Thanks."
"Knock it off," I tease and give his shoulder a shove. "Next thing you're gonna start talking about tampons and makeup and shit."
He looks around. "Fuck off, Xan." He laughs.
My dad's okay with some of the swearing, but sayingfuckis pushing it. We make sure no one's around when we say it so we don't ruffle anyone's feathers. A peaceful house is a happy house.
"Where's she now?" I ask.
"At Shea's," Linc answers, eyeing me.
"Think she's into the brother?" I ask.
"I don't know. Would you have a problem with that?"
I might be a little tweaked about it, but that doesn't play into things at all.
"Nah." That's a lie. "Whatever makes her happy." That's the truth.
"Cool. Let's go get some practice in. The guys are waiting."
For the next three hours I bang the hell out of my drums.
* * *
Three years later (Age 15)…
