Well, at least that's a plus. I was afraid for a minute there she was going to drag me with her—and her boyfriend. She thinks she's so slick, but I know. I hear her on the phone sometimes and I know it's not my dad because he's either at the hospital or sleeping.
"I knew it was coming," I murmur to my silent room of friends. "It was just a matter of time. She was screwing around."
"That sucks, Xan. What can we do?" Ben asks.
"You're doing it," I answer.
It's the truth. Just them being here is making it easier for me.
Tera sidles up next to me, her arm intertwining with mine, holding my hand that's resting on my thigh.
"I'm sorry, Xander," she whispers as she rests her head on my shoulder.
I suck in a breath, the pain of hearing what's going on outside my door.
"When will you see him?" my dad asks.
"He can come visit for holidays and for the summer," she tells him.
"You want him to fly across the ocean by himself?" Dad's tone is incredulous, like he can't believe she's serious. I can't blame him.
"Screw that. I'm not flying to Paris and spending my summer eating slimy snails. I won't go. She can't make me. If she leaves, she can't make me go, right?" I ask them.
"I don't think you have to. Your dad won't make you do anything you don't want to. Your dad's cool as hell," Jesse answers.
I nod. "Yeah. My dad'll have my back."
"Hell yeah, he will," Linc agrees.
"I'll come back for the rest of my things later in the week," Mom announces and I hear her high heels click as she walks down the stairs.
"You're not going to say anything to Xander before you go?" Dad inquires.
"Not tonight. He's got his friends over. Besides, I don't leave until next week."
"Don't worry about it, Lynn. I'll talk to him. Besides, I'm sure he's already heard you with the way you were carrying on," my dad bites out.
"Seriously, Matthew," she scoffs.
"What about your practice? You're just going to leave your patients high and dry?"
"I'm taking a three-month hiatus and then hopefully I'll have my credentials so I can open my practice in Paris."
"You've got it all figured out. I hope it all works out for you, Lynn. Sincerely. But I want the keys to the house and the cars. They are, after all, in my name."
Mom huffs. "Fine."
Tera snickers as we hear keys jingle. "Your dad is so cool."
"I'll have someone pack up your shit this week. Call on Monday. Your stuff will be waiting for you."
"You're being petty, Matthew. I expected better of you."
"Petty? No. That's not what I'm being at all. I'm being logical. You no longer live here. You don't get a key. The security code will be changed. Your boxes will be waiting on Monday. Have your movers come during the day when Xander's in school so he isn't subjected to that as well as this," Dad scolds.
Mom takes a breath. "Fine. I thought we could be civil—"
"Lynn, this is civil. Less than civil would be me dragging you down these stairs and throwing you out on your ass like you deserve. Instead, I'm having a calm discussion, which is now over. You can get the fuck out now," Dad tells her and I laugh.
