“You got hit, girl. You got blood on your clothes too.”
“I’ll change. Someone’s got to clean up the glass. Just don’t make me go home.” The idea of losing out on tonight’s money is like an electric bolt straight to my chest. A dozen different bills float through my head, plus all the college application expenses Gem’s been putting on the credit card.
Harry and Pam exchange a look. The big man just shrugs. “Let her stay if she wants.”
Pam sighs, exasperated. “Fine. Okay. Just, take a few minutes and clean yourself up. And leave if you want! God, I swear, this fucking place…”
I give her a quick hug and disappear into the back. I duck into the bathroom, flipping on the light, locking the door behind me.
I look tired. My hair’s a mess. My face is smeared with blood. I wash it off the best I can and try to make myself presentable. I have extra clothes in a little locker I can put on.
But, shit. I prod at the bags under my eyes. I poke at my swollen nose. Twenty-three going on fifty. This is what happens when I work six days a week and pick up the graveyard shift another three.
All these sleepless nights are going to be worth it one day. Even getting hit in the face is going to pay off.
When my genius little sister’s in college living the life she deserves.
I’ll look back on this and smile.
Right now, though, I have a mess to clean up and more eggs to sling.
KIRA
“Breakfast is ready!” I poke my head into Gem’s room. She’s barely more than a lump under her heavy pink comforter. It’s unseasonably freezing in November. We’re two weeks away from Thanksgiving, and I have no idea how I’ll get any turkey this year. But one problem at a time.
“More sleep.” She groans and rolls over. “Please, ten more minutes.”
“Nope, Gemmy.” I flip her light on. “Yanking the blankets off next.”
She sighs and peers out at me. Then she sits up straight. “Holy shit. Kira, what happened?”
I touch my nose like it’s no big deal. “Just slipped on a wet floor at work. It’s really not a big deal.” She doesn’t need to hear about the assholes, the police, and definitely not Stellan. Whoever that beautiful weirdo was. “Come out and eat. You have to catch the train in a half hour.”
Gem’s a good kid. Maybe too good, if I’m honest with myself. When I was her age, I was out partying, drinking, screwingaround, and getting in trouble. Which is probably why Gem goes to one of the best high schools in the entire country while I barely graduated with a C average.
Still, I worry about her. There’s a lot of pressure for her to succeed. I try my best not to make it worse, but she knows what I do to keep us going. Ever since Mom ran off three years ago, I’ve been in charge of all our finances. Which isn’t easy for a girl with no college degree and no real skills to speak of.
Hence the freaking diner at night and the dog washer during the day.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” Gem hovers around me as I shove store-brand frozen waffles at her. “I think your nose might be broken.”
“It’s really not, you’re so dramatic.” I steer her to the table. “Sit down and eat. Get any applications done last night?”
“Finished Princeton.” She slumps as she checks her phone and shoves food into her mouth. “Not sure why, though. I’m not going to get in.”
“You’re crazy. You’ll get in everywhere. Just keep applying.”
“Dunno. It’s expensive, right? I know how tight money’s been?—”
“Money’s fine.” I don’t add that money’s the reason the heat isn’t on. My worry, not hers. “You focus on school.”
“You’re always saying that.” She wags her fork at me. “At least let me get a part-time job.”
“You have soccer, volleyball, chess club, newspaper, and debate. When do you have time to work?”
“You forgot about band.” She sighs, frowning at me. “But I’m a senior now. My applications won’t change if I drop some of that so I can help you.”
“No.” I sit across from her and sip some decaf coffee. When she’s gone, I’ll snatch two hours of sleep, slam cheap espresso, and head off to the grooming place until five. “This is your last year of high school. After that, you’re free from all this stuff.”
