“No, who Cole? My trailer park neighbors? My college friends, who’ve just graduated with a ton of loans? My dad, who walked out when I was ten?” I hunched my shoulders and pushed the plate away. “I’m done.”
He put the plate in the sink, and returned and put his hand on mine on the table. “You could’ve said something.”
I scoffed. I couldn’t help it. I’d never fit in and he knew it.
He sat back, looking disappointed. The sight tugged on my heartstrings. Did he really think I’d run to him? He’d looked after me a few times when we were kids, but I hadn’t even spoken to him since I returned, forced to return home after only two years of college.
“We’ll talk in the morning,” he said. “After you’ve had a little sleep, you’ll be thinking clearer.”
“What makes you think I’m not thinking clearly now?”
“You tried to climb out of my bathroom window buck naked.”
I scowled at the mental image. “I was going to take a towel.”
He shook his head, but there was a little smile around the corner of his mouth. “You’re not a mean drunk. You’re a hilarious one. But I think it’s best you sleep this off.”
“I can walk home.”
“You’re not going anywhere.”
“But my mom?—”
“I called your house. Your mom’s sleeping. Becky is there, and has instructions to tell your mom you’re with a friend, if she asks.”
“You called my mother? You can’t do that.”
“Do what?”
“Take over my life!”
“Someone has to.”
“What the hell does that mean?” Somehow Cole knowing my life was a mess was too much to bear.
He hesitated. “We’ll talk in the morning.”
“No, Cole, now.”
“Mr. Roberts called me. He’s worried about you.”
“Because I missed a few days of work before he fired me?”
“That, and the fact that you stole over three grand from him in the past four months.”
I felt hot. Then cold. Then numb. “How did you know?”
“He told me.”
Denial was on my tongue, it tasted like dust. I swallowed it. My shoulders slumped in defeat.
“How did he find out?” My voice sounded tiny, like it was coming from very far away.
“You’re not going to deny it?”
“No.”
“Good girl,” he murmured. The words made me feel better than I had all night. Weird.
