“What? You’re kidding me!”
“I wish. But that’s what happened. I think the thing with me was just some outburst at Cane and it’s over now. I hope, anyway.”
We turned the corner to our house, dodging a little boy on askateboard.
“Me too. I just renewed the contract on the security system at the house. So if that gives you some peace, there’s that.” Kari smiled brightly at me.
“There’s that. It does make me feel safer, actually.” I chewed my lip. “I need to find my own apartment. It’s time.”
We walked up the steps to the front door, Kari looking at me out of the corner of her eye. “Yeah. I wonder how Cane is going to feel about that …”
I shrugged. “I don’t know. But it isn’t his choice.”
“Do you think he’ll want you to move in with him?”
My eyes widened. “I, uh, I don’t know. But I won’t. It’s way too early, sis.”
Kari nodded subtly as she took the key from her pocket.
“So now that we have burned a million calories …”
“Try like two hundred.”
“We only burned two hundred freaking calories? Why bother?” I moaned as Kari unlocked the door and we walked in. “That’s almost a waste of time.”
Kari laughed. “That’s why everything you eat matters.”
“Screw it. I’m ordering pizza. Do you want some?”
“Pepperoni and mushroom,” she called over her shoulder as she walked toward the kitchen.
“And extra cheese,” I muttered as I grabbed my cell. I headed up stairs to erase the grime from the walk that would never matter.
Me: Ordering pizza. Want some?
Cane: I’ll have some of you first.
Me: Deal.
Cane: 90 minutes.
Me: <3
Cane: I don’t do emojis.
Me: <3
Cane: Insert emoji here.
Me: You suck.
Cane: Heart.
I laughed, tossing the phone on the sink.
“Jada!” Kari shouted. There was something about the tone and volume that caused a ripple in my chest.
“Yeah?” I jogged to the top of the stairs. “What’s wrong?”
