“A billion? Are you serious?”
“Maybe not a billion but hundreds of millions. Kristen’s an only child so she’ll inherit it when her mom dies.”
“What about her dad?”
“Killed in a helicopter crash when she was really young. She probably doesn’t even remember him.”
“So it’s just her and her mom?”
“And her stepdad.”
“If they’re that rich, why are they living here? They could live anywhere.”
Shayla’s phone rings and she answers. “Hey, Mom, what’s up?” She listens, then gets up. “Yeah, I’ll be there in a minute.” She ends the call. “I have to go.”
“Now? Why?”
“Emergency at the Dreisen house. I have to get over there.” She wraps her remaining taco in a napkin.
“What kind of emergency?”
“Their kid had a party last night and destroyed the place. There’s no way my mom can clean it all by herself before the parents get home.”
“Was this a high school party?”
“Yeah. The kid’s a freshman at Twisted Pine.” She picks up her soda. “I’m really sorry. Can we do the beach some other day?”
“Yeah. How about tomorrow?”
“I can’t. I work all day. Maybe next weekend.”
“Axl will be here.”
“Okay, well, we’ll figure something out.” She hurries off.
This sucks. Now I’m alone for the day. And bored.
As I’m finishing lunch, I realize I don’t have a ride. Shayla was in such a hurry to leave that she forgot to take me home.
I call up Brock but get his voicemail. I call up Trystan. He doesn’t pick up. Reluctantly, I call Braden, my only option since Jackson is at football practice.
“What do you want?” Braden answers.
“I need a ride home.”
“Why? Where are you?”
“At that taco place in the green metal building.” I look around for the name of the place, but don’t see a sign. “You know what I’m talking about?”
“Yeah. How’d you get there?”
“Shayla and I were having lunch, but she had to leave. Can you get me or not?”
He sighs. “Yeah. Whatever. Be there in a few.”
As I end the call, a text from Shayla pops up.
I’m so sorry! I forgot to take you home! I’m coming back!
