“You and your fucking programs. I’m not allowed to wanna fix an ache or pain without being called an addict,” she sneers and flicks the end of her lit cigarette onto the lawn of the house next door.
“Mom, it’s been a dry fall. That’s a fire hazard,” I walk over and pick it up then grind it out on the sidewalk.
“You know what, Jacob Maverick Grady? You aren’t fooling those people,” she says way too loudly and points to the Hawkins’s house. “They are doing what they’ve always done. Using you. Just like that rich bitch girlfriend you used to have. She used you to upset her high and mighty parents, and these ones are using you for body parts. They’ll turn on you first chance they get. You’re just like me, kiddo. Not good enough and no one really wants you.”
She swings open the door to the shitty, little hatchback and slams it shut. A light comes on in the house across from the Hawkins. I cringe as Kelsey squeals the tires and takes off down the street.
“What the heck is going on out there?” Mr. Pattison calls from his bedroom window across the street.
“Sorry sir. It’s taken care of,” I call back. “Sorry!”
When I get back into the house, the light is on in the kitchen. Lucy and Terra are sitting at the round oak table. Charlie is by the stove, arms crossed over his plaid pajama top. Terra jumps to her feet as I enter.
“I’m so sorry,” I say and try to not let them see the humiliation that is consuming me right now. Terra hugs me but I don’t hug her back. I give her back a little pat and step away.
“She’s a mom,” Lucy says softly and gives me that smile I used to see all the time when I was a kid. It’s kind—too kind. She doesn’t know it, but it makes me feel worse. “She was worried about you.”
“She wanted me to give her any painkillers they’d given me,” I reply flatly and Lucy’s smile drops like a lead balloon.
“Jake, I’m so sorry.”
I nod at Terra, but don’t make eye contact. I just want to go bed. “I hope you guys can fall asleep again. I’m really sorry, but don’t worry. She won’t be back.”
Charlie nods. “You got nothing to apologize for.”
Lucy stands and smiles up at me. She reaches out and rubs my arm. “Terra here was just telling us that you’re her boyfriend.”
I turn my gaze to Terra who smiles. “It felt like it was time.”
I look up at Charlie who looks away, but he’s not scowling so he’s not mad just embarrassed. Welcome to my world, Charlie. I focus back on Lucy. “Yes. Sorry we didn’t tell you sooner.”
“Good news is good news even when it’s delayed,” Lucy says her eyes crinkling with her broad smile. “I couldn’t be happier, Jake. For both of you.”
“I couldn’t be happier either,” I say and Terra takes my hand in hers.
“Let’s go back to bed,” Charlie says. “Lucy, is Deck’s bed made?”
“Always,” Lucy furrows her dirty blond eyebrows. “Never know when one of the kids might come home. I like to be ready.”
As we make our way to the stairs Charlie clamps a hand on my shoulder. “Jake’s gonna sleep up there.”
Right. He caught us. How is that not the most humiliating thing to happen to me tonight? Terra opens her mouth to argue, but I cut her off. “Sounds like a good idea. Thanks Charlie.”
I leave the Hawkins family on the landing of the second floor and climb the narrow attic stairs to Declan’s room. As I crawl into bed and close my eyes, I try not to think about what my mother said. And I try even harder not to believe it.
20
Jake
I slipinto my jacket and start to button it up. Nova whistles from behind the counter like she’s a construction worker and I’m a cute girl. Finn laughs. Terra nods. “Yep.”
“Can we not?” Declan says, annoyed. “There’s customers.”
“He does look dapper,” Mr. Hobbs pipes up from his usual spot at the counter. “Lilah always loved a man in uniform. I wore my army uniform when I proposed to her as an insurance policy.”
I smile at that. Terra and Nova laugh. He grins and goes back to his bowl of chowder. I tug on the arms of my jacket. I don’t like our formal dress uniforms, but Cap said I should wear it to the interview. They called yesterday and told me it was today. I’d already had them push it once because my original date was the day after surgery. I glance at the clock above the counter. I have forty minutes to get there, which is more than enough time.
Everyone else who has applied for the captain’s position has had their interview, including Ronan Green. He made a point of telling me how well it went when some of the crew came to visit me at Charlie and Lucy’s. At the time, I refused to think about it because I wanted to concentrate on getting better so I could have my own interview. And that day is finally here.
