“The fuck?” I mumble out loud. I accept the call and put the phone to my ear. “Uncle B?”
“Hey, kiddo. Long time no see,” he says, his deep voice carrying through the line and making me smile.
“Hi…I’m sorry. Why are you calling me?” I ask, confused.
Beckett Hayes.My dad’s lifelong best friend.
“Your dad didn’t tell you?”
I let out a sigh. Of course, he didn’t tell me. That would mean he’d have to remember that I even existed in the first place.
“Can we pretend for a second as he did, but I forgot,” I whisper, feeling my cheeks tinge pink. The pressure behind my eyes builds even more, and I’m not sure how long I have before I start ugly crying.
When I was younger, Beckett was the only person in my life who saw me besides my brother. Not in a weird way or anything, but he took care of me, picking me up from school because my dad didn’t show, going to events like Career Day, and he even took me to the only school dance I’ve ever been to.
“Yeah, sure.”
“Thanks,” I whisper, and suddenly I feel like I’m thirteen years old again, walking home from school because I have no one else to call.
“He called and said that you were looking for a place to stay over the summer, and asked if I could let you stay with me.”
“You don’t have to do that. I just… I’ll be fine. I can take care of myself. I appreciate the offer, but I’ll make it work.”
The first tear breaks loose, sliding down my cheek. I don’t even bother brushing it away, because of course, he wouldn’t call. Of course, Briar couldn’t manage to let me into his and Chanel’s perfect life for even a day or two. Now he’s brought Beckett into all of this, and I feel like a fucking loser.
“Look, kid, I get it. The situation is out of your hands. I’m not doing this as a favor to your dad. My house is big and empty; you’ll pretty much have the whole place to yourself. You don’t have to stay the whole summer if you don’t want, but you can come stay for a few days til you figure it out.”
I take in a shaky breath. “I hate that you are always the one to save me,” I whisper.
“I know, kiddo.”
“Just for a few days, and then I swear you never have to see me again after that. I’ll figure it out,” I say, after a few moments of heavy silence.
“Whatever you need.”
“Thanks, Uncle B.”
“See you in a few days.”
I nod, even though he can’t see me, and I hang up.
It’s fine.I’ll figure this out. I haven’t seen Beckett since I graduated. Plus, staying with him is a hundred times better than staying with Monica or Briar. While I’m disappointed, I’m not entirely surprised that I didn’t hear from my dad; I’m just glad Beckett called. I can’t let myself dwell on the excitement because I’m too emotionally and physically drained to even function properly.
I wipe away my tears and take a deep breath.
I can do this.
It sucks, but at least I have a few extra days to figure it out before I’m forced to decide what to do. Even if the worst comes to worse, being up in the mountains for a few days might be a nice little getaway. I can come back here, put myself in a hotel, and continue to pretend like my family doesn’t exist, because clearly I don’t exist to them.
I pull out of the parking garage and head towards a gas station for fuel and snacks.Stopping at a random pump, I turn off my car, get out, and start filling it up.
I leave my car fueling and run inside, grabbing a few energy drinks and some fruit for the road.
I’m not even to the county line when I get a second call that I’m not expecting.
“What? Did Dad call and tell you too?” I mumble.
“No…Ok,yes, but you can’t be too pissed at him.”
