She gives me a pointed look. “And you’re still gonna tell me you’re not dating?”
“For the hundredth time, Aliyah and I are just friends.”
“Uh-huh,” she says dryly. She nods toward the coffee pot as it begins to drip. “Can I have some?”
“No. You’re not old enough.”
She rolls her eyes. “But I’m old enough to stay home alone while you go out with Aliyah?”
“You weren’t alone. Mom was here.”
Maddie snorts. “Right.”
I glance toward her bedroom where she’s still asleep, congested snores rattling through her parted lips.
The coffee finishes brewing, and I pour myself a steaming mug. I lean against the counter as I sip it slowly, letting the warmth soothe my scratchy throat.
“I’m starting high school this fall,” Maddie mutters. “I’m not a little kid anymore.”
My chest pinches. She’s right, and I hate it. It’s all happening too fast. Just last year, she pulled me aside in the most awkward moment of my life to tell me she needed bras. I had no clue what to do, so I gave Aliyah my credit card and sent them to the mall together.
“Speaking of not being a little kid,” Maddie starts, chewing the last bite of her Pop-Tart slowly, like she’s testing the waters. “Can I go to a concert with my friends? Harmony Heartz is coming to Shelby Harbor.”
“The boyband?”
Her face lights up. “Yes! You know how much I love them, and Leah’s parents said they’ll drive us. I just need a ticket.”
I chew the inside of my cheek. Maddie might be a pain sometimes, but she’s a good kid. Smart and generally well-behaved—especially considering all the crap she’s been through. She deserves this.
“If we can’t afford it—” she starts, picking at her nails.
“How much is the ticket?”
She gives me a nervous smile. “Eighty bucks.”
I inhale sharply. It’s definitely more than I thought, but I can’t say no. I won’t.
“Okay.”
“Okay?!” she says, eyes wide.
“But,” I say before she can start celebrating, “if you want to prove you’re grown up, you’ve got to help more around the house. Do your own laundry. Dishes after school. Non-negotiable.”
“Yes! I’ll do anything!” she squeals, launching out of her chair and slamming into me with a hug.
I freeze for a second before wrapping my arms around her. When’s the last time she hugged me like this?
“I’m calling Leah! She’s gonna freak out!” she exclaims before vanishing into her room.
I gulp down the rest of my coffee and stare into the empty mug. I have no idea how I’m going to come up with the money, but I’ll figure it out.
I’d do anything for her.
***
The yellow flag next to the lifeguard tower snaps in the wind. A storm’s brewing. I can feel it in the air and see it in the dark clouds rolling overhead. The waves slam against the pier, tall and angry. I’ve got my hair tied back in a bun, but the wind keeps trying to pull strands loose.
Despite the advisory, a few stubborn idiots are still out on paddle boards, chasing the swells. I keep a sharp eye on them as they inevitably fall into the waves, making sure they resurface.
