Chapter Two
Jonah
My roommates have done the one thing I never thought was possible. I now hate AC/DC.
“Highway to Hell” blares from our apartment—a four-plex that’s seen better days. The cars clogging the parking spaces point to another long night. This is the third party this week. I get it. The weather is warmer and people are more social. I just wish they’d go somewhere else. As I walk through the door, Brody is in the small living room doing pushups. He’s surrounded by girls cheering him on. I keep my head down as I pass through. Maybe no one will notice me.
“Hey…Jonah.”
The music is loud so, of course, I can’t hear him. That’s my story, and I’m sticking to it. I make it as far as the door to my room, reaching for the handle, when Brody grabs my shoulder. This time, he yells. “Jonah!”
Normally, nothing rattles me. But right now, I am so done. “What?”
His smile falters. “We have beer…and pizza.”
“Awesome.” And then, because I can’t freaking help it, I add, “Thanks. I’m good.”
Brody shakes his head. “Dude, you act like you’re thirty or something.”
“He’s from Nebraska,” Zee says from behind him. “Their parties consist of a beer or two around the bonfire?—”
“Can you guys just keep it down?” I don’t have the energy to deal with this today. I open the door to my room, but Brody steps in front of me, giving Zee a look.
“Hang out with us, Jonah. Please?” He gives me his pouty face that used to work.
“Sorry,” I say, rubbing my forehead. “I have a headache.”
Zee snickers, and Brody shoots him a look before turning his attention back on me. “We, um, need your help, dude. The sink is clogged again.”
It’s not like I thought they actually wanted to hang out. Not with me being so boring and all. What would they say if they knew the things I actually liked? I glare at Brody. “Call the sup—that’s their job.”
“Dude, they take forever.”
I let out a frustrated sound. “How is it neither of you knows how to unclog a sink?”
He folds his arms across his chest. “How is it that you do know how?”
“It’s the Nebraska farm boy in him,” Zee says with a grin.
“Both of you can fuck off.”
But I follow them into the kitchen. It’s the only way I can get time to myself. And it takes less time to fix the damn thing than it does to argue about it. “Stop pouring grease down the sink, Zee.”
He grins. “Wasn’t me.”
Once I get to my room, I slam my door shut and lock it. I’m so tired of having roommates, but I can’t afford my own place. MuleCreek is a small town, but its proximity to Kansas City drives prices up.
Living with Brody and Zee was fun at first, but I’m not good at telling people no. And people tend to take advantage of that. You’d think knowing that would make it easier. It doesn’t.
At least I’m not in Nebraska, still living at home like my stepbrother Vivian. Although, if my dad has his way, I’ll be back home someday soon, taking over the farm.
That’s not happening, but I can’t bring myself to tell him that. I hate not being honest with him. It reminds me of my mom. She pretended for years that everything was perfect. Until the day she left to focus on her dreams. I was a freshman in high school.
Dad and I got by okay, and then he met Carolynda online. They clicked immediately and got married when I was a junior in high school. A year later, her son Vivian came to live with us. It’s been six years, and Vivian still has that look on his face. As if living in Nebraska is one big punishment he has to endure.
My stepbrother is an arrogant, entitled ass, and if I hear one more person tell me he’s the most beautiful person they’ve ever met, I’m going to throw up on his Christian Louboutin shoes.
I slump into my chair and grab my PlayStation controller. It’s been a while since I’ve played. But my focus is shit, and after one round ofFortnite, I give up.
