“A competition?” I ask. “I thought it was just people showing off their talent?”
He starts to say something, but then closes his mouth like he’s reluctant to say anything more. Now I’m really curious.
Carolynda, bless her heart—one of Nat’s sayings—is scrolling on her phone. “It says the grand prize is five thousand dollars.”
I sit up. “You’re kidding.”
“It’s a huge event,” Carolynda says, looking up from her phone.
“Nice,” I say, mostly to myself.
“You’re not actually going to sign up?” Vivian looks at me like I suggested he shave his head.
“Maybe.” I grin.
It doesn’t matter if I sign up. Just thinking about it is enough to irritate Vivian. Not that I’d have a chance at winning. But man, that money would go a long way to helping me get my own place.
When Maisy wakes from her nap, she’s grumpy. Dad pulls into a rest stop, and we pile out, thankful to be out of the van for a short period. Considering we still have twenty hours on the road just to get to California, this isn’t a good sign.
Carolynda brings out a basket of food and we eat lunch at the picnic tables. We still have several hours before we reach our first destination in Colorado Springs: Pikes Peak.
After eating, Maisy wants to run around. Carolynda looks beat and Vivian stands off by himself, clearly needing a moment. A moment he doesn’t really deserve after everything he put me through today, but maybe time to himself will put him in a better mood.
“Hey, Squirt! I bet I can catch you.”
She squeals and races away, but she isn’t fast enough. Easily catching up to her, I grab her and swing her in the air.
“Be careful, Jonah,” Carolynda says, but it’s automatic. There isn’t an ounce of worry in her tone.
Carolynda’s a good mom. I mean, I’ve known that of course. But it suddenly hits home, and my chest aches at the thought. Not all moms are caring and loving. Protective. Some moms ditch you the first chance they get.
What’s up with me today? I’m not wasting any more time thinking about her. As we pile into the van, Carolynda moves to the back, stating she wants to rest. Dad gives me a look. One that I understand completely.
“I can drive, Dad,” I say. And then I get a brilliant thought. “Unless Vivian wants to.”
Everyone knows Vivian doesn’t like to drive. I’m not sure he even has a license. But poking at him is fun.
He rolls his eyes. “No thanks.”
I love to drive, so it’s not a problem for me. I don’t want to drive the entire way, but I’ll gladly take my turn.
Maisy complains when Carolynda snaps her back into her carseat. I thought getting out and running around would help, but no. Now, she has to get back in the car. And while our sister can be irritating, Vivian takes it to a whole new level. He’s like a toddler not getting his way as he stands outside the van and glares at me.
This attitude is normal for Vivian, but it feels like there’s something else going on.
Vivian ignores me, rubbing the fabric of his hoodie. I’ve seen him do this before. I used to think it was his way of showing off.Look at how expensive my clothes are compared to yours.
But now I wonder if it’s a sensory thing. Is Vivian nervous? If so, he’s been hiding it well. I also don’t want to give him credit for anything. Least of all, being human enough to have feelings.
I climb into the driver’s seat and catch Dad giving Vivian a nod toward the front passenger seat. Vivian huffs like he’d rather be anywhere else. Do anything else. Whatever. It doesn’t bother me. I don’t care what he thinks. I’m so done with his drama.
Once we’re on I-76 West, I try to ignore Vivian. But he makes it impossible as he hums to himself and taps his fingers on his leg.
Which draws my attention to his fingers, and just like that, I remember my hand on his as we checked the oil. Shit.
I keep my eyes forward and reach to turn up the radio. Dad had it on a country station, and I really like this song.
And I’m not sharing my personal playlist with Vivian. He’d definitely make fun of me.
