Page 9 of You Saw the Best In Me

Once my little sister is gone, I take her seat right next to Grams.

“What happened this time?” I ask, knowing that she can hear me.

“I’m fine, Mavvy. Don’t worry about my old soul,” she whispers, and I have to control the rage that builds inside me.

“Do you enjoy scaring Harper? She knows exactly when to call the ambulance because you can’t keep your shit together,” I grit my teeth, keeping my voice as low as possible.

“Harper is just fine. She’s a good girl,” she slurs as the medication takes her under.

I rub my temples, so frustrated with this woman that I can’t be around her any longer.

I checked in with her doctor, and they’ll be keeping her overnight.

“I got your favorite spicy Doritos,” Harper says, bringing me out of the rage inside my head.

“Thanks, Harp. Grab your things. You’re staying at my house tonight,” I tell her, and her eyes widen.

“Is Grams going to be okay? Her voice is trembling, and I pull her in for a hug.

“She’s going to be fine. They want to keep her overnight again, so I’ll bring you to school tomorrow,” I tell her, and she nods in agreement.

“I need some stuff from the house and a steak dinner,” she slaps me on the arm, laughing, and I tell her to say goodbye to Grams before we go.

I leave my number with the nurse at the desk, letting them know to call me if anything changes, and once Harper is ready, we hop in my truck toward Grams’ house.

I tell Harper to make it quick and order take-out from a local place that will cook Harper’s steak a disgusting well, well done.

“Alright, I’m ready. Can we watch what I want tonight?” she asks, and I roll my eyes.

I’ll sacrifice my sports channels for whatever teeny-bopper show she’s obsessed with this week.

I pick up our dinner, and Karina’s car is back in her spot when we pull in.

I pray to everything that could help that she doesn’t have another prank in store for me tonight.

The last thing I need is for Harper’s nosey self to know who Karina is, personally. I’d never hear the end of it.

Luckily, we get inside with no problems, and I breathe a sigh of relief.

I get the sofa bed set up for Harper while she’s in the shower when I hear a knock at the door.

“What do you want?” I ask, narrowing my eyes at Karina through a crack in my door.

“I just wanted to say hi. Want a drink?” she smiles, holding up the same bottle of tequila.

“Who is it, Mav?” Harper yells from the bathroom.

Karina’s face turns a shade of pink I’ve never seen before, backing away as quickly as possible.

“Sorry, I didn’t realize you had company,” she stammers.

I should let her go, allowing her to think whatever she has in her mind, but my mouth reacts before my brain can.

“That’s my little sister, Harper. Uh, she needs to stay here tonight,” I rush the words out, hoping she’ll listen.

She stops dead in her tracks halfway between our apartments and turns around to face me.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt. Rain check?” she smiles, and if I could bottle the radiance bouncing off her face, I would.