Page 74

“Your face has never been innocent.”

He laughs and turns back toward the television.

I look at the pizza for another second. Then back at him.

“Did you mean what you said?”

His attention comes back to me. “I say a lot of shit. You’re going to have to be more specific.”

“About staying here.”

The teasing disappears. “Yeah.”

Just like that. Yeah.

I twist the crumpled-up napkin in my lap. “For more than a few days?”

“For however long you need.”

“Bishop…”

“I’m serious.”

“I don’t want to intrude.”

“You’re not.”

“You say that now. Wait until Darcy destroys your fancy sheets.”

“First of all, don’t put that kind of negativity out into the universe.”

I laugh.

“Second, I meant it. Take your time. Find somewhere you actually want to live instead of taking the first place you can afford because you’re worried about overstaying some imaginary welcome.”

“I don’t want to be a burden. And I don’t need a babysitter or another big brother.”

“You aren’t.” His forehead creases. “And does this look like the damn Babysitter’s Club?”

That earns him a laugh. “No, I guess not.”

He reaches for his drink and takes a long pull of his beer. “Just please do me one favor?”

“Depends on the favor.”

“Please, for the love of God, stop comparing me to your dad and your brother.” He sets the empty bottle down and looks over at me; I can’t make out the look in his eyes.

“Then stop acting like my dad and brother.” I counter. “It’s bad enough to know they probably asked you to keep an eye on me. And don’t even get me started on Mom.”

He doesn’t deny it, but he doesn’t break eye contact. “Your family cares about you, Laney. That’s not the same thing as thinking you can’t take care of yourself. Besides, it’s not like they handed me joint custody.”

Another giggle escapes before I can stop it. I had forgotten how funny Bishop is when I’m not busy being mad at him or trying to avoid him.

Here goes nothing.

“Okay.”

“Okay, what?”