Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 86168 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 431(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86168 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 431(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
“More sleep.” She groans and rolls over. “Please, ten more minutes.”
“Nope, Gemmy.” I flip her light on. “Yanking the blankets off next.”
She sighs and peers out at me. Then she sits up straight. “Holy shit. Kira, what happened?”
I touch my nose like it’s no big deal. “Just slipped on a wet floor at work. It’s really not a big deal.” She doesn’t need to hear about the assholes, the police, and definitely not Stellan. Whoever that beautiful weirdo was. “Come out and eat. You have to catch the train in a half hour.”
Gem’s a good kid. Maybe too good, if I’m honest with myself. When I was her age, I was out partying, drinking, screwing around, and getting in trouble. Which is probably why Gem goes to one of the best high schools in the entire country while I barely graduated with a C average.
Still, I worry about her. There’s a lot of pressure for her to succeed. I try my best not to make it worse, but she knows what I do to keep us going. Ever since Mom ran off three years ago, I’ve been in charge of all our finances. Which isn’t easy for a girl with no college degree and no real skills to speak of.
Hence the freaking diner at night and the dog washer during the day.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” Gem hovers around me as I shove store-brand frozen waffles at her. “I think your nose might be broken.”
“It’s really not, you’re so dramatic.” I steer her to the table. “Sit down and eat. Get any applications done last night?”
“Finished Princeton.” She slumps as she checks her phone and shoves food into her mouth. “Not sure why, though. I’m not going to get in.”
“You’re crazy. You’ll get in everywhere. Just keep applying.”
“Dunno. It’s expensive, right? I know how tight money’s been—”
“Money’s fine.” I don’t add that money’s the reason the heat isn’t on. My worry, not hers. “You focus on school.”
“You’re always saying that.” She wags her fork at me. “At least let me get a part-time job.”
“You have soccer, volleyball, chess club, newspaper, and debate. When do you have time to work?”
“You forgot about band.” She sighs, frowning at me. “But I’m a senior now. My applications won’t change if I drop some of that so I can help you.”
“No.” I sit across from her and sip some decaf coffee. When she’s gone, I’ll snatch two hours of sleep, slam cheap espresso, and head off to the grooming place until five. “This is your last year of high school. After that, you’re free from all this stuff.”
“Seriously, Kira—”
“You’ll have to work soon enough. Just let me handle it, okay?” I put on my bravest smile. My bravest Gemmy smile. The smile I reserve strictly for her because I can’t seem to drag it out anywhere else. “We got this, I promise.”
As always, she’s not convinced, but I think she knows I need her to keep going almost a little too badly. Otherwise, what was all this for?
“Love you!” She hugs me on the way out, backpack flung over her shoulder, another waffle between her teeth.
“Say hello to Vonnie for me, okay? And text when you get to campus!”
“Will do. Later!”
I watch her disappear down the hall. A few doors over, Mrs. Walker pokes her head out. “You’re being too loud,” the old woman says, scowling.
“Morning to you too, Mrs. Walker.” I show her my teeth and mutter, your cats are going to eat your corpse one day under my breath as I retreat back into the apartment.
Quiet hits me hard. I look at the clock and bury the urge to curl up in a ball.
Two-hour power nap and back at it.
I can do this. I can do this. I really, really can do this.
“Is that dog hair?” Pam’s nose wrinkles as she picks at my shirt.
“I know, I’m so sorry. I didn’t have time for laundry and had to come straight here from the groomer’s after checking on Gem and making dinner.” I toss my bag down on the bench and strap on my comfy work shoes. “How’s everyone holding up?”
“We’re all fine. It’s you I’m worried about. I really thought you’d take more time off after a few nights ago.”
“I need the shift.” I shrug, getting up and stretching. “Besides, my nose is all healed. I bounce back easily.”
Pam doesn’t look convinced, but at least she hands me a double-sized coffee, lots of cream, an obscene amount of sugar, just how I like it. “Rocket fuel. We got this.”
“We always do.” I chug half of it down and burn my tongue. “Let’s go get paid.”
But before I can march out there, Pam touches my arm. She hesitates, glancing toward the booth in the front of the house near the window. I follow her gaze and go very still.