Page 131 of Buckin' Around

My sister’s blue eyes meet mine.

“Spencer, a trial of this sort, let alone the proceedings before it, would be expensive. And you?—”

“I’ll find a way, Stace.”

She leans back in the metal café chair and sighs. “You sure you want to fight to keep her? I mean, if it comes to that?”

“How is that a question?” My tone is harsh, but it’s like my sister is on another planet. I should give her a break, I suppose, things have changed, and she wasn’t there for it. Not with me, anyhow. I know her and Riles catch up.

Just not me and her.

“As for your other case. If enough staff members from Silver Elite will testify and provide evidence of sexual harassment, especially involving minors, this case could be something worth pursuing. However, Dad will most likely never speak to you again.”

“Already there, so that makes no difference to me.”

Her face saddens.

“Mom misses you, you know.”

“So much that she hasn’t called or even sent a single text.”

“Don’t make her choose, Spence.”

I stand, draining my coffee, and toss money onto the table. “She already did.”

I turn and make my way from the coffee shop. My phone buzzes once I make it to the sidewalk. I swipe it open to see a text from Stace.

Not everything is as straightforward as it seems. Sometimes, people do things for reasons that don’t make sense to us. But to them, it’s the best option they have at the time.

Okay... What’s with the cryptic? Are we even talking about Mom and Dad any more?

Riley is sitting for an exam, and Ives is with Mrs. Henderson. I have another hour before I pick up Riles and then rescue our elderly former neighbor from her voluntary babysitting. I know she loves it. I also know it wears her out. A lot.

Ives is never in one place. Standing up on every damn thing she can find. And I swear the other day I heard her say dada.

They grow up so fast.

Or maybe it was wishful thinking. But there’s another word I wish she’d say...

Might have to give her a little help along.

A hopeful smile tugs at the corner of my mouth... Evil plan hatched.

I flip my collar up against the wind and make my way to my truck. I’m half a block away when I spot Priscilla Princeton stalking down the sidewalk toward me.

Apparently, this far out was not far enough.

She jerks her chin up, eyes homed in on me.

I move to the side of the pavement to put space between us. The only good interaction with Priscilla is a non-existent one.

She changes trajectory and grabs my arm the second she is close enough. Her gnarled fingers curl around my bicep, nails digging into my coat. “Have you any idea what kind of embarrassment you have caused me, boy?”

I look down at her, slowly.

“Take your hand off me, Priscilla. Now,” I growl.

Her face twists as she loosens her grip before patting my sleeve. As if that will appease the loathing she elicits.