Page 34 of Changing Lanes

Angela was right—it’s a lot. They are a lot.

Beckett yanks my key out of the ignition and it’s then I notice one of his knuckles is split. He proceeds to fold his arms over his bare chest with the key still in his grasp.

Fuck this.

I’m off my bike the next instant, walking for the exit. I’ll call one of my brothers to pick me up. Shit, I’ll hitchhike from the side of the road, for real this time.

“Hey, where do you think you’re going? After all that shit you just pulled?”

I bite my tongue, forcing my legs to take bigger strides, my breath pumping harder with each step.

“The fuck are you doing? I thought you had to work. You can’t walk there.”

Beckett catches up to me in no time, thanks to legs that are more like stilts and I rip my helmet off, knocking it into his stomach and scowling as he doubles over with a whoosh.

“Get off my fucking jock! I’m over your stupid games and I’m sure as hell not interested in having a heart-to-heart. So, get it through your thick head, I’m leaving for work and I’ll get there however I see fit. It is none of your business. I am none of your business.”

Our chests are both heaving and sweat starts to gather. I’m wearing scrubs in ninety-degree weather under the blazing sun. It’s fucking everywhere.

Before I can make my next move, Beckett spins and launches my keys across the lot. We watch as they sail over parked cars, landing with a metallic clang next to an old school Cadillac that looks like a hearse.

Without another word, he leaves, taking the stairs two at a time.

I can’t tell if I’m in shock or awe but my tall roommate just rendered me completely speechless and I wait until he’s gone to break from my spot. The last time I saw behavior that desperate was when we were kids and Caleb stole Nick’s favorite train. He hid it for a week straight knowing it would upset him. Nicky, being so much younger, grew frustrated when he couldn’t find it, so he cut off the head of a teddy bear given to Caleb by his first girlfriend. It was the saddest thing I’ve ever seen. Until now.

Retrieving my keys effortlessly, I release a steady stream of air, dropping the hand with my helmet to hang limp at my side. Helplessness is nothing new—not anymore—and if that’s what Beckett’s tantrum was all about, then maybe he’s finally catching on to what I’ve been trying to tell him all along.

He’s not in control here.

CHAPTER 9

Paige

I sleep the next day away after running several errands straight from work. The attempt to ignore the shit pile my life has turned into until the last possible second somehow doesn’t work though.

Nothing does.

After a rejected call to each of my two older siblings, I try Tysen again. He’s keeping something from me that’s also stopping him from spending time with Mom and I don’t like it.

I don’t like any of this.

When I only get his voice mail, I call Nick, too. He’s been M.I.A. and today’s no different it seems.

It’s official. The Christensen men are dodging me like a deadbeat dad when child support comes around.

I’m sick of men right now. All of them. Vernon’s giving me more attitude than ever. My roommates are egotistical jerks. Well, Marc’s okay but Beckett’s a shit. A sexy-as-sin shit, yes, but still a shit.

Seeing it’s close to five, I quickly shower then dress, choosing a black lacy top tucked into a pair of high-waisted jeans. Once my leather jacket is thrown over top, I ride over to Sunbrook. It’s technically my day off—my only day off—but I’ve got a date. I’m going to have dinner with my mom.

I put in a special request for tonight and purchased the fresh ingredients myself. As long as it’s fresh and I didn’t prepare it, the kitchen staff was willing to let me pitch in. I’m hoping her favorite food will entice her to finally eat.

Rosie approved another nurse to administer the correct dosage of my mother’s medication should she actually eat a full meal. Vernon can kiss my ass. If he wasn’t so worried about his precious schedule he could’ve helped, too. And he would’ve been paid too, unlike me, who’s technically paying to be here. Paying for the food itself and to consume the damn meal. The cooks are great at what they do though. Some visitors come in specifically at meal times just so they can eat while seeing their loved ones. They must pay like they would at a regular restaurant but it’s worth it honestly. The food is delicious and the people make great company—just not Vernon.

Parked and hungry, I stride across the lot then wait to be buzzed in the front entrance. No employee entrance for me tonight. I can finally be my first and most important role again—doting daughter.

One of the front personnel lets me in and I head straight for room fourteen. When I find it empty, I search the hallway for that mahogany hair my entire family has. Not seeing her, I venture to the lobby, finding her frail body hunched over a cup of tea.

She’s lost more weight at Sunbrook than she did at the other home and I can’t help but rethink my decision to move her here—again. Maybe my brothers were right.