Chapter 5
“What’s wrong?” Allie trailed her father to the kitchen and watched him wash in the sink. Her mom hated it when he cleaned up in the kitchen, but she could never break him of the habit.
He grabbed a paper towel and wiped his dripping hands. “Monica didn’t get home until three this morning. Wouldn’t tell me where she’d been.”
“Oh my God, this is crazy. What is she thinking?” Allie started walking out the door, ready to confront her sister, but his voice halted her steps.
“Don’t bother. She was gone again this morning when I got up.”
Allie faced him. “And you have no idea who she’s with, where she’s gone?” She placed her palm on her forehead and sighed. “That kid is driving me crazy.”
“Brynn thinks Monica has a new boyfriend, some guy she met at a party.”
Fear mixed with the anger churning inside her. Who knew what kind of parties Monica had been going to? Drinking for sure. Drugs? Maybe. “At a party,” she repeated. “Do we even know this guy’s name?”
Her dad shook his head and leaned against the counter, rubbing his bloodshot eyes. “No. I know it doesn’t make sense, but this is how she’s dealing with your mom’s death. She’s grieving.”
“We’re all grieving. That’s no excuse,” Allie said. “You call her friends, and I’ll check online, see if she’s updated her status. Maybe she posted something that will help.”
“Those friends of hers aren’t going to tell us anything. You should know that by now.”
“So we do nothing? Monica can’t keep going on like this, Dad, and you shouldn’t let her.”
He dropped the grease-stained hand from his face. “What do you want me to do, Al? She’s eighteen. I can’t force her to come home.” He pushed away from the counter and sat at the kitchen table.
Allie dropped down next to him and grabbed his arm. “Dad, she’s irresponsible. She’s going to get herself into real trouble. What would Mom say?”
He jerked his arm back, shaking off Allie’s hand. “Mom’s not here. In case you haven’t figured it out, we’re on our own.” His deep voice boomed. “And I know I’m failing her. I don’t need you to tell me that.” Pushing out of his seat, he stormed off, his work boots pounding against the floor before he slammed out of the house.
Allie jumped at the sound. God, she was so tired of all this. But she couldn’t sit there, worrying about Monica for the rest of the day. She needed to keep busy. So Allie forced herself to get up and clean the kitchen. After she swept the floor, she threw the neglected towels in the dryer and did another load of wash.
In the girls’ room, she found Brynn sitting cross-legged on one of the twin beds, her laptop open in front of her. “What are you doing here? Aren’t you supposed to be at what’s-his-name’s place?”
“Trevor.” Allie plopped down on the bed and tapped her elbow against Brynn’s arm. “And there’s nowhere else I’d rather be. I’ve missed you.”
“Huh, right.”
“I tried calling you last night, but you never answered.”
“I know. I was still mad at you.” Brynn leaned over and rested her head on Allie’s shoulder for a brief second before moving away. “Monica was out all night. When she got home, World War Three started.”
Allie sat motionless. Brynn actually touched her. Voluntarily. It had been a long time since her sister had sought any kind of comfort, and Allie wasn’t going to make a big deal about it, but she wanted to throw her arms around Brynnie and hug her back. Maybe this was progress. She cleared her throat. “Yeah, I heard. Any idea where she is now?”
“No, but she’s dating some new guy. His name is Brad, and he’s a total douche.”
“Do we know the douche’s last name?” Allie asked.
“No, she unfriended me, so I can’t spy on her. I’m not even sure where they met. But he’s older than her. Like as old as you.”
“Yeah, twenty-five is ancient,” Allie said. But it wasn’t funny. Monica was headed down a dangerous path, and the last thing she needed was some loser leading the way.
Brynn picked at the toe of her tennis shoe. “My guidance counselor had a meeting with Dad yesterday.”
Well, hell. Allie didn’t know how much more bad news she could take. And Brynn was always the quiet one, she never got in trouble at school. “Why didn’t he tell me? Is everything okay?”
“Yeah. Dad said you were too busy with your new job and we shouldn’t worry you with this stuff.”
This was exactly the type of thing she should know. She was gone for two days and look at what happened. Monica was missing and Brynn had trouble at school. “No, honey, I’m never too busy for you. Tell me about this counselor meeting.”
Brynn rolled her eyes. “Ms. Castor thinks I’m depressed because of Mom. Like um, hello? She says I’m not engaged enough. I need to add some extracurriculars and start participating in class more. Like it’s not enough that I get straight As? Now I have to talk too?”
“What did Dad say?”
“Dad totally agreed with her. He sat there staring and nodding like he was hypnotized. Now I have to join at least one club.” She poked herself in the chest. “You know I’m not a joiner.”
It might be good for Brynn to break out of her shell a bit, make a couple new friends, speak up once in a while. But, if Allie sided with the school counselor, she’d further alienate her sister. She chose her words carefully. “I know it’s unfair that she’s forcing this on you. But maybe you can pick something that’s not too terrible? Maybe Spanish or Math Club?”
Brynn’s eyes widened. “Do you want me to get beaten up on the bus?”
“No?”
“I’ll figure something out. She gave me a book to choose from. But I am not talking in class, so she can just get over it.” Brynn was so adamant, Allie simply nodded and kept her own mouth shut.
Then Brynn peered up at her. “Can you make me a grilled cheese or something?”
Allie couldn’t remember the last time she didn’t have to prod Brynn to eat. “Yeah, of course. Want tomato soup with it?”
“Do we have goldfish?”
“No, but we could go get some.” Allie reached out and patted Brynn’s leg.
“Okay.” She nibbled her lip. “And maybe we could watch a movie or something?”
Allie wrinkled her brow. “I don’t know. You’re not going to make me watch another teen vampire movie, are you?”
Brynn actually smiled. “Maybe.”
“You’re cruel, Brynnie. Very cruel.”
Allie was supposed to be back at the mistress mansion by twelve, but to hell with that. Her sister needed her. Trevor Blake could wait.
***
Trevor stood in the foyer and glanced at his watch for the seventh time in the last twenty minutes. He tried calling the cell phone he’d given Allie, but it kept going to voice mail. He shouldn’t have let her go off on her own, should have had Simmons drive her. What if she had gotten into an accident?
No, that was ludicrous. Of course she hadn’t been in an accident, she was simply defying him. And that had him fuming.
He’d paid off her family’s debt, forgiven her father’s loan, bought her a whole new bloody wardrobe, and kept his cock to himself. All that he asked in return was that she be here at noon. So he could take her to fucking lunch.
A smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. Well, she would regret this little act of rebellion. Yes, she would very much regret inconveniencing him today.
He stalked to his office. Loosening his tie, he shoved back his chair and fell into it as he stared blankly at one of the computer screens. Mistress, indeed. It was high time he got what he’d paid for.
Trevor worked throughout the afternoon. By the time Allie finally got home, it was five forty-seven. Arnold informed him the minute she arrived. Instead of demanding an explanation immediately, he let his anger simmer as he continued to work until dinner.
A few minutes after seven, he sauntered into the dining room and cast a glance her way as he took his seat at the head of the table. She looked lovely in the navy dress. He knew for a fact she would look even lovelier out of it.