"Yeah. Get in here." I moved over, making room for my little brother beside me.
He pounced on the bed, and turned on his side, curling up and smiling. "I'm sorry about what happened between Dad and Finn."
"Me too." I reached out and brushed his hair back. "It's okay though. I need Dad to step back, and this was just one way to make it happen. I think he thinks he can use his money to hold power over me, but he can't. It's his attention and love that I want. That would have me visiting every holiday no matter what."
"Yeah. I think he knows that. He's just scared to care about someone and then lose them like we did momma."
"How are you holding up? I know it's been a long time, but Dad gets so depressed this time of year." I brushed my fingers through his hair again, realizing that I'd not even thought to check on him.
"I'm okay. I just try not to think about it."
I nodded. "Me too."
"I tried to text Finn, but he didn't respond. That was yesterday." Parker pushed my hand away. "You're going to cause my dandruff to come out, and then I'll have to shake my head and make it snow in here."
"Ewww, sick." I pushed at his chest as he laughed.
"I'm worried about Finn, Sis."
"Me too. Let's go ride over to his house and see if he's there. We can get a coffee on the way."
"Peppermint hot chocolate?" Parker sat up and lifted his eyebrow in question.
"Yeah. One of those too." I sat up and pulled with me, tucking them under my arms. "Where's Dad?"
"No clue. He left a note that said he would be back soon."
"Alright. Let's make a run for it then. I don't really want to see him yet." I waited for my brother to leave the room before getting up and dressing in some sweats and a long-sleeve shirt. Finn not calling or texting hurt my feelings, but I worked at letting it go as best I could.
The sound of my father taking to Parker as I walked down the hall caused my heart to contract. I adverted my gaze and walked past them, grabbing my jacket and my keys.
"Where are you going, Chloe?"
"To check on my boyfriend who's been ignoring me since yesterday. Can I use your SUV or did you want me to walk? I know nothing belongs to me, so if you want these clothes back, just let me know that too."
"Just be careful," he mumbled and turned back to Parker, continuing their conversation.
I was surprised by his unwillingness to fight with me. I shouldn't have been egging him on anyway. I'd promised myself that I would work on things with him, but it was so damn hard when he kept throwing daggers at the people that I cared about.
The car was nice and toasty by the time Parker got into the passenger's side and buckled up.
"What was that all about?" I glanced over at him and put the jeep in reverse.
"Dad has something special he wants to get you for Christmas, but he needs help with it." He shrugged.
"What is it?" I turned on the lights and windshield wipers, not feeling so good about driving across town all of a sudden.
"I'm not telling you." He chuckled.
I hit the brakes as the jeep rolled over something. "What was that?"
"The chains. Dad put the chains on the tires last night. I helped him."
"Where was...oh. In my room."
"Yeah, but it's cool. Gave us a chance to do something together. He stays so busy with his clients and stuff, that it was a good reason to call in. Family meltdown is what he told them."
I laughed, unable to help myself. "It was that."
"I'm glad you told him that he hadn't been a Dad since mom died. He has been to me, but I think you remind him so much of mom that he struggles with just being around you." My brother shrugged. "It's stupid, I know, but I think that's part of it."
"You would think that would make him love me more, not less." I turned on the radio, not wanting to dive into the reasons why my father was such a jerk to me most days. "New subject."
"Right. What are you getting Finn for Christmas?"
"I got him some cologne, but I can't figure out what else he might like." I looked over at my brother. "What would want if you were him?"
He looked at me and rolled his eyes. "You. Duh."
"He's got me."
"Does he?"
"Stop analyzing things. You're sixteen. Fart in the car and blame it on me, but don't grow up. I need some immaturity in my life. That has to be you."
"It will always be me." He reached over and tugged at my hair. "Be careful on the side roads if we have to get on any. I was watching the weather this morning and it's nasty."
"We do, so just help me watch out for things?"
"Of course."
We rode in silence the rest of the way out to Finn's, which was a gift in itself. Finn's truck wasn't out in the yard, which was surprising. I knew he worked on Sunday afternoons, but I would have thought Chuck would have let the guys off to rest or go to church.
"Where's his truck?" My brother sat up and looked around.
"No clue. Wait here and let me make sure he's not inside."
"Yeah. Sure. You got a key?" He lifted his eyebrow at me.
"Yeah. We're dating...I think."
"I'd say so."
I got out of the jeep without responding. Of all of the people in the world, my little brother was not going to become my make-shift girlfriend. With Jessie out of my life, I'd have to make some new friends, but they'd be girls, and they would not be related to me.
After finally getting the key in the lock, I walked into the house to find it just as I'd left it. Not a dish out or a pillow moved. I check Finn's bedroom and stopped in my tracks. The bed wasn't even touched.
"Did you not come home at all?" I flipped on the lights, and looked around as if there were something that might give me a clue to where the hell he was.
Maybe he stayed at his Dad's.
Surely he wouldn't have stayed with some random girl in town just because my Dad kicked him in the proverbial nuts. No. I wouldn't even let those thoughts occupy my time. He was mine, and I was his. This wasn't about infidelity, but about him needing to work through all the shit my Dad slung at him. I only wished he would have let me help him. For each negative my Dad was sure to have hit him with, I could have pulled out ten positives.
After locking up, I jogged back to the jeep and got in.
"No luck?"
"No. He wasn't there last night for sure." I sunk back against the seat and growled. "Now what?"
"Have you tried texting him?"
"Yes, pointer of the obvious. Of course I have."
"Okay, shit. Put your teeth back in your head."
I turned to him and bit at the air for good measure as he laughed.
"Do you think it would be too much if we went by the shop where he works? His Dad owns it, so he would know where Finn was, I'm sure."
"I think that's fine. We're just concerned friends. They shouldn't get upset about that, and anyway, the worse he can do is send us packing."
"True." I turned the radio to a new channel, stopping on the local one to hear the weather.
"Local news update... Bear Creek Lodge will closed down until farther investigations are completed regarding the tragic accident of a twenty-seven year old local male. He's still in critical condition at St. Mark's and the town is joining his family in praying for him to make a full recovery. This should serve as a warning that as the city council always advises, no ski..."