When Dan’s hands throw down, Rob doesn’t start off as strong as Xavier and for a moment they’re inches apart, each one taking a small lead. With the cloud of exhaust, I’m restricted to make out who won. Everyone screams a minute later and I’m not sure if it’s happiness, or anger. I inspect Xavier’s group and they all shake their heads except Nora who’s staring directly at me.
“PAIGE!” Rob screams over to me and I jolt to search for him. He’s on the return road, and he waves me over. Running over to him, the crowd begins to follow me, but as soon as I get in the passenger seat, Rob speeds off.
“Who won?” I ask for clarification.
“Me.” It’s one word and you’d think he’d crack a smile or something, but he doesn’t. Silence fills our trip out of the raceway and down the country road.
THE SOUND OF the shower wakes me up. I should have been up hours ago at work, but after last night, I just can’t go. I’ve beaten myself up most of the night for slaughtering Xavier. Why couldn’t I have let him win? My hand punches the mattress and I sit up, my fingers in my hair, tugging on the short black strands. Images of last night flash through my head. Nora growing up into an identical image of Carly. Xavier’s angry eyes toward me, Paige’s timid behavior when she came up to the three of us. Mostly, it’s Carly that crosses my mind though. The day of the accident, her loving eyes gazing at me like I was her savior. Seeing her siblings that hold the same green eyes and red hair. Their Irish genes shining through. Digging through my wallet, I search for the therapist’s number.
I dial the number and the standard recording rings over the line. I wait for the beep. “Hey, it’s Rob Winters, give me a call . . . please.” I click off the phone and toss it on my bed.
Staying in bed all day sounds pretty damn nice, so I turn on my television and prop myself up a little more on the headboard. Our doorbell rings and I wait for footsteps that it’s being answered. A minute later it rings again, so I throw the sheet off me and put on a pair of sweats. The water is still running, signaling Paige is in the shower, so I shuffle down the steps and open the door.
A woman stands outside with a boy. She’s attractive in that cougar kind of way. Short skirt, tight top and heels that show off her legs. The boy smiles up to me and I spot he’s missing a tooth. “Oh my.” The woman’s hand covers her heart and she flirtatiously smiles. “Who are you?” She steps in without me inviting her and the boy follows, staring down at the ground with each step.
“I think the question is, who are you?” I shut the door, my hand still resting on the knob.
“I’m Linda, Paige’s mom.” She places her hand on the kid’s head. “This is Matty, Paige’s brother.” The kid peeks up through his eyelashes for a brief second and then back down to the floor. Brother?
“Oh, nice to meet you. I didn’t know she had family coming.” I inch closer now that I realize she’s not at the wrong house.
“Believe me, the pleasure is mine.” She steps forward and her hand lands on my forearm that’s crossed over my chest. “I love your tattoos.” Her finger traces the outline of my guitar tattoo. “Whose lips? They must mean something.”
I huff and stare down at that stupid tattoo I’ve delayed too long to get covered. Jessa’s lips puckered right to my skin, what the fuck was I thinking in that moment, other than I was holding on to another girl that I’d lost. “An ex. Thanks for the reminder to get it covered.” I smile, not moving an inch.
“I’m sorry. You need help with your wounded heart?” Shit, this woman is forward. With her being Paige’s mom, I’m not about to disrespect her, but damn, she’s nothing like Paige. Her son’s eyes flick up and then back down and his cheeks flush pink from embarrassment.
“Not by you,” Paige appears at the bottom of the staircase and I whip my head around. “Sorry, Rob, my mom can be . . . forward.” She bends down to her knees, placing her hands on the kid’s shoulders. She ducks her head under so she can see him. “Hey, Matty!”
He lifts his head to meet her eyes and offers her a crooked smile. “Paige,” the kid whispers, his shoulders deflate in relief at the sight of his sister. She pulls him into a hug and her mom finally removes her hand from my arm. Picking him up, she holds him on her hip like it’s second nature.
“Mom, how on Earth did you find me?” she asks and I’m stuck between wanting to find out more information and not wanting Paige to think I’m intruding. Although, I’m positive she intruded into my life last night. The pity in her eyes wasn’t hard to miss in the moonlight glow in the car on the way home. Someone told her something.
“Is that anyway to speak to your mother?” Her hand lands on her hip and she juts it out. “I followed you home the other day. But you never told me about your roommate.” Her predatory eyes greedily move up and down along my body and Paige growls in frustration.
“Rob, would you mind giving us some privacy?” She sets Matty down on the ground.
“Yeah.” I face her mom. “It was nice meeting you, Linda.” I nod my head and then look at Matty. “Do you want some breakfast? I was just about to make some.”
His scared brown eyes flick to mine and then Paige’s. Never his mom’s. “Go ahead, Matty. I’m sure you’ll like Rob; he acts about your age.” She doesn’t even giggle at her own dig at me, let alone crack a smile.
“Paige is right, I have some Frosted Flakes.” Sneaking behind her, I allow my finger to graze along the small of her back and she arches forward from what I’m sure was electricity shooting up her spine from my touch. “You okay there, Paige?” I back step to the kitchen, shooting her a wink before spinning around after Matty.
The cereal isn’t even in my hands yet before shouting fills the small the house. “What the hell? You can’t just drop him off.” Paige screams and I notice Matty’s chin fall to his chest.
“So, buddy.” I place three different cereals on the table. “Which will it be? Or I can make you eggs.” He eyes the boxes and then scoots the Fruit Loops my way.
“Excellent choice. I think I’ll join you.” When I grab two bowls, the milk, and spoons, Paige and her mom are still going at it. Her mom rattling that she has no option and Paige arguing she needs to be more responsible.
After I pour the cereal and fill them with the milk, I sit down next to him. “So, do they fight like this all the time?” I toss my thumb in the direction of the living room.
He peers up and at first I think he won’t answer my questions, but he surprises me. “Yeah.” A boy of few words.
“Do you guys live close by?” He stares at me blankly. “Did it take long to get here?”
“Nope.” He dips his spoon into the cereal and his mouth opens wide to engulf a huge bite.
“Mom, I have school. There’s no more money, I’m out.” Paige continues to yell and I wish I could cover up the little guy’s ears.
“That’s cool you live close to your sister.” I have no idea what else to talk to this kid about. Plus it’s Monday, and shouldn’t he be in school or something?
“Yeah.” Okay then.
We sit in an uncomfortable silence listening to the two women fight in the other room.
“I can see if Chrissy can do it, but Mom, you have to get your shit together.” Hearing Paige, I figure I better interrupt.
“Stay here, buddy, I’ll be right back.” Standing up, I prepare myself for the death glare I’m positive Paige will shoot my way when I re-enter the battling cages. I want to help her out as a thank you for not pushing me last night.
Paige’s mom is sitting on the couch and Paige is pacing back and forth in front of the television when I cross through the archway. Her mouth isn’t stopping and her mom remains quiet. It’s like reversed roles of mother and daughter, and sympathy for Paige’s position surfaces. I’ve been there.