“I know it’s late,” he says. “But Izzy put some sandwiches together for dinner. You should come out and hang with us. I promise nobody bites.”
Ha. I bet they do, but they probably already ate the two orphan kids who left a path of bread crumbs. “I was hoping to use your phone again so I could video chat with Mom.”
Eli refused to let me take my cell from my parents, insisting that I not have anything that was “traceable.” Talk about being overly dramatic.
His eyebrows furrow together. “I thought you talked to her before your shower.”
“I talked with Mom and Dad on the phone, but I’d like to see her.” And I need to speak with my mom...without Dad, because maybe he’s wrong. Maybe she will tell me the truth. “You said I could talk to them as much as I wanted.”
“I did.” He did.
He said it when Mom and I were locked in a hug outside of the warehouse with no signs of letting go. Mom’s shoulders started to shake and my own eyes began to water and I sent a pleading glance to my dad because I was seriously backsliding on my decision to stay. Eli stepped in and said that I could call Mom and Dad whenever I wanted. Any time. Any day.
“Plus, I need to call Trisha. Her dad’s a state trooper. If she informs him I’ve become a missing person then I’m not responsible for what happens after that.”
I’m kidding, yet I’m not. Even though I did agree to stay here, I still feel rather kidnapped.
Eli pulls his phone out and hands it to me. “You need to eat and your mom would be pissed if I let you starve. Plus, it’d mean a lot to Olivia if you ate with us.”
“Okay.” I rub my thumb over the back of his cell.
“Izzy’s going to buy you a burner phone tomorrow so I’d appreciate it if you’d wait until then to call your friend. Then we’ll go shopping when I get back from this trip. Clothes. Everything. Just like our yearly visit in Florida, but bigger.” He smiles and I force myself to return the gesture, but I spot in the mirror how fake it looks so I quit and, instead, nudge the floor with my toe.
“That sounds great.”
“It will be.” Eli stands there as if conversation between us should be easy. “Do the clothes Izzy got you fit?”
I twist, hoping he’ll catch on that the clothes are tighter and shorter than what I own because it would be rude for me to point it out. “What do you think?”
“They’ll work.” So much for hoping. “On calling your friends, I’d appreciate it if you make a list of who you need to talk to and keep that list small. Also, be careful what you tell them. Don’t say anything about the Riot. Maybe tell them you’re visiting out-of-state colleges for a few weeks or something.”
Shouldn’t be hard. Only Trisha knows I’m adopted so no one will even begin to think I’m being sequestered by my crazy biological paternal family. “I’ll only call Trisha and she’ll tell everyone else I’m gone for a bit. I was supposed to go on vacation with her next week.”
Eli stares at me. I stare at him.
“I’m costing you your summer,” he says.
I shrug, but yeah, he is.
We continue to stare at each other and it’s like Eli’s searching for something else to say. We’ve already gone through the Spanish Inquisition in the truck earlier so we’re good on conversation for at least a year.
“I’m sorry I won’t be here the entire time. I’ll check in, though, and make sure you’re okay. These deliveries are important and after what’s happened with you and the Riot, I don’t feel right letting anyone else be point on it.”
“It’s okay.” It is. This is his job. I’m not really a fixture in his life so he doesn’t owe me an explanation.
“When I get back, I can teach you how to drive.”
“Dad will teach me when I go home.”
The lines deepen on Eli’s face and I hate the guilt that rushes over me.
“But shopping will be fun,” I add.
Eli does his own fake grin and then excuses himself, shutting the door behind him.
I ease onto the window seat, swipe my fingers over the phone and after a beep, my mother accepts the call. She’s grainy on the small screen. Her image freezes twice before it clears. The internet reception in this area stinks, but I can’t imagine it’s much better in their hotel in Louisville. Mom and Dad will be flying home tomorrow.
“Hi, Mom,” I say.
Mom’s eyes are red and puffy. Leaving her was hard. Her leaving me might have been harder. “Hi, Emily. Everything okay?”
“Yeah. Is Dad around?”
“No, he’s in the business center checking on some stuff for work, but I can go get him if you want.” Her tablet shakes as she rises and I stop her from going forward.
“No. Don’t. I was hoping we could talk...just me and you for a few minutes.”
She settles back down. The bedframe behind her is mahogany. Twenty bucks they’re staying at the best hotel in Louisville, which would be a switch from the hellhole we were in last night. Mom twirls her blond hair around her fingers. “What’s wrong?”
Olivia told me that my life is a lie. That I lived here, in this house, with her, and that you stole me from her—which I don’t even understand what that means. Plus, Dad sort of confirmed this by not confirming it and informed me that even if I asked, you’d lie.
“Eli’s family seems nice.” Or crazy, but nice might award me more answers. “I’m supposed to be eating dinner with them and I was wondering if you could tell me anything about them. I just feel...” Terrified. Confused. Alone. “Out of place.”