Read Online Rebounding by Shanna Clayton - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Shanna Clayton
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Well guess what, buddy, try turning the motion sensors off next time. I’m still a smoker, remember? My lungs crave toxic poisons at odd hours of the night.”
I did think of that, but Trevor usually smokes on the back patio. He’s paying way too much attention.
“I have no reason to hide anything.” The lie slips out easily. I don’t know why I bothered though; we both know he won’t buy it.
“Good thing too, because I planned to follow you the next time it happened.”
I slam my fist down on the counter. “Goddammit, Trev, you need to stay out of my business.”
He stops making his sandwich. “Or what?”
“Don’t tempt me—”
“Or what? ” he asks, refusing to back down. “You’re not going to fire me or kick me out. As bad as I know you’d like to, you’re not going to hit me with that fist. Wanna know why I’m so confident about that? It’s because we’re family , Max. You don’t give up on family, which is why I don’t give up on you.”
I turn away from Trevor. Dealing with him is impossible. He makes me feel guilty, and I won’t be able to do what needs to be done if I feel guilty.
“Stop looking, Max,” he sighs, almost pleading. “Please just let this go. Move on with your life. You have so much going for you. You have the website. You have—”
“I can’t,” I say, shaking my head.
“Yes, you can,” he argues. “Your past doesn’t have to define you.”
If I had a mediocrely shitty past, he could get away with that comment. What he doesn’t realize is I have no choice. My past might not define me, but it sure as hell scarred me. The only chance I have at being free is if I keep searching.
“Trevor, I don’t want to have this conversation again,” I say in a low voice, trying to keep my temper in check. “Just leave me the hell alone about it.”
Before he can say anything else, I leave. As much as I wish I could be the person Trevor wants me to be, it’s never going to happen. The sooner he understands that, the better.
***
Two hours later I find Steph staring out the sliding glass door, her arms crossed, and her brows pinched together. She’s completely absorbed by whatever she’s looking at.
“What’s going on?”
She shrugs. “She’s arguing with someone. Doesn’t seem to be going well.”
Outside, Charlotte paces the patio, holding her cell phone to her ear with one hand and the bottle of wine with the other. She’s yelling at the person on the other line, but I can’t make out what she’s saying from here.
“How long has she been on the phone?”
“A while,” Steph says, still staring as if she’s watching a criminal from a one-way mirror. “I considered going out there, but to be honest, I’m a little scared. It seems bad.”
By the looks of Charlotte’s expression, it’s really bad. I shouldn’t go out there either. Staying out of her business is the best possible move. I knew when I agreed to let her move in that she came with a lot of baggage. It doesn’t mean I have to get involved. I look down at my feet, gritting my teeth. Walk away, dumbass.
My body doesn’t listen. The next thing I know, my hand is on the door handle, and I’m stepping outside.
“Really?” Steph asks, her eyes wide. “You’re gonna deal with that?”
“Wish me luck.”
“Good God, you’ll need barrels of it. I’m going upstairs. Call out if you need reinforcements.”
I nod, shutting the door behind me.
A strong gust of wind swoops over the patio. The sky is thick with dark clouds, the ocean waves turning chaotic. A storm should hit any minute now.
“No, I’m not drunk ! What does that have to do with anything?” Charlotte yells, the wind whipping through her hair, blowing it in every direction. Mascara streaks the length of her cheeks, her eyes still glassy with tears. “Well I’m sorry, Daddy, but I’m not going back. End of story—What? No, I’m not telling you where I am! I have to go. I’ll talk to you when you
I did think of that, but Trevor usually smokes on the back patio. He’s paying way too much attention.
“I have no reason to hide anything.” The lie slips out easily. I don’t know why I bothered though; we both know he won’t buy it.
“Good thing too, because I planned to follow you the next time it happened.”
I slam my fist down on the counter. “Goddammit, Trev, you need to stay out of my business.”
He stops making his sandwich. “Or what?”
“Don’t tempt me—”
“Or what? ” he asks, refusing to back down. “You’re not going to fire me or kick me out. As bad as I know you’d like to, you’re not going to hit me with that fist. Wanna know why I’m so confident about that? It’s because we’re family , Max. You don’t give up on family, which is why I don’t give up on you.”
I turn away from Trevor. Dealing with him is impossible. He makes me feel guilty, and I won’t be able to do what needs to be done if I feel guilty.
“Stop looking, Max,” he sighs, almost pleading. “Please just let this go. Move on with your life. You have so much going for you. You have the website. You have—”
“I can’t,” I say, shaking my head.
“Yes, you can,” he argues. “Your past doesn’t have to define you.”
If I had a mediocrely shitty past, he could get away with that comment. What he doesn’t realize is I have no choice. My past might not define me, but it sure as hell scarred me. The only chance I have at being free is if I keep searching.
“Trevor, I don’t want to have this conversation again,” I say in a low voice, trying to keep my temper in check. “Just leave me the hell alone about it.”
Before he can say anything else, I leave. As much as I wish I could be the person Trevor wants me to be, it’s never going to happen. The sooner he understands that, the better.
***
Two hours later I find Steph staring out the sliding glass door, her arms crossed, and her brows pinched together. She’s completely absorbed by whatever she’s looking at.
“What’s going on?”
She shrugs. “She’s arguing with someone. Doesn’t seem to be going well.”
Outside, Charlotte paces the patio, holding her cell phone to her ear with one hand and the bottle of wine with the other. She’s yelling at the person on the other line, but I can’t make out what she’s saying from here.
“How long has she been on the phone?”
“A while,” Steph says, still staring as if she’s watching a criminal from a one-way mirror. “I considered going out there, but to be honest, I’m a little scared. It seems bad.”
By the looks of Charlotte’s expression, it’s really bad. I shouldn’t go out there either. Staying out of her business is the best possible move. I knew when I agreed to let her move in that she came with a lot of baggage. It doesn’t mean I have to get involved. I look down at my feet, gritting my teeth. Walk away, dumbass.
My body doesn’t listen. The next thing I know, my hand is on the door handle, and I’m stepping outside.
“Really?” Steph asks, her eyes wide. “You’re gonna deal with that?”
“Wish me luck.”
“Good God, you’ll need barrels of it. I’m going upstairs. Call out if you need reinforcements.”
I nod, shutting the door behind me.
A strong gust of wind swoops over the patio. The sky is thick with dark clouds, the ocean waves turning chaotic. A storm should hit any minute now.
“No, I’m not drunk ! What does that have to do with anything?” Charlotte yells, the wind whipping through her hair, blowing it in every direction. Mascara streaks the length of her cheeks, her eyes still glassy with tears. “Well I’m sorry, Daddy, but I’m not going back. End of story—What? No, I’m not telling you where I am! I have to go. I’ll talk to you when you
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