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“Sounds good.”

“See you then,” he said, and then hung up.

Allie leaned in, waiting for the moment the earpiece hit the receiver. “That was a boy.”

“It was,” I agreed, and took myself back to my bedroom before she could ask any more questions.

I emerged still sullen in time for my ride, and during my absence my mother’d decided to make herself known. She was putting together a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for herself and Allie—they assumed I’d eat at work, like I always did.

“Are you gonna bring home any fries?” Allie asked.

“I’ll try,” I said, shouldering my bag.

“Who’s taking you?” my mom asked, without looking up.

“Darius.”

“Is thathisname?” Allie said. I knew instantly she’d never forget it, ever, no matter how much I might want her too.

At that, my mom looked over. “What about Lacey?”

“She’s still sick, Mom. I think she’s gonna get fired?—”

My mother grunted, licked peanut butter off of one finger, and then made her way to her bedroom. When she returned, she held my cell phone out.

It was a tacit acknowledgement that if a girl were to get into a car with a strange boy they ought to have a cell phone for just in case.

If only I’d known it’d be so simple to get it back.

I made to reach for it, and then remembered Sarah’s phone and whirled, “Can you just toss it in there?” I asked, presenting my backpack to my mom.

She didn’t bother to hide her eyeroll. She slid my phone into the front pocket and zipped it shut.

“There you go,” she said, tone belabored by the weight of having a perpetually quirky and disappointing daughter.

“Thanks.” Tires crunched in the road outside as Darius pulled up. “Gotta go?—”

“Don’t forget fries!” Allie shouted, as I ran outside.

CHAPTER 16

Ihopped into the Corolla and slumped against the door.

“Having a good day?” he asked.

“The opposite.” I could feel the edges of my phone through the safety of my backpack. When would I ever be able to use it again? “What about you?” I forced myself to ask because at one point in time my mother had raised me to be polite.

“Can’t complain.”

“Get your battery replaced?”

“Haven’t needed too.” Darius reached out and rapped his dashboard. “For some reason, she’s running just fine.”

Hooray. I could use my powers for good. I could make sure that pot dealers didn’t have to get new car batteries. That was justswell.

“How’s business otherwise?” I asked, implying things.

“It’s none of yours, sunshine.” He gave me a lopsided grin before pulling on the entry ramp.