Page 9

“The Strip is for grown-up parties. You know I can’t go.” Charlie scowls at me, fury flooding her eyes. “So who is babysitting me, huh?”
“Well, Debbie Downer, guess what? Lennox rented out House of Blues and it’s a private event. I already checked and you can come. But if you so much as sniff anything other than water or Dr. Pepper,so help me God?—”
“I won’t.I won’t,” Charlie whines. “Are Shirley Temples okay?”
I chew on the inside of my cheek as I debate. Shirley Temples look a lot like alcoholic drinks. It takes me slipping uponcefor Child Services to swoop in and try to take Charlie from me. I was only eighteen when I took legal guardianship for a six-year-old. Everyone, including our case worker, thought I’d fail at this, but I made giving my sister a wholesome and safe childhood my life purpose.
“You can order a Shirley Temple if they put it in a sippy cup.”
She groans. “You’re so lame.”
“Or we could just skip it?” I lift an eyebrow warningly.
“No. I want to go. I’ll be good.” She makes a cross above her heart and holds out her pinky—our secret sister signal. “I swear.”
Looping my pinky through hers, I squeeze as tight as I can. “Is that finally a smile?”
She rolls her eyes and nods, but her sassy expression melts into a warm, wide smile.
“I love you, Charlie. I know this is a lot of change, but I promise we’re going to be okay. Everything I’m doing is for you. I need you to trust me, okay?”
She opens her mouth to say something but is cut off by a loudhoooonkfrom the car behind us, making us both jump.
“Are you fucking kidding me?” I screech out as I smack the steering wheel. I’m so peeved at the Karen behind me for ruining the only sweet exchange I’ve had with my little sister in weeks that the curse word slipped right out. “I’m sorry. Don’t say that word.”
She slides me a teasing grin. “Which word?”
I touch two fingers to my temple and rub in little circles like I have a headache. “Youknow. I am trying very hard to be a good role model for you. But I’m human, and very occasionally, bad words slip out.”
She cackles as she flings the passenger door wide open. “Oh please, Spence. It’s not even the first time you’ve slippedtoday.”
I point through the door. “Get out.”
After blowing me a kiss, she climbs out of the SUV and slams the door shut.
“Gentle,” I growl under my breath, knowing she can’t hear me. This is a really nice company vehicle. They said there was insurance on it, but I don’t know if I’m liable for scrapes and dings. I don’t want to show up on my first day of work having already wrecked company property.
I watch Charlie walk away with a little pep in her step. I don’t leave until she’s through the double doors of the school, disappearing into the crowd of students. We took a tour earlier this week. She knows exactly where to go for her first-period science class.
Right as I shift into drive, there’s another loud honk from behind me. My blood starts to boil. I clench my fists so hard my knuckles crack.Don’t do it, don’t do it.I try to calm down, but…fuck it.I throw the car back into park and put my hand on the door handle, ready to go give this pushy asshole a piece of my mind, but suddenly, something deep inside holds me back.
I’m only twenty-three. No one would be surprised if I was a hothead and cursed this B out at the top of my lungs. I’m in Las Vegas. I should be going to parties on the Strip and getting so drunk I don’t remember my name. But also, I’m notjusta twenty-three-year-old.
I sigh and release the door handle.
I’m not only her big sister, I’m the only mom Charlie has now. Everything I do could create consequences for her. What if the jerk behind me is the mother of the only friend she makes today? Or worse, the mom of her first crush? I don’t get to act on impulse. Since the day my mother died five years ago, it’s been my job to think of Charlie before myself.
I suck down my pride and make eye contact through the rearview mirror. After flipping on my turn signal, I hold up my palm as an apology for blocking the lane too long.
“I’m trying, Mom,” I say softly, looking up to the bright blue sky through the windshield. “Ipromiseyou, I’m trying.”
3
Spencer
“Anyone up for karaoke?” our server asks as she returns with our drinks. Charlie and I have been treated like royalty all night, sitting at the birthday girl’s VIP booth. It’s our first time ever getting bottle service. But in solidarity with my underage sister, I’ve only been sipping on Shirley Temples.
“Seriously? No one?” Our server wiggles a clipboard in the air, trying to coax a response from our table. “You’re at House of Blues. Look at that lonely stage. Someone has to sing.”