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“No. I’m not.”
Her sigh tells me how relieved she is that she believes I’ll keep her secret.
“I’m not going to tell him. Butyouare.”
“Me?” She turns over again, her face softening as if she’s having a conversation with a trusted friend. “I’ve learned my lesson, Allie.”Allie?She never uses my name, and now she’s saying it as if we’re BFFs. “I guess I was caught up in trying to make friends. I’ll figure out some other way. I’ll even sit in the cafeteria if you want. I promise. And no more coming up with stupid baby names. I’ll pick a good one. One you’ll really like. And I’ll babysit whenever you want. Just ask Aunt Marti how good I am with babies. I would watch Charlie all the time. And I’ll eat with you. Even when Dad is gone. I swear I will.”
The bullshit she’s feeding me just keeps getting deeper and deeper. I feel like I’m in it up to my knees. She’s all but saying she’ll get along with me as long as I don’t tell Asher. She’s putting me in a hell of a position. And I resent her for it.
“Darla, stop it. I’m not going to let you try and manipulate me.”
“I’m not. I swear I’ll do all that.”
“IfI don’t tell your dad. That’s manipulation. Actually, it’s blackmail.”
“Forget it,” she scoffs. “It’s not as if I expected you to do it anyway. When have you ever cared about what I want?”
I stand. “Listen. This stops now. I’ve bent over backwards to make this work. I’ve ignored your disparaging commentsand downright disrespect. I’ve explained away your behavior as typical rebellious teen angst. But this—what happened last night—isn’t something I can overlook. It’s serious, Bug.”
“It’s Darla!” she shouts, then holds her hands on either side of her temples.
I walk to the door. “I’ll call the school and tell them you’re sick. I’ll stay home too since I got pretty much zero sleep being on vomit watch. I’ll make pancakes and toast, that might sit well. You need to shower and change your sheets. But, Darla, youwilltell your dad. You have until the end of the weekend.”
I shut the door and something, probably a shoe, hits it behind me.
I slump down and sit on the top step, wishing like hell Asher hadn’t picked this week to be away.
Chapter Forty
Asher
This weekend has been unusual. There’s been a lot more tension between Bug and Allie than normal. I thought they were getting along better, but the pointed stares between them, the downright evil glares Darla is giving Allie, and the stilted conversation all indicate otherwise.
I get to the breaking point Sunday morning during breakfast. “Did something happen last week when I was gone?”
I glance between the two of them. They look at each other as if sizing each other up, confirming my suspicions.
“You two have been dancing around each other since I got home on Friday. What’s going on?”
Allie taps her wrist as if tapping a watch, never losing eye contact with Bug. Bug shakes her head defiantly and puckers her lips.
I put down my fork. “Well, somebody better tell me something.”
Allie puts her plate in the sink—not bothering to wash it or anything else, which is very unlike her—and says, “I’ll be in the bedroom resting.”
Now I’m confused, and a little concerned. I know she tires easily, but we’ve only been up for an hour. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. I’m also not the one you should be asking.” She nods to Bug then leaves.
My eyes rest back on my daughter, who hasn’t eaten much. She’s just pushed eggs from one side of her plate to the other.
“Okay, kiddo, what’s going on?”
She looks at the door Allie walked through as if she wants to spit fire at it. “As always, she’s making a way bigger deal out of it than she needs to.”
I cock my head. “Actually, I’ve never known Allie to make a big deal aboutanything. What is it?”
“It’s stupid. And she’sforcingme to tell you. Your girlfriend gave me an ultimatum. How’sthatfor good parenting?”