Page 54 of Kiss Collector

Yep.

Will you be mad if she talks to Dean again?

This gives me pause.Does she like him?

My heart beats too hard as I wait too long for her to respond.

IDK.

She’s lying. She totally knows but doesn’t want to get in the middle of it. Monica likes Dean. Whatever.

See u tonight, I write back.

At that exact moment, Zeb’s phone rings. “It’s Dad!” His face lights up in a way that breaks me, but the conversation ends with my brother ecstatic, punching the sky when he hangs up.

“Dad’s getting us at six and taking us to dinner and laser tag!”

What the eff? Since when does Dad take us to restaurants and fun activities? Not for years, and in the past it was always Mom’s idea. Where’s he getting the money? Borrowing from his girlfriend? I try to envision myself having fun with Dad, but it sickens me.

“Sorry, Zeb. I already have plans. You guys will have fun though.”

His face falls, but only for a fraction of a second. It will be good for them to have boy time. I don’t want Zeb to hate Dad like I do. I don’t want him to have to feel this way.

Mom must have heard Zeb’s excited shout because she comes out of her room, eyes rimmed in red. I can’t even look at her.

“How was work?” she asks.

“Work was fine,” I lie. “I drove Zeb home since he was there with his friends and I was getting off soon.”

“Good. I wondered if he’d make his way to see you while he was there.”

I see Zeb watching me, unsure if I’m going to keep my promise not to tell.

“Zeb’s going to dinner with Dad, and I’m going out with the girls.”

“Oh?”

I turn from her to text Dad while Zeb tells her the details:I can’t go.

Xanderia,he responds.Please come. I want to see you.

I turn from Zeb’s watchful eyes as I feel my stupid emotions sprouting. I wish Dad would act like the villain he is and not bother with fake niceness. My fingers type as I walk into the living room.

I have plans. Thanks for taking Zeb.

I swallow hard to rid myself of the urge to cry.

I miss my family. I hate this irreparable, broken feeling.

“Okay,” Mom says to both of us, sounding resolved but a little sad that she’ll be alone. On my way to my room to get ready, I hear Mom get a text on her phone in her room. I grab it off her nightstand and see the text on the screen from Dad.

You need to talk to Zae. I can’t take her attitude anymore.

My attitude? Forget that. I drop the phone back onto her nightstand and stalk to my room, slamming the door and turning on my music as loud as I can without disturbing the neighbors.

Ten minutes before Dad is supposed to show to pick up Zebby, I give my brother a quick squeeze.

“Have fun,” I tell him.