I nodded. “Yeah, of course. Thank you both for coming and be careful getting home.” With a quick wave, I headed over to Grandma, who waved goodbye as they walked away.
“Such great boys.”
I nodded in agreement.
“Unlike your brother.”
My jaw dropped. I knew how much of an asshole Luis could be, but was surprised that Grandma mentioned it.
“I’m old. Not oblivious.”
And then I laughed. “I love you.”
She smiled back. “Yo tambien.”
—
After getting home that night I showered, changed into pajamas, and plopped into bed. It had been an exhausting day. Physically and mentally. To no one’s surprise, Luis didn’t stay at Grandma’s, claiming he was staying at a friend’s, but considering I couldn’t think of one person he hadn’t alienated over the last few years, he was probably actually staying in a hotel. Hell, for all I cared, he could be sleeping in his expensive little car.
I buried myself under the blankets, then finally acknowledged the memory that Luis had stirred and that now refused to be silenced.
It was my sixteenth birthday. Mom had told me I could drive us to dinner. Dad wasn’t happy. He said I wasn’t yet responsible enough to drive. I got upset and, in classic sixteen-year-old fashion, threw what Luis referred to as a fit about it. In my mind, I’d just been upset. It’s hard to know how it looked from the outside though.
As we drove to dinner the whole car was tense and nobody said a word.
Silence in our family wasn’t that uncommon, but that particular day, things were worse than usual. Mostly because I could sense the resentment directed at me; after all, it was my birthday forcing my parents to spend time together. Something they hardly did anymore.
The streets of Port Lucia were never very busy, so even though I wasn’t an experienced driver I wasn’t usually nervous, but all the added tension had me on edge that night.
Then Dad’s phone chimed with a text. He made a disgusted grunt of annoyance and I glanced at him. He yelled at me to keep my eyes on the road. Startled, I jerked my head up, overcorrected, and lost control of the car. I quickly regained it, but it was too late. I’d driven us off the road and into a ditch. Everyone was fine, even the car. But it didn’t matter because then everything just…exploded.
Dad started screaming. He never should’ve let me drive. Mom began yelling. It was an accident. Luis shouted. Always had to get my way. And I cried. The barrage of anger surrounded me and I just broke down. Which made Dad even more furious for some reason. Then suddenly Mom shouted over everyone those four final words. I want a divorce.
The car went silent. Dad never looked back at Mom. Instead he slowly turned to me, shook his head, then faced forward. And I’ll never forget the way his voice sounded like ice as he muttered, “This is all your fault.”
That was the last thing anyone said that night.
And I never argued it. Accepted it for what it was. If I hadn’t been so stubborn about driving, things would have played out differently. They may have still divorced eventually, but it wouldn’t have gotten so ugly. In a matter of moments, the final threads of what had once been a family snapped. Everyone shut down and I’d been shut out.
As soon as the divorce was final, Mom bailed. She claimed Dad could better care for me financially and she left with hardly a word. But Dad quickly reminded me that he traveled for work too much to properly care for anyone. And I got the hint. Luis was off to college, leaving me to fend for myself. So I claimed I’d like to finish high school with my friends and, like the angel she was, Grandma swooped in and took me under her wing.
Chapter 17
Though I’d expected to pass out from exhaustion, I ended up lying in bed, tossing and turning. My phone chimed and I glanced at the time. It wasn’t even eleven yet, but I still had no idea who’d be messaging me this late.
Landon: Impromptu bonfire at the beach. I’ll pick you up.
I wasn’t dressed or even close to being ready, but a part of me kind of wanted something to take my mind off of everything.
Me: Not dressed though.
Landon: Then hurry! Be there in ten.
I smiled at my phone. Leave it to him to not give me the opportunity to say no.
Me: Okay. I’ll be ready.
I dressed in record time, left a note for Grandma on the off chance she woke up, then waited for his truck to pull in. As I approached the passenger side, I was surprised not to see Colby. Even though Landon had texted, I’d just assumed they were still together.
“Hey.” He smiled as I slid in. “Glad you decided to come.”
I buckled. “Didn’t know I had an option.”