Holden Peters expects nothing exciting to happen during the summer before his final year of high school. But in a spontaneous act of bravery, he saves his pretty next door neighbour from drowning and is deemed as a local hero.
Thanks to his newfound...
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Back at the house, everyone was getting ready for dinner. One of the perks of my dad marrying Beth was that she could cook. Like, really cook. Dad and I had been living off two minute noodles and microwavable Mac 'n' Cheese due to our complete lack of skills in the kitchen, but ever since Beth arrived into our lives, I think I gained the whole weight of a cow.
"I'm back," I announced as I walked into the kitchen.
Tess nodded at me. "Quinton went home. His dad got into some trouble at the pub, so he had to pick up his drunk ass."
Quinton's dad had been waist deep in his down crap since he lost his job. He picked up drinking and now I think he's going through his mid-life crisis because he started wearing leather pants and got a tattoo of something I'd rather not mention. But let's just say he'll regret it once he clears the hell up.
"Hey, douche." Jace regarded me with a shove in the shoulder, along with a menacing I'm-going-to-kill-you glare.
"Jason," Beth warned, scowling at her son.
Jace, Tess' nineteen-year-old brother, had it in for me since I was a freaking fetus. He never really liked me to begin with, but it got worse after I turned fifteen. He thought I was the dude who took his little sister's virginity and although I had mentioned –multiple times, I might add- that I never screwed Tess, he still doesn't get it. I suppose it mostly has to do with his negative numbered IQ and way too many knocks in the head whilst in his high school glory years on the footy team.
"Holden, please help Beth," Dad said from the fridge.
I picked up the bowl with the potato salad, but before turning, I dipped my finger in the homemade gravy and stuck it in my mouth. Beth frowned at me, but didn't say anything. She still wasn't completely comfortable with telling me off so I could almost get away with anything unless she told Dad about it.
"George!" Tess called and a few seconds later, her younger brother came down, PSP in hands.
I liked George. Mostly because his dialogue was limited and he didn't look at me like I was dinner like his older brother did. He sat down in his usual chair, eyes still glued to the screen of the device until his mum told him to put it away and help set the table. Reluctantly, George placed his PSP on the bench table and grabbed the stack of plates and cutlery.
I placed the bowl of potato salad in the middle of the dinner table and as soon as everything was ready, we each took our seats and Beth insisted on leading us in prayer. So we each bent our heads and waited silently.
"Dear, God," she began. "We thank you for this meal."
Tess nudged me with her foot under the table and I looked up at her. She pulled a quick face at me, an combination of crossed eyes, flared nostrils and topped with her tongue wedged between her teeth. I mirrored something equally as attractive/
