On the Run: The Texas Files ✔

Chapter 31: The Bittersweet, Purple-Eyed Boy

"Jackie!" Andrew calls from the living room.

"What?" I call back.

It's been a couple of days since Christmas, and I'm at home with my brothers. Since Dad went back to work the day after Christmas, it's just been us three in the house most of the time.

I get up off my bed and go to the living room to see what he wants.

I lean against the hallway door frame. "You rang?"

"I'm going to Lily's," he says as he puts on his shoes. "She said Tyler is in an extremely pleasant mood, and he wants to see you."

I groan. Why on Earth would I want to see him, of all people? He's part of the force that makes my life a living hell. My hand throbs just thinking about him. I put my hand through my bangs and sigh. "Do I have to?"

He smiles a little. "It would help if you kept him company. Lily and I were going to work on a prop for her next play, and he's usually annoying and hovers. Please?"

Oh, no. He said please. I hate it when he does that. He does so much for me, and I feel like I can't do anything for him. I hang my head. "Fine."

"Thank you!" he says. "I owe you big!"

"Yes, you do," I say. 

I rush back into my room and change from my pajamas into jeans, a t-shirt, and my sneakers.

I go into the bathroom, wash my face, put gel in my hair, and brush my teeth, then apply very minimal makeup.

Andrew is waiting at the bar. "Do you ever wear any other shoes?"

I shrug. "I'm doing you a favor. Don't criticize my shoes."

He grabs the keys and opens the hall closet. "It's cold," he says as he throws a jacket at me.

"Thanks, Dad." I joke as I put on the denim jacket.

"Noah," he says in the vague direction of the couch. "We'll be home later. I was going to say 'try not to get Marissa pregnant,' but you've done that already, so just try not to burn down the apartment."

I cover my mouth to keep from laughing at Andrew's shade. He's gotten pretty good about it over the last month or so. Lily must be teaching him things.

Noah turns to us. "You both suck."

We burst into laughter as we walk out, and Andrew locks the door.

Lily is waiting for us in our parking lot in an Audi. I hate that these people can drive these really expensive cars, and all we have is a beat-up, twenty-year-old minivan.

I get in the backseat. No Tyler. I'm very relieved because I have to build up some tolerance to deal with his shit first.

Andrew greets Lily with a kiss on the cheek. Well, that's new. Their relationship is progressing nicely, it seems.