Chapter 7
the audacity of some people
MIA
August
As I step out onto the sidewalk, I pull my suitcase behind me. The straps of my backpack dig into my shoulders as I look one way then the other.
Now that I’m in Monterey, I’m not so sure surprising my family is the best idea, but it’s too late now.
They know I’m coming, they just don’t know it’s today.
The last time I showed up unannounced, I didn’t tell anyone except Chiara I was in town.
If the truth comes out? I shake my head. I don’t even want to think about it.
When my phone buzzes in my bag, I huddle in the nearest corner, pull my suitcase out of the way of other travelers, and fish my phone out of my bag. When I hit Accept, Dad’s smiling face appears on the screen.
“Hey.”
“Hi, sweetie. Are you in Monterey already? I’m still getting used to the time difference, so I might be wrong.”
“I just landed. I’m leaving the airport now.”
“Did you call your brother? Let him know you were on your way?”
“Nope.” I take off my backpack and balance it on the suitcase, and the tension in my shoulders instantly evaporates.
“Why not? He’d have been thrilled to meet you at the airport and help you with your luggage.”
“Do I need to google the definition of ‘surprise’ and send you the link?”
“Har, har. Have you learned nothing from last year’s surprise?”
Cheeks flaming, I bite my bottom lip. Dad doesn’t know what went wrong, but he knows I came running back to Phoenix as if my ass was on fire. He did his best to pry information from me, but…
I exhale through my nose. It’s better if he doesn’t know.
It’s best if no one ever knows.
“I’m doing things differently this time,” I tell him. “Plus, you know how Mom is, especially since I haven’t visited in so long. She won’t leave me alone now that school is starting.”
“I know. Sorry it came to this.”
“Dad! You working for the University of Milan is a dream come true. I’m happy for you, so please stop feeling bad about moving. You’re living in Italy. How could anyone feel guilty about that? This is finally your chance to see the world.”
He chuckles, though it’s half-hearted.
“Besides,” I say, giving him a bright smile, “college in Monterey will be great. I’ll be fine.”
“You’re my little girl; I’ll never stop worrying about you,” Dad murmurs. “It might take some time to adjust to college life, so I’m happy you’ll be near your mom and Matthew. And Allan and Dominic.”
Ugh, this is the part I’m not so thrilled about.
I have nothing against Allan. The distance I put between myself and my family has helped me gain perspective, and I learned quickly that my stepfather really is a good man.
He has my utmost respect and my deepest apologies for my bratty behavior.
Actually, “bratty” doesn’t even come close to describing the way I behaved.
No, I was a straight-up bitch to him, and no matter how many times I say I’m sorry, it won’t be enough.
But Dominic? Nah, I don’t even want to go there.
To change the subject, I ask, “How are you?”
Dad and I talk for a few more minutes, and when we end the call, I can’t help but smile, even if I already miss him like crazy. But the opportunity in Milan is huge, and when he mentioned it, I immediately told him I wouldn’t mind moving back to Monterey.
Even though it’ll be an adjustment living with my mom again, I think it’ll all be alright.
Fingers crossed.
As the taxi drives away, my knees wobble.
It has very little to do with how heavy my backpack is and everything to do with the house I stand in front of, the one I left four years and nine months ago and haven’t visited since.
Even when I flew in unannounced last year, I didn’t set foot in this house.
I sound like an asshole saying that, but I wanted to keep my distance.
For the last five years, Matt has flown to Phoenix for holidays and during the summer.
Mom and Allan visited about once a year, staying for several weeks at a time.
It mostly annoyed me. When they were in town, I went from having one pretty chill parent in my business to three, one of whom went overboard, like she was trying to make up for the eleven months a year we didn’t see each other by sticking to me like glue for the one month we did.
Dad loved it when they visited. It gave him and Allan time to rebuild their relationship, and now, they’re best friends again.
Mom and Dad? Over the years, the tension between them has eased but not completely. She’s still really hurt I “chose Dad over her,” and she’s spent the last four years trying to convince everyone, including herself, that Dad guilted me into moving in with him.
She’s way off base, and we all know it, but Mom will always be Mom.
I’d love to say I haven’t seen Dominic in four years and nine months, but I prefer not to lie. Though, in the last year, lying has become very important for my survival. If he knew we met less than ten months ago, or exactly how we met, he would be furious.
It’s a secret I plan to take to my grave.
Huffing and puffing, I climb the stairs of the porch. I set my suitcase by the door and ring the doorbell with my lip trapped between my teeth.
When there’s no commotion on the other side of the door, I step back and peer into the window. The curtains are closed, making it impossible to see anything. They should be home. It’s eleven a.m. on a Saturday, for fuck’s sake.
When five minutes go by, and I’m still standing out here with my luggage, I realize my dad was right. When it comes to my family, surprises aren’t a good idea.
I drop my backpack onto the porch and pull my phone out of my bag.
Matt answers on the second ring, and the line is instantly filled with laughter and chatter. “Hey. What’s up?”
“Hi,” I reply slowly. “Where are you?”
“In Vegas.”
My shoulders sink. Just my luck, I guess.
“Really? You didn’t mention it when we talked the other day.”
“Allan needed someone to deliver a car to a client, so he asked Dom and me for a favor. We got in last night and decided we’d spend a day here before coming home.”
I ease myself onto the top step and rest my chin in my hand. “When will you be back in Monterey?”
“Tomorrow. Figured I’d have a little fun before my internship started.” He clears his throat. “Why are you asking? You’ll be in town on Wednesday, right?”
Tears prick the backs of my eyes. “I’m here.”
The line between us gets muffled, and there’s a rustling noise. “You what? You were supposed to fly home next week!” he yells. “If you’d told me you were coming early, I would’ve headed home right after we dropped off the car.”
Eyes closed, I rub my forehead. “I wanted it to be a surprise.”
He groans. “Fuck. I don’t know what to say.”
“It’s okay. I’ll call Mom.”
“She and Allan are in Tahoe.”
My vision goes blurry with tears. Dammit.
“Oh, cool.” I lick my lips. “I’ll just check into a hotel until you get back.”
“Easier said than done.” He groans. “Let me talk to Dom, and I’ll call you back.”
It takes him ten minutes to call me back—not that I’m counting.
“Okay,” he says, his tone lighter. “Don’t check into a hotel. Help is on the way.”
“Help?”
“Yeah, Dom called someone who has a spare key for the house. They’ll let you in.”
My chest tightens. “Called who?”
“It’s…” The line gets staticky for a second, and then he says, “Hey, Mia, our drinks just showed up. Gotta go. Just sit tight!”
With that, the line goes dead. Whatever.
While I wait for this mysterious “help,” I text Jeff, my ex-boyfriend turned best friend. He was my first boyfriend; while our relationship was cute and lovely, we realized pretty quickly we’re better off as friends.
Me:
Hi stud. I’m in Monterey. Safe and sound…but kinda homeless
Jeff:
Hi firecracker. What do you mean, kinda homeless?
Me:
I wanted to surprise my family, but they surprised me. No one is home
Jeff:
Damn. What are you gonna do? Check into a hotel?
Me:
Matt said I should wait. They called someone who has a spare key
Jeff:
Leave it to your overprotective brother to save the day
Me:
He’s more caring than overprotective
Jeff:
Same difference
Me:
How’s Tessa?
Jeff:
Panicking
Me:
Tell her everything will be alright. I’m already making plans for next week
Jeff:
She says you’re the best!
A car pulls into the driveway, so I tuck my phone away and stand. As I’m dusting off my butt, the car door slams shut, and the mysterious help saunters toward the porch.
The butcher.
I’m not being fair, I know, but the woman always screamed bloody murder when she was with Dominic, and the nickname stuck in my head. It was always a good way to distract myself from what they were doing.
Her red hair is collected into a high ponytail, and it swings from side to side as she sashays down the walkway. Her tiny jean shorts make her legs look ridiculously long, and her dark green, low-cut tee gives me a good view of her cleavage.
“Hi,” I say.
She climbs the stairs and stops in front of me, her eyes hard, like she’s assessing an annoying bacterium under a microscope.
“Little stepsister,” she finally murmurs. Her red lips spread into a smile.
“I prefer ‘Mia.’ That’s my name.”
“I know, though I don’t think we were ever officially introduced. I’m Remi.”
Keeping my expression even, I dip my chin. “Nice to meet you.”
She shifts her gaze to my suitcase, then my backpack, and cocks a brow. “So you’re really moving back?”
“Yeah, starting college in a couple of weeks.”
She hums, still studying me like she’s sizing up the enemy. “Have you figured out what you want to do with your life?”
I pick up my backpack and heft it over one shoulder. “The plan is to work in the gaming industry. I want to be a game designer.”
“How fancy.” She flattens her lips.
Annoyance flares hot in my veins. What’s her problem with me? “Matt said you have a spare key.”
With a nod, she skirts around me and heads to the door. I fold my arms over my chest, holding my ground and keeping my chin lifted, all the while cursing myself for letting her make me feel uncomfortable.
“Here you go.” She opens the door and steps inside.
Jaw clenched, I grab the handle of my suitcase and march into the house.
Once inside, I spin, blocking her from stepping any further into the house, and hold out my hand. “Thank you so much for your help. I really appreciate it.”
Her gaze goes to my palm.
“The keys. Please.”
Her lip curls in a sneer. “Dom gave them to me—”
“Then he can give them back once he returns from Vegas,” I say with a polite smile. “But for now, I need them.”
Gritting her teeth, she tosses them into my outstretched hand.
“Thank you.” As I stuff them into my pocket, I glance at the open door. “It was nice to meet you, Remi.”
She walks out of the house with her shoulders pulled back, but on the porch, she turns to me. “I hope your stupid crush on Dominic is over.”
I blink. “I don’t have—”
“Please. Don’t give me that bullshit. Anyone with eyes knew you were head over heels in love with him.”
I let out a sharp laugh. “It’s entertaining, you know?” I give her a fake smile. “How you think you know me, considering this is the first time we’ve ever spoken to each other. But you’re wrong. Dominic is Matt’s best friend and my stepbrother, nothing more.”
“Good.” She sneers. “Because he’s mine.”
I grasp the door handle and nod once. “My condolences.”
With that, I close the door in her stunned face.
Fuck. The audacity of some people.