40. Theo
Theo
I slip my hands into my pockets, waiting for her to answer the door.
She looks… tired. Drawn. My mom blinks. “Theo? Why didn’t you use your key?”
Because this isn’t my home anymore. “Did you know?”
For once, she doesn’t pretend not to know what I’m talking about. My mom hesitates. It’s enough of an answer for me to rock back on my heels. “I see.”
“No—,”
My mom shakes her head. Her eyes skate my face and drop as she rubs at her forehead. “ No , Theo. I didn’t know. Of course I didn’t. I… I wouldn’t have let him stay, if I had.”
Slowly, I nod, before I look away. I’m not sure that I believe her. But that's all I’m going to get. “What will they do with him?”
She sucks in a breath. “He’s going to the Center in Charlotte. They asked me if I wanted visitation…,”
Like I thought. Charles Rivers will spend the rest of his days in a small, cramped room, snarling and snapping and rabid.
He would have seen Kenny go through the same without blinking. I don’t have a single ounce of sympathy in me. Not for him.
“And?” I say tightly. “Will you see him?”
My mom swallows. “I think it’s better if we cut ties. For Nia.”
“How is she?”
“Strong.” A ghost of a smile passes over her mouth. “Much stronger than I realized.”
And she’ll be safe, with Charles locked away. “I’ll bring her over for dinner in the week, drop her back after.”
I’m not sure there’s anything else to say. Not right now. I’m turning to leave when she stops me. “How is Kennedy?”
I jerk at the quiet question. “Doing as well as she can be. Why?”
My mom leans against the door. “She came to see me, you know. She asked if I would give you Brett’s college fund, since you spent it on her care. She felt it was unfair.”
My throat constricts. Not because of the money. But because… Kenny . “That sounds like her.”
“I thought about it.” My mom reaches behind her, tugging open a drawer, and holds out an envelope. “I think she might be right, Theo. Take it.”
I stare at the pale cream envelope. I know how much will be on the check. That money would be enough to pay for college. To have some left over, even.
But… I’d have to leave Kenny to do it, unless I studied online. Leave my pack behind. I know that Oscar won’t go, not now. And Jake, Max… we’d be split up. For years, maybe. Our life put on hold for me to fulfil a dream I’m not even sure I want anymore, paid for with tainted money from the brother that nearly broke us beyond repair.
Brett would have taken it without a second thought.
I take a step back and shove my hands back into my pockets. Easiest decision I ever made. “You know what? Thanks. But… I’m good.”
My mom frowns. “What? Take the money, Theo. It’s yours.”
“No, it’s not.” If anything, it should be Kenny who gets it. But I know she won’t touch it. And I’m following my mate’s example. “Keep it for a rainy day. Give it to Nia. Or donate it to a good cause. Feels like a better use for it.”
Turning, I walk away from my mom, heading toward my truck. My phone beeps as I get in, and I flick the message from Jake open.
My mate points down at the game board, everything set up and a bright grin on her face. Her hair is scraped up in the bun that never quite contains all of her hair, some of it tumbling down her back. And—
I zoom in. She’s wearing the black t-shirt I was hunting for this morning while she lay on her stomach across my bed, helpfully suggesting different places to look.
I knew it.
Jake messages again. Kenny says you forfeit if you don’t get home in the next thirty minutes. She ate seven tacos. I think she saved you some, but she’s refusing to tell us where she put them in case Max eats them. And pick up more popcorn.
Whistling, I pull away from the curb, flicking the radio on and winding down the window.
It’s a beautiful day.