4. Marley
MARLEY
FLASHBACK
I drop the empty coffee can and move to the next one, my heart pounding because I can already tell by how light it is there’s nothing there before I even pry the lid off. I swallow the knot growing in my throat before checking the last one and accepting the truth.
Pushing off the counter, I storm to the last bedroom and slam the door open, my hand stinging from the force. The slumped figure in bed jerks awake, blinking up at me in a daze.
“M-Marley?”
I cross my arms, staring down in disgust at her unwashed hair and dirty, days-old clothes. “Tell me you didn’t take the money from the coffee cans.”
My mom’s eyes blink a little clearer, and she starts to sit up more. “I-I don’t know.”
I shake my head. “Oh? So someone came in, knew exactly where that money was, and left everything else in the house?”
“Marley, p-please.” The soft whine of her voice grates on my nerves, and she reaches toward me. “I needed it.”
Groaning, I rub my hands through my hair and push back the threatening tears. “We needed that money, Mom. Coop and I. We need to get gas and food for the week. What am I supposed to do now? The diner doesn’t pay me for another week. What the fuck?”
Her tongue licks at her chapped lips. “It’s fine. We’ll make do. You two can walk, and the diner always gives leftovers?—”
I lean toward her, sneering. “Or you could have kept your filthy fingers off my money while I take care of your child. I’m the one who works, not you. That wasn’t your money.”
She straightens her shoulders. “I’m your mother. Don’t speak to me like that.”
A laugh tears out of me. “Some mother you are.”
“Marley?” My heart stutters at Cooper’s small voice and the tiny crack in it. He’s nearly twelve and about to hit puberty. The small boy I raised is already shaping up to be a strong alpha, and I don’t know what to do about it.
I push away from the bed, and head to him with a smile. “Hey. You ready? We’re gonna drop by Jax’s for breakfast, okay?”
He looks over my shoulder at our mother, who is crumpled back on the bed, and nods. “Do you think Jax’s mom can help me with my math?”
Emotion scrapes my throat again, a twisted ball of shame and disappointment. I stroke his hair. “I can help you.”
His nose wrinkles. “Last time you helped me, the teacher said the answers were wrong.”
Great. I roll my eyes. “Fine. We can ask Jax’s mom. Go grab your backpack and let’s go.”
Cooper runs back to his room, and I give my mother one more look with a shake of my head and scoff. It doesn’t surprise me that she’d do that, but it still hurts nonetheless. What kind of mother doesn’t put us first? No matter how many times it happens, it still stings a bit.
I smile when my brother comes back, backpack on, and I grab my own stuff before leading him down the street. I don’t like to think about what would have happened if I never befriended the beautiful boy a few doors down. There’s no use because I’ll stick around as long as Jax doesn’t get sick of me.
I shove the embarrassment down, knocking on the door. Jax’s mom opens with a soft smile.
“Hey, kiddos. Come in. Are you hungry?”
Tears water in my eyes, and I try to face away from her as Cooper shouts an excited yes.
She pats my head, leaving me to gather myself as she leads Cooper to the kitchen. The next second, arms wrap around my waist, and I’m pulled into a solid chest that smells of sweet spearmint. I hug him tighter, and Jax rests his chin on the top of my head.
“What happened?” His question is laced with concern, but it’s firm enough that I know he won’t let it go if I try to avoid it.
I sigh. “She stole all the money I saved.”
He swears. “I told you to let me keep it.”
My eyebrows dip, and I pull away from him to glare. “So what? I have to come beg for it?”
Jax growls, his hands cupping my face, and I gasp when he rests his forehead against mine. “Marley. You’ll never have to beg me for anything. I just want to take care of you. You are so stubborn.”
His lips press against mine. It’s harsh, but I can feel everything he’s been trying to say. I melt into him because I feel the same way, I’ve just been too afraid to mess up our friendship in case he didn’t.
I never imagined my first kiss would be at sixteen in the living room of my best friend’s house, but everything about it feels right.