“You could say that.”
She smiles, sympathetic. Bailey has witnessed many of the fights I have had with my mom.
“I hope Jim will give me some more hours at the store. I’m going to need them. I just gave up my car, my phone, and my allowance.”
“Holy shit! Are you insane? Conleigh, you need your car.”
“No. Bailey, I’m sick of her thinking she can control me with their money. I can make it on my own. I already moved in with Ezra. I don’t have to worry about rent or anything. If I drop out of school, I can work another job. I have the money my grandparents left me, I could use it for a down payment on a car.” I shrug as she drives.
“Drop out of school? No, sweets. No way. You need to finish school.”
“I don’t want anything they have paid for. I can re-enroll next year and apply for financial aid.”
“It’s your life,” she says.
“It is, isn’t it?” I grin and turn up the radio.
I can do this.
I don’t need them or their money.
My dad would be proud of me for standing up for myself and doing what I feel is right.
When Bailey drops me off at Ezra’s, him and Holden are just getting in, and I feel pissed all over again. He told me he didn’t want to go with me to my mom’s because he was too tired from his trip.
If he wanted to go out with Holden he could’ve simply said so. I wouldn’t have gotten angry had he been honest.
Bailey takes off after mumbling how Holden is the biggest prick in the world.
They had a short run of bad dates. Nothing serious. Bailey said she never slept with him. But she still refuses to be around him.
I follow the drunken pair inside and debate whether or not to tell Ezra about my fight with my mom.
Ezra is in the bathroom and Holden is stretched out on the couch smirking with his hand in his pants. He’s such a pig. “Wanna give me a hand?”
“Not on your life.” I shake my head. Holden is being too bold tonight. He has always teased me. Bailey thinks he has the hots for me. He only likes giving me a hard time is all. He’s always loved to make me squirm, nothing more.
I give up on any attempt to hold a conversation with him and go into mine and Ezra’s bedroom to wait for him. Stripping my sweater and skirt off, I toss on one of Ezra’s old hockey t-shirts. He used to play in high school, but he injured his knee and had to give it up.
I get into bed without brushing my teeth. I know I should go brush them, but I really only want to go to bed at this point.
Finally, when I am about nearly ready to pass out, my boyfriend emerges and flops down on the bed with a heavy sigh. “Why was Bailey dropping you off? Did you two have a girl’s night?” He props himself up on one elbow, still wearing his stinky bar clothes.
Rolling onto my side, I face him. He smiles at me and I can’t stay mad at him for ditching me for a night out with Holden. They don’t hang out like they used to. You’d think I would want Ezra to make new friends, but with Holden I know what to expect.
“Well, I was going to wait to tell you, but I kind of gave my car back to Ronald and mom. Along with my bank card and my phone. I don’t have my keys, so I will need a new one made for the apartment.”
Ezra pops up. “You did what? I must have drunk more than I thought, because you couldn’t have just told me that you gave up everything. Why, Conleigh? Why would you do that? I just got my foot in the door with my old man.”
“This has nothing to do with you and everything to with the control they have had over me—my life.”
“Your choices affect me!” He jumps up off the bed and begins walking the length of the room. “You should have talked to me about it. Are they still paying for your tuition?”
Biting my nail, I go up on my knees as he stands in front of me. I shake my head.
“Jesus!” He shouts and returns to pacing.
“I don’t need their money, Ezra. I can take care of myself. I thought I would take a semester off and get a second job. I will get financial aid.”