And his mom, but I don’t mention that part. When I closed up, Max swung by last night, and I had no choice but to tell him about Shane and his bike because I hadn’t quite finished everything with the cars I had on my watch. The first two, I had, but three more had been dropped off too.
“And I don’t want Max to have to go after you or to go to collections or whatever,” I mumble. “Max is hurting for money—”
“I’m sure Max is really hurting.” Shane rolls his eyes. “He doesn’t know the first thing about hurting.”
I wince. “If I had the money, I would—”
“I don’t need your fucking help,” he snaps. “Here.” He yanks out his wallet, removes a wad of cash, and shoves it down my shirt into my bra as if I’m a stripper. Of course, he then treats me like one, asking me to flash him.
Another guy cuts in, saying that he got to see my chest because of that day in the cafeteria, and I sit down at my desk, fuming, barely able to concentrate. As soon as school is out, I rush to my locker and count the money. It’s almost the full amount. Maybe Max will be fine with it. If not, Max can deal with Shane. I’m done. So fucking done.
* * *
Because of the money, I head to the auto shop after school even though I’m not scheduled to work. I had him the money from Shane.
“Why is it wet?” he complains.
“Boob sweat.”
Max crinkles his nose. “You did not—”
“Shane shoved it into my bra. I don’t normally keep money there, no.”
“Shane the one giving you a hard time at school?”
“Not just one guy,” I mumble. “Uh… I hate to ask, but when will I get paid? Every two weeks, once a month…”
“Every two weeks, sure. Hasn’t been quite two weeks, yet, has it? Shit, I can’t remember.”
He waves for me to follow him to the back, and he pays me. It’s what we agreed to before. I’ll probably have to put upfront two months, maybe even three months’ worth of rent to get a place. I should be able to find a bottom of the barrel place and be able to move in about a month or so. I won’t have much at all left over for food, but maybe I can get another part-time job for the days I don’t work at the auto shop.
I'm just so sick of sleeping outside. I'm beyond ready to live in a real place again. My life feels like some kind of fucked-up fairy tale, and I need to have an apartment. Maybe then I'll feel like I can actually hack all of this. Maybe.
Maybe not.
* * *
Sunday night, I’m really restless. It takes me forever to fall asleep, and when I do wake up in the morning, I’ve overslept. I forgot to charge my phone at the auto shop last night, and it died as I slept. When I get to school, there’s no time for me to shower, and it’s just before the morning bell rings. At least I won’t be late to homeroom if I run, but wouldn’t you know it? The Mutineers are all lounging by the front door. I’ll just head to the side entrance—
“Well, look who’s here,” Brett calls. “If it isn’t the girl we’ve all been dying to see.”
My gaze shifts to Corey. He definitely winced at Brett’s word choice. God, can Brett be more of a dick? Why does Corey put up with that?
Probably because it’s easier to have friends, even asshole friends, when it feels like your world is crumbling apart. I think having cancer and having to deal with that has to be so very hard for him, for his entire family. What kind of cancer? Does she have a fighting chance? Is she receiving treatment? Is that why he came to see her? She doesn’t live at the hospital, does she?
All questions that I can’t possibly ask Corey because I doubt he would appreciate my knowing. Shane shouldn’t have told me, not without permission.
Why had Shane told me? Just to get me off his back? Did he really think that was a good idea? Maybe he hadn’t been thinking at all.
“Why do you want to see me?” I ask with a sigh. “Can we talk about this later? I don’t want to be late—”
“Yes, yes, the scholarship girl doesn’t want to risk losing her free money to attend here,” Brett mocks.
“Not all of us have silver spoons shoved up our asses,” I snap. “Do you want to bend over so I can remove yours? Or do you like it shoved up there because it rubs against your prostate?”
Tyler begins to cough, and Brett glowers at him.
Corey stares at me, and I swear, the look in his eyes…