My spine straightens. Unless my sister needs something from me, she never cares to ask about Cami.
“What do you want?”
She huffs. “Do most people need a reason to call their baby sister?”
“People? No. You? Absolutely.” Antonella usually calls for two things: money or housing—neither of which I can provide her with anymore. I made that mistake right after Mom died, and the result nearly broke Cami’s heart. Although my little superstar didn’t know Anto was her mom, she grew attached to my sister hanging around, only to be broken-hearted when she disappeared.
It was my fault for being stupid and hopeful.
Not anymore though.
“I didn’t like how we left things last time,” she says like it hasn’t been over two years since we have talked.
“It’s been two years already and you decide to callnow?” My hand clutching on to the phone tightens.
“I’m in a bit of a pinch and I was hoping you could help me out.”
“No.”
“But—”
“I’m not helping you anymore.” Pure intentions haven’t worked for me in the past, so maybe a little tough love will work better. And even if I wanted to help my sister, I can’t. Between paying off my mom’s medical bills, supporting Cami, and then saving Antonella from herself, I’m out of funds.
“But I’m sober for real this time. All thanks to you.”
More like thanks to the cash you stole from my safe.
I shut my eyes. “That’s good.”
Assuming she is even telling the truth, the skeptical voice in my head says. I learned a long time ago not to trust my sister. It only took a hundred different disappointments to get there.
“Does that mean you’ll let me crash at your place?”
“No, but I’m happy for you.”
She makes an indiscernible noise. “Come on, Alana. Just give me a couple of weeks to get things sorted out. I’m struggling to pay my rent and bills since Trent moved out. He covered his half until the end of June to give me some time, but after that, I’m all on my own.”
I’m not sure who Trent is or what his connection is to my sister, but at least he paid his part of the rent. I can’t say the same about most of the men my sister has hung around with.
She keeps going. “I can’t stay here past June, and I don’t have anywhere else to go. It’s not like I want to head back to Lake Hysteria, but what other choice do I have? I won’t be there for long. I promise.”
My chest pinches.
Don’t you dare fall for her usual shit. Think about Cami.
“I’m sorry, Anto. That’s a sucky situation to be in—”
“But you won’t help me.” Her voice is sharper this time. My sister has always acted the same way, being sweet as flan de coco until she doesn’t get what she wants.
I shake my head. “It’s not fair to Cami.”
“Really? Or is it not fair toyou?”
I suck in a breath. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It’s obvious you’re intimidated that Cami might not want you anymore if I come back around.”
I bite back a bitter laugh. “I’m not intimidated by you. Nothing you can do or say will change the fact that I’m her mother.” Anto made sure of that the day she signed away her parental rights and made me a mother of a premature baby who was saved from neonatal abstinence syndrome due to her preterm birth.