“Yes.” Just because I have a high tolerancewhiledrinking doesn’t mean I’m immune to feeling the next-day effects. I’ve just gotten better at managing them.
And disguising them.
“Oh. Wait! I know what will work! Stay right there, Cow-l.”
“It’s Cal. JustCal,” I emphasize.
“Okay, Cal.” But it comes out more likecow. Maybe she’ll get it eventually, but today isn’t that day.
Cami runs out of the room, leaving my door wide open. Her bare feet slap against the wood floor as she rushes down the hall.
I’m tempted to leave just so I can avoid having another conversation with the kid. With the way my head throbs, it might be for the best.
Or you could just play nice and entertain Lana’s daughter after everything that happened last night.
Earning a point or two with Lana wouldn’t be the worst thing. As much as I’m not a kid person, I’m willing to pretend for a little while if it makes Cami happy, which in turn will make Lana happy.
So, against every cell in my body telling me to run far away from the kid, I stay in my room, waiting for the little wrecking ball to come back with whatever she thinks will make me better. Hopefully it’s a bottle of Advil and a glass of water.
A knock on my door has my head whipping in the direction of the sound. The rapid pace of my heart makes my ears pound.
Lana leans against the doorframe. “Do you have a minute?”
I swallow past the thick lump in my throat. “Sure.”
She steps inside my room and shuts the door behind her. With the way she stares at me, empty and unflinching, my stomach feels about ready to purge itself of last night’s bar food.
“Last night can’t ever happen again.”
My head drops. “No. It really shouldn’t.”
“I went ahead and took the key back.”
My fists tighten around the comforter. “I understand.”
“I don’t see how that’s even possible.” Her tone is sharper than a blade.
I ignore the churning sensation in my abdomen and focus on her. “About the vase…”
“What about it?” The question comes out icy.
“I plan on getting you a new one today.”
“Do you really think buying your way out of this will make up for you shattering my mom’s vase?”
I blink. “Your mom’s?”
Of all the things to break, it had to be something that belonged to her mother…
She releases a shuddery breath. “I knew it was a mistake agreeing to have you live here. I should have just taken my chances with the lawyers and left it up to a judge. I thought maybe you would have some common sense and be on your best behavior, but obviously I was asking for too much. What were you even doing coming inside the house that late?”
I fidget with my hair. “I wasn’t exactly thinking straight.”
“I should have never given you a key.”
“Lana—”
“No. You don’t get toLaname and expect all this to go away.”