“How’d the cops find out?” Jake asks after a few silent seconds.
“Who knows. It was going to happen sooner or later. Since Cooper was born. It’s just been a disaster.”
“I’m so sorry I haven’t been there.”
“None of this is your fault. You’ve been starting your life. As you should have been. They treated you like shit for years, I never expected you to hang around and play happy families once you finally got out.”
“I shouldn’t have just left you there.”
“I’m a big girl, Jake. I can look after myself.”
Something passes across his face but he tucks it away before I get a read on it.
“What?”
“Nothing. It’s nothing.”
I narrow my eyes at him, but he keeps his lips sealed.
Jake and Amalie end up staying almost all day. We all play in the yard with the kids and just try to be as normal as possible.
They excuse themselves when the police turn up, along with Bea, to talk to both me and Auntie Trish.
I’m hardly surprised that the police want to question me, I did openly admit that my parents were both guilty in Hartmann’s office. A story that I’m more than happy to stick to. This might be hell right now with our futures up in the air but life in that house with them wasn’t exactly heaven. I can’t help but wonder if we’re better off without them, whatever might happen to us.
Auntie Trish assures Bea that we have a home here for as long as we need it and she finally leaves happy that we’re all happy and safe with a promise to be back in a few days once there’s more news about our parents.
Apparently, there’s a high chance they’ll be bailed before a trial but we’re not going to be allowed to see them or even have contact with them. No issue for me with that, but I know that Sofia especially doesn’t really understand all of this and is already wondering where her parents are. Austin, however, just seems to be taking everything in his stride.
“Evan is out at his monthly poker game tonight. I wondered if you were interested in a girly night once the kids are in bed?” Auntie Trish asks me after sending Austin and Sofia to run a bath and find their pajamas.
She made them both their favorite dinner, but we have yet to eat.
“We could order whatever you want. Have cocktails, virgin of course, I’m not sure supplying you with alcohol while the social workers are sniffing around is a good idea,” she says with a laugh and a wink. “Watch some chick flicks. Talk…” The way she says talk makes my heart drop. What does she need to tell me?
“Yeah, that sounds great.”
Together we go through the kids’ usual nighttime routine, or at least the one I try to give them before Uncle Evan excuses himself for his night out and gives Auntie Trish a kiss to her temple.
They’re such a sweet couple and so good with the kids that I can’t help wondering once again why they don’t have any of their own.
“So what’s it going to be. Pizza? Chinese? Thai?”
“Chinese,” I say without a second thought. I might have only had some with Zayn two days ago, but I could eat it every night given the chance.
“Okay, here,” she says, passing her cell over with a menu open. “Order whatever you like. I’m just going to change.”
“But… how much…”
“Whatever you want, Poppy. No expense spared.” With a soft smile, she disappears down to her room.
I order all my favorites before placing her cell on the counter and following her lead, replacing my jeans with a pair of sweats and a tank.
“Okay, here you go.” Auntie Trish turns to me with a fancy looking cocktail in her hand when I return. “Margarita sans the good stuff.”
“This looks awesome. You didn’t need to go to all this effort though.”
“Are you kidding. I usually spend poker nights alone watching crap TV. I’m thrilled to have a friend.” She pulls me into her arms and kisses the top of my head.
We get ourselves comfortable on the couch as Auntie Trish pulls up Netflix and starts scrolling.
“Who do you fancy? We’ll binge watch him.”
I admit to my Zac Efron addiction and she immediately pulls up High School Musical.
“Wow, I haven’t watched this in forever.”
“So you like a blast from the past?”
“Anything a little newer with him a little… older?”
“Sure thing.”
She flicks through until we agree on one I haven’t seen before. We’re only about twenty minutes in when the Chinese food arrives and we hit pause.
We lay all the containers out on the coffee table and sit crossed-legged on the floor.
“What’s up, Pops?” Auntie Trish asks when she catches me looking at her.
“I just… I’ve never done this with my mom. It’s nice. Normal.”
“Aw, Poppy.” She gives me a sad smile. “I’m so sorry.”
“It is what it is.” I shrug.
“I always wanted to do more. But it was never my place. Your mom and I, we’ve never got along. When my brother announced they were together, I was less than impressed. Crap, sorry. You probably don’t want to hear this,” she says, chastising herself.
“No, no. Carry on. I’ve lived with them all my life, but I don’t even feel like I know them, if that makes any sense.”
“It does. We’ve all known each other since school. Your dad and your aunt, Kate, were older whereas your mom and I were in the same year.”
“Were they together in school?”
“No, your mom… she had another boyfriend in high school.”
I nod, wondering why she seems to panic at that.
“This is so good,” I say, focusing back down at the food in the hope of breaking the sudden tension.
“Poppy, I really mean it when I say that you can all stay here for as long as you need to. You know that, right?”
“I do. But I don’t expect you to keep us forever. You’ve got your own life to get on with. The second I’m eighteen, I can get custody and get out of your hair.”
“Is that your plan?”
“Yeah, I guess. I refuse to let them go into the system. So I guess it’s down to me.”
“Poppy,” she says on a sigh and I know what’s coming next.
“Do you think it’s going to be that easy?”
“No, not at all.” A sad laugh falls from my lips. “Nothing about any of this is easy. But I’ve been taking care of them for years. I’m more than capable.”
“I know you are. I’m not doubting that. I just think that you need to be thinking about your future as well as theirs.”
“It’s fine. I’ll get a job, find somewhere to live. I’m sure I’ll figure it out.”
“But what about college? What about a boyfriend, parties, and all the things you should be worrying about as you head into your senior year?”
“I don’t feel like I’ve missed out this far.” An image of hiding out with Zayn pops into my head and I remember just how incredible it had felt to have no responsibilities and just be a teenager for one night. I lock it down before I allow it to consume me.