“We have a child therapist who will talk to him, if needed,” Deanna informs me.
I just listen, taking everything in. This is new territory for both of us, and I want to be on top of my game.
“Can I talk to you for a moment?”
“If this is concerning the details of Abe’s case, you can’t. I’m sorry, but you aren’t authorized to know.”
I sit back with a huff, tired of being viewed as a child. I only want what’s best for my brother, but I’m shot down at every turn.
“I am all he has. I want to be there for him.”
“I know. You are a great brother to ensure he’s taken care of. Once Andrea arrives, I will talk to her, and we can make sure she’s properly vetted. Then, I will make the arrangements. I have to know that what we do is what’s best for the child, not for you.”
I nod in understanding since she is only doing her job. I squeeze Abe’s hand as Deanna walks out of the room, closing the door behind her. I glance down at my phone, which is buzzing with an incoming message from Brock, and swipe to read it.
Brock: Left to take care of it.
I furrow my brow, not comprehending what it means. Then, it clicks. They are going to shake down my grandparents, and I can’t say I’m mad about it. They have my back and know how I feel about the way Abe and I have been treated. I’m glad that’s one less thing I have to contend with. I don’t want to see my grandparents ever again. I’m not leaving Abe right now, so I’m glad Brock and Bodhi have it under control.
“Hey, little man. How are you doing?” I lean down, catching Abe’s eyes.
“Am I going home with you?”
“Not right now. I’m sorry. I wish I could take you, but I live at school, and they wouldn’t allow that. I have someone coming though. She’s nice.”
“Who is it?” His lip trembles.
I war with myself over telling him who Andrea is.
What if they vet her and she doesn’t check out, and then we are back to him being placed in a stranger’s home? Would I even be able to visit him?
Fuck it. The kid deserves to feel safe.
“Her name is Andrea, and she is a friend of mine.”
Abe sniffles, rubbing a hand under his nose, car still clutched in his fist.
“Is this your favorite car?” I reach out, touching the metal vehicle.
“It was Dad’s car,” Abe says, solemnly looking at it.
My heart breaks even further.
What does he have? Who does he have? I steel my resolve to do everything I can to make a good life for him. I will make a good life for him.
I lean and hug him, pulling him to my chest as I heave a huge breath, calming the emotions raging inside me right now. I hate so many people at the moment, but I can’t act on that, for Abe’s sake.
I have to be strong. For him. For us. For our future.
31
Corbin
An hour later, the door opens, and Deanna walks in. I stand when Andrea steps in behind her, a worried look on her face as she glances between me and Abe.
“Looks like everything is in order,” Deanna says, bending in front of Abe and smiling. “Hey, Abe. My friend Andrea is here.”
“That’s my brother’s friend,” he says, eyeing the lady standing right inside the door.
“So it is. She’s here because you are going to stay with her for a little bit.”
“Will I be able to bring my cars?” he addresses Andrea this time, who moves forward.
“You can bring whatever you want,” she says, smiling.
Abe finally smiles and then looks down at the car he has in his hands.
“Okay,” he says with a nod, jumping down from the chair he was sitting in. “I’m hungry. Can we get some food?”
He looks up at me, and I smile.
“I’ll buy you anything you want,” I tell him, and he grabs my hand again.
After grabbing Burger Shack and then arriving at Andrea’s house, I set Abe down at the table with his food while Andrea turns on the TV for him to watch.
“I’m glad you called me,” Andrea says, coming to stand beside me as we both watch Abe inhale his burger and fries.
“Did Deanna tell you the details of his case? She wouldn’t tell me.”
Andrea pauses a moment, her eyes slowly sliding to mine as I look at her.
“They’ve been checking in on him for a while. There was an investigation that led to him being taken from his home. But all she would tell me is, he might flinch around adults, and his behavior during mealtimes could be odd, which leads me to believe he’s possibly been abused or not fed properly.”
I fight the urge to cry. Right now, I’m so angry with my grandparents, who don’t even deserve to be called that. With our dad and my stepmom, who left us. With myself for missing the signs.
“Thank you for taking him. I can’t tell you how much it means to me. I couldn’t have him go to a stranger’s home.”
“Don’t thank me, Corbin. I would do this a hundred times over.”
She reaches out and squeezes my arm, and I stare at where her hand is on me. Then, I cover it with my own, clenching it for a moment before letting go. A soft smile lights up her face.
“I’m here for you,” she tells me.
I nod, focusing my attention on Abe again. “Just be there for Abe. That would make me happy.” I glance down at my phone, seeing a missed call from Brock.
Shit. They are my ride back to school.
What if they left without me?
“You okay?” Andrea asks.
I look up at her. “Yeah, just need to find a way back to school.”
“You can take one of my cars,” she says.
Even though I’m standing in her huge-ass house, it didn’t dawn on me to ask her. I finally stop to look around and take in my surroundings, thinking of the way she lives and the way my life has changed in such a short time.
“Or you can stay here for the night. I have plenty of room.”
I look at Abe again, wanting so much to do that. But I know what else I have to do.
“I have something at school to see to,” I say. “I’ll go once Abe is asleep.”
Andrea looks at me, her eyes searching my face before smiling. “Does it involve a girl?”
I rake a hand down my face and then move it to the back of my neck, squeezing as I avoid her gaze.
“Don’t worry; your secret is safe with me. Are you hungry, thirsty?” She moves around the island, pulling waters from the fridge and handing me one.
I open it, taking a drink and then wiping my mouth. It’s dark outside now. The time for the ball to start is fast approaching, and I’ve decided that I’m going to go. I’m going to make up with Landry because life is too short to avoid her and let her stay mad at me. We belong together, and I want her. I need her, and she’s going to be mine.
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Peter.
I forgot to let her know that he isn’t going to take her. I pull my phone from my pocket, hitting her name to call, and walk a few steps away. It goes to voice mail after two rings, and I grunt in frustration. I hit Call again, but the same thing happens. I pull up my messages and type in her name.