Van felt a finger trace her spine. She turned to Tanner, who gave her an innocent stare.
“Stop,” she mouthed.
He winked back at her.
“Let’s hope your pregnancy doesn’t last as long as Regan’s,” Becca said, looking at Maddie’s stomach as though she was trying to discern a bump. “I swear she’s got the gestation period of an elephant. Is she ever going to have that baby?”
“It probably likes it where it is,” Maddie murmured. “It’s quiet and safe, compared to her house. I visited the other day. Her kids are louder than one of Gray’s concerts.”
“How far along are you?” Maddie’s sister, Ashleigh asked. Van had been introduced to her when she arrived at Gray’s house, though she remembered her from the old days. She didn’t look much different, apart from the wrinkles and the fact she wasn’t constantly wearing a cheerleader outfit.
Okay, so that was a bitchy thought. But then again, Ashleigh had never been nice to Van, either.
“Sixteen weeks,” Maddie said, her face glowing.
“So there’ll be a baby in five months?” Becca was almost shaking with excitement. “We have so much to plan. Where do you want your baby shower? What nursery theme are you going to have?” Her eyes lit up. “Have you started a registry yet? It’s never too early.”
“Becca,” Tanner said, his voice deadpan. He put his hand on her shoulder.
“Yeah?” Becca sighed and looked up at him.
“This isn’t your baby. It’s Maddie and Gray’s.”
Becca shook her head. “You’re such a spoilsport. Have you thought about going back to New York?”
“Not really.” He smirked, and his eyes slid to Van’s again. “I like it here too much.”
“Is that why you sneak out of the house every night once we’re all in bed?” Becca asked him.
Tanner shot her a dirty look. So much for sibling support.
“You sneak out of the house?” Gray asked. “Where are you going?”
“Or who is he going to?” Becca said, lifting a brow.
Maddie looked at Van, and she felt her face flush. She knew. Or at least, she’d guessed. Van could tell by the expression on Maddie’s face.
“Why are you so interested in Tanner’s love life?” Logan asked, shaking his head at Becca. “Is it because you don’t have one?”
“I don’t have a love life because I have four brothers,” Becca told them. “Everybody in town is scared of you. It’s so damn annoying.”
“Maybe that’s why they call them the Heartbreak Brothers,” Van said, smiling at her.
“Did they do that to you, too?”
“All the time. Tanner pretty much scared off every guy who asked me out.”
“Isn’t it annoying?” Becca said, crossing her arms over her chest.
“Hey, I didn’t scare off Simon,” Tanner protested, lifting a brow at Becca. “You did that all by yourself.”
“I didn’t scare him off. I broke it off. That’s different.”
“Yeah, well he wasn’t good enough for you anyway.” Tanner blew Becca a kiss.
“You see what I have to deal with?” Becca sighed. “Maybe you can invite a movie star or two to the opening of the drive-in. Preferably one with ripped abs who isn’t scared of a few brothers.”
“When are you planning on opening?” Gray asked Tanner. “Do you have a date?”
“Yeah.” Tanner nodded. “We’re having the opening in three weeks. Saturday July fifth. We figured we may as well cash in on a holiday weekend. You’ll all be getting an invitation from Van very soon.”
“I can’t wait.” Becca smiled at them both. “This is such a good year. With the baby and the drive-in. Plus Cam’s team is looking hot. It’s so good to have you all home.” She tipped her head and lifted a brow at Tanner. “Except for you.”
“I know you love me.”
Van felt a tug at her hand, and she turned to see Zoe standing next to her.
“You okay, kiddo?” she asked.
Zoe nodded, then she leaned closer. “Van?”
“Yeah?”
“Will I be able to come to the opening night at the drive-in?” Her eyes were wide. Hopeful.
Van glanced at Tanner and he nodded imperceptibly. “Of course you can.”
“And can I bring my friends? They’ll be so jealous that you work there. And they’ll love me for inviting them.”
“You can bring whoever you want,” Tanner told her. Then he tipped his head to the side. “Or even better, why don’t you invite them all to the rehearsal? That way we can have a test audience to make sure everything goes as planned.” He glanced at Van. She nodded at him, her eyes bright.
“Would you like that, Zoe?” she asked.
“My own private screening at the drive-in? Before it’s even open?” Zoe broke into a grin. “I love it!” She threw her arms around Tanner’s waist, hugging him tight.
Van watched them with a half-smile. Her chest felt funny to see how happy Zoe was. How easily Tanner had charmed her. It was like they were two pieces of the puzzle that was her life, slotting together easily. Maybe it was time to finally relax.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Van, aged 18
“Mom? You home?” Van glanced over her shoulder at Tanner standing on the porch. “I guess she isn’t,” she said. “Big shocker.”
“You want me to come in with you?” Tanner asked, leaning on the door frame, his head tipped to the side. “Check for boogeymen?”
“I’m pretty sure you’d be more scared of them than I am.” She rolled her eyes. “Thanks for the ride home.”
He brushed his lips against hers, curling his fingers around her neck. “I’ll call you later. And don’t forget that math assignment. It’s due on Monday.”
“I won’t.” She watched as he clambered down the steps to his new car. He’d saved for months for that old Camaro, but even then it wasn’t quite enough. Luckily, Gray had sent him some money for his birthday, enough to make up the shortfall. He started up the engine and it roared into life, spluttering as he pulled away. He honked the horn, and it made her jump. Van shook her head and walked inside to her bedroom.
Opening her closet, she knelt down, reaching out to pull out the old shoebox she’d stashed at the back. Pulling the lid off, she looked at the rolls of bills she’d put inside. Her wages from the drive-in. She didn’t have to count them to know exactly how much there was. Two thousand, three hundred and sixty five dollars. Taking her latest envelope from the back of her jeans, she sorted through the bills, then added them to the appropriate rolls, fastening them with a rubber band.
Two thousand, four hundred and fifteen dollars now. By the end of the summer it should be more than three thousand. Enough for her to pay her rent and to afford food for her first term. Maybe more if she could find a way to make it last.
That money was her ticket out of town. Her chance to be like every other kid around here. Sure, Tanner and their friends would all get help from their parents, but it didn’t matter. She didn’t need her mom’s help, she could do this by herself.