Chapter 30

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Finn kept to himself for three days. Only talking to us when he had too. I watched from my seat between Cam and Heather as he silently ate his lunch before leaving the cafeteria. Each time he got up, I wanted to follow him. I wanted us to be okay and to talk this out. The last time I had done something this stupid was when I kissed Jasper.

Heather nudged me, "Are you listening?"

"Sorry." My eyes followed Finn. "I have to go and do something."

"Leave him be, Laine," Cam mumbled around a mouth full of corn dog. I looked at him slightly dumbfounded.Cam usually avoided the drama. He was always a good wingman but the second things took a turn he was gone. "You hurt his ego."

"It isn't the first time," Heather scoffed.

"Exactly. This isn't the first time. The first time can be forgiven, it's understandable and can be looked over. The second time it's harder. That trust becomes blurred. He needs time to clear his head and figure out how much trust he still has in you."

"When did you become so wise?" Cam reached around me to shove at Heather. She let out a laugh. As if that sound summoned him, Joseph sat on the other side of my friend and gave a mock warning look at Cam.

"Hands off what isn't yours," Joseph teased as his arm wrapped around Heather. She leaned into him and grinned wildly. It's annoying and suddenly I understood how she felt when Finn and I started dating.

"Hey, Joe," I whispered, trying to decide if I should even ask. When he looked at me, I knew there was no going back. Before I got the words out, Joseph shook his head and lowered it to rest on Heather's shoulder. I let out a sigh. "I'll see you at practice."

The late fall breeze was harsh as it slapped against my face. Going back on promises seemed to be the theme of the week. The walk from school back home was a short one. Even shorter when I used the alley way two blocks from the north parking lot at school. I discovered it last year when I ditched class.

My feet slowed as I neared Finn's street. Stopping at the end of the alley, I scanned the street for anyone who might be able to catch me. The James' driveway was empty. It shouldn't have been a surprise. Finn wasn't as reckless as I was when it came to truancy. My grip on the strap of my bag tightened as I neared my house.

Too busy watching my feet, I failed to notice the car parked on the street. The key was in the door when a throat cleared behind me. I spun around, ready to throw a punch. Freezing on the porch, I did everything in my power to keep a straight face. The woman standing on the walkway was an aged version of the same one who walked out of our lives six years ago.

Turning back around, I twisted the key and opened the door. I pushed it open, yanked my key free then slammed the door in her face. I stormed through the house and to my room. My door slammed as her voice echoed from the living room. It was just the way I remembered; soft and airy. It was the voice that sang me to sleep during storms.

"Sweetheart," she spoke from the other side of my door. I yanked the door open and was greeted by a weak smile. "Shouldn't you be in school?"

"Shouldn't you be anywhere but here?" I watched her flinch at the sharp bite of words. A strangled scoff left my lips as I pushed past her. She followed me, leaving just enough space between us I could forget she was there. Too bad I couldn't. Grabbing a bottle of water from the fridge, I slammed the door shut. "Look. Whatever twisted tale you're about to share, you can save it. I've had a crappy week and really don't need your shit added to it."

"What happened?" I shook my head. Annoyance bubbled up in me from her ability to easily fall into the motherly role. She had been gone for years. No phone calls or letters to let us know that she still thought about us.

"How far back should I go? Do you want to hear about this week? Maybe the last year. What if we go back and start at the beginning? Let's talk about how I came home expecting to be hugged by my mother, not find a take care note." This time she didn't flinch. Her head was held high as she took the verbal lashing.

"Damn it, Lainey," another voice filled our house as the front door opened again. "You swore no more skipping school."

My mother's gaze followed mine to my brother. He was pale. Paler then when he realized what had happened to Noah. His jaw my tight as his eyes narrowed on the woman. She forced another smile as she stepped closer to my brother. Thankfully, he wasn't completely stunned as he took two retreating steps. She stopped and nodded in understanding.

"Your sister was about to tell me what I've missed."

"You missed nothing," Lucas growled as his eyes slowly shifted to me. "Come on, Laine. We've got practice."

"Practice," my mother's question hung in the air as she looked between us.

"Yeah." My brother was being short on purpose. He wanted nothing more than to be out of the house. I took my place beside him before leading us away from our mother. Once we were safely in his truck, Lucas began the lecture. A line of questioning that didn't require answers. There was one question that he asked that hung between us. "What is she doing here?"

"I have no idea," I whispered. "She just showed up. I didn't even notice her until she made sure I did."

"Do you think Dad knows?"

"Probably not," I sighed. "Do you think she's staying?"

"If she is, we're moving into Shane's."

"Total upgrade."

"Be grateful for what you've got brat."

**~~**

Joseph had thrown Heather over his shoulder and was stalking toward the parking lot. She squealed and smacked his back. I waited for Finn near the locker room doors. After today, and the three days of ignoring me, I was tired of giving him his precious space. I watched as my best friend kissed her boyfriend.

The door screeched as the rusted metal scraped against the concrete. Finn's eyes glanced over me before he turned his back to me. My finger hooked in his belt loop and tugged him to a stop. He didn't fight me, but didn't acknowledge me either.

"Please," I begged softly. "I can't handle this cold shoulder thing you're doing."

"And I can't handle any more back stabbing." He spun on his heel, breaking my hold. "I think I'm running out of room for you to stick your knives."

"Finn," I hissed. He threw up his hands as he backed away from me. I stormed toward him and stumbled back as he came toward me.

"What do you want me to say?"

"Clearly, you don't want to say anything."

"You're damn right about that."

"Then just end it, because I'm tired of this and so are you."

"Don't say shit you don't mean." It was there. A little flicker in his eyes that told me he was calling my bluff. I shook my head and brushed past him. "So your mom did teach you something after all."

My fists clenched so tightly that my nails were leaving indentations in my palms. The eyes of our friends at the other end of the path glued us. Lucas was ready to step in, but didn't make it in time. The clicking of cleats as Finn stepped closer put him right behind me. Stepping with my left, my body twisted and my fist collided with his jaw.

His body doubled over after he recoiled from the punch. A hand cupped his chin as his eyes finally met mine. A strong hand grabbed my arm and pulled me back. Lucas was whispering something under his breath that was meant for me to hear, but I couldn't. The surprise mixing with those green eyes sent a new wave of rage and sadness ran through me.

"How about you focus less on my family, and more on your own."

"Blaine," Lucas growled as he yanked me toward him. "Get in the truck. Now."

With the help of my brother's forced guidance, I made my way to his truck. We passed by Heather, Joseph and Shane. That rage I was feeling was quickly replaced by shame. The sadness doubled as I pulled myself into the passenger seat. I tried to avoid the gawking stares from beyond the windshield.

Shane was shaking his head as he walked away from the school. Heather pulled on Joseph's hand, begging him to take a side. Lucas took her hand and leaned down to whisper in her ear. Her head dropped as she nodded. Her eyes drifted to me before she made her way to her own car. My brother patted Joseph's shoulder before turning back to me and the truck.

The school was behind us when I finally curled up in the passenger seat. I didn't look back when we pulled out of the lot. If Finn was going to be an ass, then fine. That's his choice, but I wasn't going to be his punching bag. Lucas turned onto our street and I felt the truck slow. My eyes followed his hardened stare. The stupid Volvo was parked right where she had left it.

"Get in, pack a bag and meet me back in the truck."

"We can't ignore her," I mumbled. It was the last thing I wanted to say. Judging by his sudden swivel of his head, he hadn't expected me to say it. Looking back at the road, he eased his truck into the driveway.

"Get what you need, Blaine. Until Dad's back, we aren't dealing with her. It's not our responsibility to clean up their mess." His truck jerked as he used more force then needed to shift it into park. "Now, are you going to listen to me or not? Because I'm grabbing enough for a week and going to Shane's."

"I'm coming," I sighed before sliding out of the truck. Lucas lead the way into our house and to the hall. Our mother was sitting at the dining room table. I could feel her watching us. Daring to peek at her, she looked ready to say something but stopped as we disappeared deeper into the hall.

Staring into my duffle, everything unraveled. A burning in my eyes begged me to cry. To let loose the flood that was building up. I shook my head and bit back the need. A subtle tapping on my door and I glanced over my shoulder before zipping up my bag. Nodding to my brother, I slung the strap over my head and snatched my school bag from the floor.

"How was practice," she chirped as we passed through again. My brother mumbled an answer as I followed at his side. "Where you going?"

"Out," Lucas growled as he opened the front door for me. The glare he gave her sent a shiver through me. It was pure hatred. Years of pent up aggression had been used on the field. Now it was filling the void of our home. I grabbed at the sleeve of his shirt and pulled him out the door.

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