When she looks at me, I swear my heart pumps a little faster. ‘Plus, you’re really nice, you know. And I’m sorry I didn’t figure that out that in high school.’
She nods her head. ‘I can talk to him. But you need to talk to him with me. Make him realize that you’re doing this because you love him and that you care about him. He needs to hear that from you too.’
My throat goes dry. ‘I’m not too good at that stuff.’
She smiles sweetly. ‘Well, now’s your chance to practice.’
She walks ahead of me. I follow behind, hands in my pockets like a total doofus.
‘Noah,’ Hollie says, and she has his full attention. ‘AJ and I wanted to talk to you before we go.’
‘Oh yeah?’ he asks.
‘We wanted to say that, when we’re gone, and you’re left here with Rita… everything is going to be okay. She’s going to take good care of you. And it might feel weird, or strange, but that’s all right. It will take time for you to adjust. And you’ll miss your mother, of course you will, and that’s all right too. One day she’ll be able to come and visit, and you can show her how grown up you are.’
I swallow nervously. Noah looks like he’s about to bawl his eyes out.
‘AJ?’ she says.
My eyes shift to hers. She’s looking at me, her expression sayingyour turn.
‘Oh, yeah,’ I say, and step forward. ‘I love you, man. We’re doing this because we care about you. So, don’t fuck around, okay? Be good for Aunt Rita.’
I wrap my arms around Noah. He hugs me back and I tighten my grip on him. When I let go, Hollie is wiping away tears.
Before we head, Rita insists on showing Hollie the house, and some of her artwork on the walls. In the hallway, framed portraits line the stairs.
I’m itching to get back on the road, dragging my feet as Rita stops and gives a little background to each painting, except her phone begins to vibrate and she takes another call.
‘Hey, this one looks kinda familiar,’ Noah says, halfway up the staircase, when Rita has excused herself for a second time. ‘Don’t cha think, AJ?’
I note that he tilts his head to one side, grips his chin, then gives me a playful look like he thinks he knows something, jackass little bro that he is.
I climb the stairs. Hollie joins Noah.
I look up. And he wasn’t kidding. It only resembles our high school prom queen, Amber. And by the look on Hollie’s face, she’s thinking the exact same thing.
‘Looks like that girl you were sucking face with in high school,’ Noah says. ‘What was her name again? Your girlfriend.’
For a short moment it feels like something is blocking my throat. ‘Girlfriend?’ I say, though it comes out like a splutter. ‘She was never my girlfriend.’
‘Sure, she was. Amber, that was her name. And it was after graduation. You said she was the kinda girl who ate men for breakfast. You brought her home to meet Mom.’
Hollie’s turned her back. She climbs the stairs and looks at another painting, and I feel lightheaded.
‘That was one time,’ I say, all casual, although it might not necessarily be the whole truth.
‘Man, she was hot,’ Noah says. ‘What was her last name again?’
‘Uh,’ I say.
‘Bradshaw,’ Hollie finishes for me, her eyes fixed on a different painting. ‘Amber Bradshaw.’
‘Amber Bradshaw,’ Noah hums. ‘That’s the one.’
The hallway goes silent. I clear my throat.Why the fuck did Rita insist on showing Hollie her paintings?
‘Yeah, well, it’s not her, because Rita never met Amber Bradshaw.’