I find that I don’t like the idea of waiting, but I’m going to be busy with my other classes. “We can try tomorrow, but my other classes are going to keep me busy.”
“If you have time, let me know.” Malia gives me what looks like a forced smile and shoves the papers into her bag. “Can’t wait to see what you come up with.”
“Do you need any help with your family drama? Is it your brother again?”
“My other brother.”
“Is he into drugs too?”
“No. He has autism. I’ll see you in class Monday.”
I start to say something, but she’s already gone. My breath hitches as I try to make sense of her. She’s a whirlwind and a mystery. And I’d really like to discover what makes her tick.
Chapter Six
Malia
My mother’s heels clack on the restaurant’s floor as she leads me back to the office and closes the door behind us. “Why did you come here instead of going home?”
“Because this is where you are. You texted me.”
“And I told you that Belen’s having another meltdown! At home.”
“I’m sure Dad is able to handle his own son, Mother.”
Her perfectly shaped brows draw together. “You know you’re the only one he listens to.”
“And you know that isn’t true.” I cross my arms. “It’s just easier to hand him over to me. What are you going to do when I move out and start my own life?”
“What are you talking about? You’re going to stay here, helping us with the restaurant.”
Anger pulsates through me. “Is that what you call me working here? As a waitress? Seriously? I’ve been working here since I was sixteen, and you’ve yet to advance me.”
She flips her salon-blonde hair behind her shoulder. “You’re going there again, Malia? You have no credentials. No business classes to move up to manager. No cooking classes to work in the kitchen. Waitress, it is. Why am I going over this again? Especially when Belen is melting down at home?”
I take a deep breath and calculate my response. “Have you heard of a thing called experience? I have it! At the very least, I should be managing the wait staff. None of them have the experience I do. I’ve been watching everything around here since the day I was born.”
“This isn’t up for debate. If you want to move up, stop taking the ridiculous psychology courses! How will that help you take over the business some day?”
“Who said I want to?” I put my hands on my hips.
Her mouth drops open. “What did you just say?”
“You heard me, Mother.”
“How dare you?”
“How dare me? What about you? Nobody ever asked what I want from my life. You and Dad just bark orders and tell me what to do.”
“We’re your parents. That’s our job.”
“Maybe you haven’t noticed, but I’m an adult in my twenties. I’m perfectly capable of making decisions for myself. Legally, I don’t have to do a thing you say.”
“You’re employed under us, so yes, you do. Now, go calm your brother.”
I stare at her, seething and resisting the temptation to strike her. She wouldn’t do anything if I did. If she pressed charges, it would make the family look bad, and all they care about is appearances. That’s why Holden has never gone to an inpatient facility under his own name. What a shame it would be if anyone knew our family wasn’t perfect.
My mother sits and unlocks a drawer in the desk. “You can go now. And tell Dad to come here. We’re down a chef tonight, and I don’t feel like cooking.”
“What are you going to do if I get a degree in something other than cooking or business?”
“That’s your problem, not mine. I hope you enjoy waitressing because that’s as far as you’ll ever go as long as we run this place.”
I glower at her. “That isn’t what I was asking, and you know it.”
“Don’t expect to work anywhere else in this town. That’ll never happen.”
“Is that a threat?” My heart hammers as realization washes over me. She and Dad would use their clout in this community to keep me from finding employment anywhere.
“It’s a fact, Malia. Get home and talk your brother out from his meltdown. And don’t forget to send your dad here to cover for Emilio.”
I leave the office without a word. It’s so tempting to go back to school and let her deal with the missing chef while Dad takes care of Belen. But the problem with that is I am the one who has the easiest time getting him out of his meltdowns. For whatever reason, he takes to me. Always has. But the problem with that is my parents have used our connection as an excuse to not even try with him. And why bother? It’s easier just to get Malia to deal with him.
Sighing, I lean against the door. Pain squeezes my temples, presses down toward the base of my neck and into my eye sockets. I’m sure my mother would be proud to know she has such an effect on me.
Lola, the head waitress, races over to me. “Are you working tonight?”
“Nope. My mother has me taking care of something at home.”
She throws me a questioning glance before knocking on the office door.
I make my escape before I have to deal with my mother again. I’ve already had enough to last me days. I manage to avoid talking with anyone else as I race to the employee parking lot and get into my bright red Mercedes. It hadn’t been my choice, but rather something my parents could brag to their friends about. I’d have gone with something far less extravagant.
Just as I remote-unlock it, someone calls my name.
Holden. He’s grasping his stomach and limping in my direction.
“What did you do now?”
He hobbles over. His face is bruised and swollen. “I ran into some guys I owe money.”
I draw in a deep breath. “And they beat you?”
“Yeah.”
“Why didn’t you ask Mom or Dad for money?”
“They’ve already loaned me my allowance three months out. Dad said no more.”
I hold back an eye roll. “If you’d clean yourself up, you could work.” I nod toward the restaurant. “Then you’d get wages and allowance.”
“Don’t lecture me.” Holden scowls. “I get enough of that from them.”
“What do you want, then? I have to go deal with Belen.”
“Isn’t Dad home?” Holden rubs a bruise near his eye.
I give him a knowing look. “Did you hear me say Belen is freaking out again? I don’t have the time to deal with my other brother.”
He mutters an explicative.
“I’m choosing to ignore that. Mom’s in the office. Get help from her.”
“No way! She’ll send me back to rehab. I’m not going back there.”
We stare each other down.
My phone buzzes. A text from Mom telling me to go home.
I glare at one of the security cameras before turning back to my idiot brother. “I’m going home. Mom already knows you’re here.” I show him the text.
“Just let me borrow some money.”
“Why? I’ll never get it back.”
Holden’s nostrils flare. “Next time, they won’t let me walk away.”
I step closer to him and narrow my eyes. “Go bus tables. Earn your money!”
“You really won’t give me anything?”
“No. I’ll never see it again. I have to go.”
“Wait!”
I stare at him.
“Drive me to campus. I know a guy who owes me money. It’s not enough, but it might get those guys off my back until I can get the rest.”
“What about your car?”
“It’s in the shop, remember?”
I fold my arms. “Right. You crashed it. Again.”
“It wasn’t my fault.”
“It never is.”
“Will you drive me?” He pleads with his eyes. “It won’t be that far out of your way. And it isn’t like Belen will notice if you’re gone a little longer.”
/>
I glance at the time on my phone. “This is the last favor you’re getting until you’re able to return some of it. I’m tired of giving without getting anything in return.”
And I’m even worse at implementing boundaries. But anyone would with my family. Even the experts who wrote the books on the topic.
“Well? Do I have to beg?”
I really should help Belen. He’s the one who can’t help himself, doesn’t have the mental capabilities of understanding or dealing with his emotions. Holden, on the other hand, just makes one bad decision after another.
He lowers himself to his knees. “Please, Malia!”
“This is embarrassing! Get up!”
“Malia, I’m begging you! Just drive me to campus. That’s all I need. I’m not asking for money! Just a few minutes of your time before you help Belen. Please.”
I swear those are tears shining in his eyes.
Guilt stings. “Fine, but like I said, this is the last—”
He leaps up and squeezes me. “Thank you! I’ll never forget this!”
Never means he won’t remember it by morning. My brother is nothing if not predictable. “Just get in.” I finagle my way out of his hold and get into the driver’s seat.
He stumbles around to the other side. The moment he gets inside, he reaches for my glove box.
“It’s locked.” I start the engine. “And besides, I don’t keep money there. Not anymore.”
Holden pulls his hand away. “I only stole from you that one time.”
“And that’s all it takes to lose someone’s trust.”
“We’re family. We’re supposed to take care of each other.”
“Then don’t steal from me.” I pull out of the lot into traffic. “And when was the last time you did anything for me?”
“I … well … There was that one time in middle school when you needed—”
“If you have to go all the way back to then, you clearly don’t do enough for me. I’m seriously tired of your selfishness.”
“And I’m tired of your lectures!”
I turn and glare at him before looking back at the road. “You want to get out and walk the rest of the way? I could even drop you off with those guys who just beat the crap out of you.”
“You wouldn’t!”
“Try me. I’m drawing a boundary line. After this, you have to suffer your own consequences. You’ll never learn if we keep bailing you out of everything.”
He mutters something.
I turn up the music.
“I hate that song.”
I put it louder.
“You have terrible taste in music!”
“At least I have taste.”
He throws more insults at me for the rest of the drive, but I ignore him. I can’t wait to be done doing favors for him that will never be paid back. He’s an adult, he should have to act like one. But Mom and Dad will make sure he never has to suffer a consequence. And I’ll definitely never hear the end of drawing a boundary, but I really don’t care. It’s high time someone watches out for me, even if it has to be me.
When we reach the edge of campus, I pull off the side of the road. “Here you are.”
“Here?” Holden looks at me like I’ve lost my mind.
“You wanted to come to campus. You’re welcome.”
“But he’s at the library. That’s a long ways away. I can’t believe you’re doing this. Just trying to make a point, are you?”
“Belen needs me. You can walk off your bad attitude.”
“Did you notice my limp?”
“You seem to be getting around just fine with it.”
“Family is supposed to take care of each other! And you’re the most selfish person alive! It would take you, what, two minutes to drive to the library? It’ll take me thirty minutes to gimp over. You should be ashamed of yourself.”
“Oh, stop trying to sound like Mom. You need to look in the mirror.”
“Two minutes to drive!”
“Get out!”
He crosses his arms and looks out the front window.
“I can call campus security and have them remove you.”
Holden glares at me. “Have you seen those weasels? I could take them on even in the shape I’m in now.”
“Great. Do that.” I pull out my phone.
“You’re seriously calling campus security?”
I just nod as I scroll through my contacts list.
“You’re bluffing. You don’t have their number on your phone.”
“No?” I hold the screen out toward him and show him.
He grabs the device and stuffs it under his shirt.
“Hey! Give that back!”
“Not until you drive me to the library. And I should mention that I’m super sweaty. It’s getting all over your phone.”
“What are you, ten years old?”
“Library. I’m getting sweatier by the minute.”
“Fine. But like I said, this is the last favor you’re getting from me!”
“Whatever. I’ve heard that a thousand times.”
“And this time, I mean it.”
He shakes his head.
I hit the gas as hard as I can.
“You tryin’ to give me whiplash?”
I don’t respond except to slam on the brakes when we get to the library. Then I hold out my hand for him to give me my phone.
He opens the door and steps out with it.
“Hand it over!”
Holden slams the door and limps toward the building.
My blood boils. I cut the engine, get out of the car, and chase him. “Give me my phone!”
People look our way.
My face flames. But that doesn’t stop me from racing toward my brother. Or from lunging toward him.
He throws my phone into a row of prickly bushes. Then he runs around the building like he doesn’t even have a limp. Because he probably doesn’t. I may have driven him, but he’s the one who took me for a ride.
“Nothing to look at here,” I tell the gawkers.
Then I climb into the prickly bushes, scratching my arms. It’s getting dim, so I can’t see my phone. And I don’t have a light to shine either, because I don’t have my phone.
“Malia?” asks a male voice.
I spin around to see Lincoln. Of course he’s here to see me now.
“Is everything okay? Why are you in the pricker bushes?”
There’s only one thing I’m glad about in this situation—it isn’t dark enough for him to see my blushing. “I lost my phone.”
“In here?” He makes his way over, weaving around the prickers.
“It’s a long story. Don’t hurt yourself.”
He shines the light from his phone on the ground. “Where did it go?”
Everything happened so fast. “I think it was over here.”
“But you don’t know for sure?” There’s no accusation or mocking in his tone.
“Not really.”
“Okay. We’ll find it.” He turns off the light then slides his finger around the screen.
My phone rings. It even lights up under one of the bushes just off to my left.
Linc shines his light in the direction. “Found it!”
“Why didn’t I think of that?” I hurry over, scratching myself in the process, and pick it up.
He helps me out of the bushes and onto the sidewalk. “You okay? Looks like you got a little scratched up.”
“I’m fine.” I try to cover the scratches, but there are too many. My brother is definitely not getting anything from me ever again.
“Don’t want to talk about how it got in there?”
I shake my head. “But it gives me an idea for our project, so it’s all good. Thanks for helping me find it.”
“No problem. Just glad I was here to help. How did everything go with your brother?”
Belen. I have to help with his meltdown.
“I haven’t seen my youngest brother yet. Had to deal with
Holden first, and he’s the reason my phone ended up in the bushes.”
“Want me to talk to him?”
“No. I already chewed him out. But speaking of Belen, I need to get home to check on him.”
Linc tilts his head. “Your family’s pretty tight. You guys are always helping each other out.”
More like I’m always helping them. But I keep that thought to myself. “Yeah. Isn’t your family that way?”
He hesitates. “We’re not as close as we used to be.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.”
The overhead light flickers on as it gets darker.
“Thanks again.”
“See you in class.”
At least I have something to look forward to once I get through this night.
Chapter Seven
Lincoln
I unlock my parents’ door as quietly as possible. If I’m lucky, it’s late enough that they’re sleeping and I won’t have to talk with them until morning. Well, afternoon. That’s how long I plan to sleep in. I have some serious catching up to do before I hit my homework.
I push open the door, step inside, and carefully set down my bags. So far, so good.
Light comes from the kitchen, but that doesn’t necessarily mean anything. Mom likes to leave it on to make it look like someone is awake. I don’t know why she worries. Nothing ever happens in this neighborhood.
“Anchor?” calls my mom.
So much for getting in unnoticed.
“No. Lincoln.”
“Linc?” She appears in the hall and her eyes get big. “It’s so good to see you!” My mom may be smaller than me, but she’s mighty. Nearly knocks me over with her embrace. “I’m so glad you came. How’s school going? How are your roommates? Are your classes—?”
“Mom, it’s too late for so many questions. What are you doing up, anyway?”
“Couldn’t sleep. I didn’t realize you were coming home this weekend. I’ll add you to the reservation for tomorrow’s dinner.” She hurries back into the kitchen.
I follow her, trying to remember what I’ve forgotten. It’s not anyone’s birthday. Or is it? Did I miss a reminder?
“It’s so hard to believe Kade has been gone so long.” Mom slides her finger around her screen. “You will be here tomorrow to eat with us, right?”
When You Start to Miss Me: A Romantic Suspense (Wildflower Romance Book 3) Page 4