Page 8 of Thorn Kiss
Now what?
Normally, I’d be getting in my truck and making my way to my auto shop. Whynot was a small town, so there wasn’t usually a lot of work, but there was enough to keep me booked and busy. Oftentimes, I just kept a running list of who was going to be in need of an oil change soon so I could send them a reminder. Easier to make sure no one’s engine blew out than deal with having to deliver an expensive bill. Most people couldn’t afford shit like that out here.
I shut the little door and planted my hands on my hips. It was officially September, and everything was still bleached from the summer sun. There was no such thing as fall here, although it’d dipped down into the 60s and 70s some mornings before hitting the high 80s, and that was a relief. Just awhisperof spooky season, a hint that had me craving a pumpkin spice latte while wearing shorts and flip flops.
I wasn’t used to having the day off like this. The directive was to relax for four days and set a good example for my older brother, so my sister and I could bully him into taking time off.
Austin was the textbook definition of bothburnt outandstubborn. It was annoying. I loved the guy but sometimes I wanted to kidnap him, drive him to a spa in the middle of nowhere, steal his laptop and keys, and leave him for a week.
Although knowing him, Austin would rather walk through the desert in high summer trying to get back to work than spend time in a hot tub relaxing.
We all had our baggage, though. Avery and our mom had their issues, although the two of them had worked on it some over the last year. Mom was in therapy, which was good for everyone.
Austin was a workaholic because he didn’t want to confront the grief of losing our father and all of the expectations that fell on him as the oldest.
Then there was me.
My issues were a hodgepodge of those things plus a heavy dose of middle child syndrome. Therapy had helped me work through the feelings of being overshadowed, but sometimes it still lingered. But I kept those things to myself. It was neither Austin or Avery’s fault, and I loved both of them. I didn’t need to burden them with my own bullshit.
My phone rattled in my pocket and I fished it out. My eyes immediately narrowed.
Avery the Menace
Hey . . . So funny thing just happened
I know I just said you should be relaxing, but can you do me a favor?
I snorted.That was quick.So much for a vacation.
Me
what do you want?
Avery the Menace
You know the artist visiting for the residency?
Of course I did. We all did. Avery had been talking non-stop about the artist residency for the last six months. She’d gotten the idea around Christmas last year then quickly went into full planning mode. It was a great idea, of course. One everyone supported. But I’d heard about it at least fifty times in the last month alone soyeah.I knew the artist visiting for the residency.
Me
Yes???
Avery
She just called, her car broke down
It sounds like she made it to the shop. Can you just pick her up and take her to the inn? Austin should be able to get her settled from there
Me
And why can’t you do it?
This time, I got a side text from Mateo. Her boyfriend. My best friend. Someone I loved dearly and still occasionally wanted to punch.
Mateo
Avery is busy. Thanks for helping ;)
