Page 14 of Under the Influence

I yank the phone back, “Yeah, sorry I didn’t answer. I was in the cages.”

“Does coach⁠—”

I stop him. “Don’t, Dad. Not today,” I beg. “Have you seen Nash?”

His eyes turn worried, much like mine.

“No. Is everything okay?”

“I don’t know.”

I push into the house, feeling a little better when I see Mom acting like a train wreck in the kitchen. She’s a mess, but she’s our mess. Mine and Dad’s. Lexie came into my life five years ago. She’s the only mom I’ve ever known, besides my grandma. My birth mother died shortly after I was born. My dad was only sixteen, so my grandparents raised me. I moved here to live with him when I was eleven. Right when my YouTube channel blew up.

It started as a few funny videos here and there, but now it’s turned into a full-fledged vlog. My subscribers, my followers, they live my life with me.

It’s weird and awesome at the same time.

Crazy as it sounds, though, it’s not about the money. I have a trust fund filled with enough cash that I’d never have to work a day in my life. Not that I’d live off of that alone, I’d drive myself crazy not doing anything. I just genuinely love making videos. My channel gets the attention of teenagers all over the country, and people even come here to try and find me. We had a massive privacy fence built a couple of years ago to help keep kids away. I’m not an average sixteen-year-old, no matter how much I want to be.

My phone rings again, and I look at the screen, immediately hitting the F-you button. My arms hurt so bad there’s no way I’m going out.

Avery

Where are you?

You’re still coming right?

Babe? Are you okay?

Her texts come in one right after the other, piled on top of the ones she sent earlier.

Carson

I’m sorry. I’m not feeling great. Catch you tomorrow?

Avery

Are you kidding me, Carson?

I can’t leave, there are a hundred people here, and I have to make sure no one messes anything up. My dad will be pissed.

Carson

It’s alright, have a good time. I’ll see you tomorrow.

Avery

Actually, I’ll just see you on Monday.

Well, she’s mad. Not surprising, since she always is.

Carson

Have you seen Nash?

Avery

No. If I find him, I’ll send him your way though. Bet you aren’t too sick to hang out with him.