That earns a tiny smile from me, but Im still not happy.

Im here if you need to talk about it, she says.

I sigh. I know.

Shes silent again, but perks up fast. Why dont we do something to take your mind off everything?

Like what?

What are you doing tonight?

I scan my mental list of things to do. Besides working on bikes, its blank. I sigh. I dont have a life. Nothing.

She frowns. I thought you had stuff to do?

My lips twitch and I fight back a smile. I thought you had to work?

She chuckles. Were horrible liars.

Yes. Yes, we are. So, whats the plan?

She takes a bite out of my scone, chews, and swallows before talking again. Sorry. It looked really good.

I wave my hand. Youre fine.

She shrugs. I know. Anyway, I have a few ideas. And none involve shopping, believe it or not. We can do that tomorrow instead. I can tell Id be pushing it if I took you today.

Im fine.

She gives me a pointed look. Sure. Anyway, Ill narrow my ideas down and well do something awesome.

Okay I try to look super excited, but in actuality, Im super scared.

Kelsies ideas of fun are way different than mine.

CHAPTER 7.

Mom and Dad are gone when I get home, so I hang out in the garage and try to fix up the Gary Fisher Ive been working on so I can put it online and try to sell it.

The bike is in pretty good shape. And after finding it at the second-hand store for ten bucks, Id call that a steal.

Normally when I fix up a bike, I can sell it for at least triple what I bought it for. Like the Scott I sold last week. Bought it for $15 at a yard sale, fixed it up, and sold it for $150 online. People dont know how much bikes are really worth when they just throw them out like that.

I grab a bottle of blue nail polish and cover up some of the scratches on the bikes frame. Its almost a perfect match. From far away, no one could tell it was a little off.

A good thing about fixing up old bikes is I now have a huge stash of every color nail polish Id ever want. Sometimes when I go to the store, Ill buy ten different shades of blue, come home and match it to a bike Im working on, and take the rest back the next day. The checkers always look at me weird when they see the receipts I bring back. At least they know Im not really a nail polish h.o.a.rder, though.

I glance up as Gavin comes through the garage door. He has his car keys and is dressed in his work clothes. Hey, Gav.

Hey. He grabs the brake on the handlebar closest to him and smiles. Having fun?

Sure.

I was wondering since you havent said much about you know. About Mom and all that. He frowns. You doing okay?

I glance up at him, seeing the concern on his face. I think so.

Good. Thats good. Im heading to work, but if you need to talk, you know where to find me. I know how you like to handle things on your own. But its not good for you. So, just know Im here. Waiting to talk when youre ready. Okay?

Thanks, Gav. I reach out to give him a hug, but he makes a face and puts his hands up to stop me.

Are you kidding? Theres no way youre hugging me when you look like that.

I glance down at my outfit covered with grease stains and chuckle. Fine. I put my arms down. Have a good day at work.

He nods, gets in his car, and drives away.

I kind of love my big brother. Always looking out for me, even when I dont realize it.

Once hes down the street, I turn on some music and smile as it blasts through the garage. Our neighbors probably hate me. I hum along to the song as I reach for the bowl of vinegar the ca.s.sette is soaking in and smile as I see all the flakes of rust settling at the bottom. Vinegar does wonders. I pull out my old toothbrush and scrub at the few flakes left.

While I scrub, thoughts of Mom take over. I wonder how shes doing today. Maybe I should ask her if she wants to go out to dinner and talk or something. I want to know things. I want her to tell me how shes feeling and how things are affecting her and how badly. I want to keep doing our girls nights without worrying if sh.e.l.l remember them or not. I know I should keep treating her the same"like nothings wrong"but I cant when I know there is something wrong. And what if she doesnt want to talk to me about anything? Its not like she came out and told me what was going on anyway. I shake my head and focus on the task at hand.

I take out the ca.s.sette, look it over to make sure I didnt leave any rust in any crevices, and set it on a towel to dry. The vinegar is gross and smelly on my hands, so I stand to wash them.

As I do, someone pulls into my driveway and my mouth drops open as I realize who it is.

Cole.

He smiles when he sees me and jumps down from his truck. It takes five seconds to realize Im wearing an ugly pair of pajama shorts and an old faded tank-top. My hair is in a messy bun and Im sure I have grease stains on my face.

I have to talk myself out of running inside and changing.

Hey, he says as he walks up to greet me. His eyes take in my awesome outfit, and I see the corner of his mouth twitch.

Uh hi? Im standing with my hands outstretched, soaked in vinegar, and Im pretty sure my mouth is still hanging open. I glance down at my outfit and feel my face heat. What a wonderful time for him to show up when I look so amazing.

His smile widens, and I really want to say he looks like c.r.a.p, too, but no. Hes wearing his biking gear and looks hot. Yes. I said it. And right now I kind of hate myself a little.

I hesitate a second more before Im coherent enough to say something. What are you doing here?

He shrugs. Just finished a ride and thought Id come say hi. He glances at the bike Im working on and raises an eyebrow. Isnt that bike a little tall for you?

That snaps me out of my staring. Its not mine. Well technically it is, but Im not going to ride it. Im fixing it up to sell it. I leave him standing at the edge of the garage and go wash my hands in the sink hooked to the back wall. When I return to the bike, hes checking it out.

You fix these up?

Yep.

He looks up at me and I swear I see a flicker of amazement cross his features. Thats awesome. Did you build your own?

Yes.

Sweet. He glances at my bike sitting a few feet away and then back at me. I ride but dont build. Maybe you can teach me a few things sometime.

Okay. I stare at him, wondering what hes really doing here. So, all you came to do was say hi?

No, not really.

Oh?

He plays with his keys in his hand and looks kind of nervous. I was wondering if you and Kelsie wanted to get some friends together and come bowling tonight.

I stare at him. Are you serious? I cant remember the last time I went bowling. Its been years. And believe me when I say Im super awesome at it.

Total lie.

He shrugs. My cousins are coming in from California and Im supposed to entertain them tonight. I thought it would be nice to invite more people. Mainly, you and Kelsie.

Why?

He smiles. Is it a bad thing to want to hang out with you?

My cheeks heat and I grit my teeth together. I dont know why he has to do that. Make me feel all fuzzy. Fuzzy? Ill uh talk to her, I guess.

You guess?

Yes. I sit down in my chair again and think about what else I need to do to the bike in front of me. Distract myself. From him.

Youre not going to come up with a stupid excuse like earlier today, are you?

I glance up at him. Huh?

I invited you to go biking, but you said you had stuff to do. Like cleaning around the house.

I shrug. I do.

Cleaning bikes around the house?

I blush. Exactly.

He raises an eyebrow and gives me a half smile. Whatever you say. He waits for a moment and I can feel him watching me. So, you game?

For what?

He lets out a frustrated breath. Bowling.

Oh. That. I stop what Im doing and look up at him again. Ill think about it.

He smiles. Great. Were leaving around six tonight and meeting at West Point Lanes. Ill probably have to drive my cousins, so meet us there?

Sounds good.

Great. He backs up, his eyes never leaving my face. See you there, Marty.

I cringe at that. Well see, Evans.

He laughs as he gets back in his truck and drives away. I stare at it until he turns the corner.

What just happened?

CHAPTER 8.

I stare at the bowling alley in front of me and frown. No.

Come on, Emmy. Itll be fun, Kelsie says.

No way.

Coles waiting for us. Were late. His cousins are going to be disappointed if he doesnt bring friends. He told me to come in and find them. Theyre at lanes 7 and 8.

I fold my arms and lean back against the seat. I didnt realize youd been fraternizing with the enemy behind my back.

She laughs. Fraternizing?

I shrug and give her half a smile. It seemed like a good word to use.

Kelsie chuckles. If you come, I promise Ill make it up to you. You know, for all my fraternizing.

How? Shed better do something awesome. Like letting me off the hook to go shopping with her.

Ill buy you a shake on the way home. Caramel brownie. Your favorite.

A shake. Such a trivial, fattening thing. But one of the only things she can use against me.

Curse you, food, and all of your deliciousness.