Matters of the Heart by Ashley Farley

Author:Ashley Farley
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Ashley Farley

18

PRESLEY

Presley is pinning images to Pinterest boards late on Thursday evening when Chris bangs on her cottage door. He’s still wearing his uniform with the shirt untucked and a backpack slung over his shoulder. He wears an anguished expression, and his eyes are red rimmed as though he’s been crying.

Presley is almost afraid to ask. “What’s wrong?”

“My mom caught Amy and me . . . um . . . you know, doing it. Having sex. Amy’s car was parked out front. Mom knew she was there. My bedroom door was closed, and Mom barged in without knocking. I still can’t believe she did that. She said some awful things.” Chris’s eyes glisten with fresh tears. “She called Amy a whore to her face.”

Presley flinches. “Where’s Amy now?”

“She went home, I guess. I’m not sure. She won’t answer her phone. She’ll probably break up with me. Can I crash on your sofa tonight? I can’t live with Mom anymore. I’ll try to reach my dad. Maybe I can stay at his house until I leave for school.”

“I have a spare bedroom, Chris. You’re welcome to stay here as long as you’d like.”

Chris swipes at his eyes. “Really? Do you mean it? That’d be great.”

“Of course. And Amy is welcome here any time. To the cottage. Not in your bed.” She slaps him playfully on the arm.

“I understand.”

“Come. I’ll show you the room.” Taking him by the hand, she leads him through the kitchen and down the short hallway to the second bedroom. She walks past the queen beds and opens another door. “You even have your own bathroom.”

“Sweet. Can I live with you for the rest of the summer?”

Presley hesitates. What does she know about taking care of a teenage boy? Then again, Chris is her brother. This will give them a chance to really get to know each other. “We’ll see how it goes.” A smirk appears on her lips. “As long as you keep your room clean and don’t eat my yogurt.”

“Deal.” He tosses his backpack on the bed and heads for the door. “I need to find Amy. To apologize.”

Presley walks with him back to the living room. “I have a spare key to the cottage. Let me get it for you.” She retrieves the key from her top desk drawer and gives it to him. “If you decide to sleep over at Amy’s house, text me so I won’t worry.”

“Yes ma’am,” he says, and she backhands him. “Call me ma’am again, and I’m kicking you out.”

Chris laughs. “I was kidding, sis. Take a joke.”

Presley musses his hair. “Good luck with your girl. And try not to worry about your mom.”

After Chris leaves, Presley remains on the porch a few minutes breathing in the crisp night air and listening to the cicadas. The peacefulness of the mountains is growing on her. Small town living isn’t so awful after all.

She’s no sooner returned to her computer when there’s another knock on her door, and she’s not surprised to see Lucy staring in at her.

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