Switching Gears Part 19

Cole pulls into my driveway and takes my bike out of his truck. As he sets it on the ground in front of the garage, he looks at me. If you need any help"

Im fine, I say, a little too loud. Thanks. All I want to do is go inside. Even if my parents are going to ground me forever, Id rather be in my house, away from everyone else. Ill see you guys later. Kelsie, thanks for bringing me home.

She gives me a hug and gets back in her car as I walk to my door.

You sure you dont need anything? Cole asks.

No. Thanks for bringing my bike back.

He s.h.i.+fts his weight and frowns, his arms folded.

I walk away from him. If he had any feelings for me before, theyre probably gone now. Hes seen me at my worst. In pain, exhausted, and almost pa.s.sing out from stupid shots and st.i.tches. And clearly Im not the talented biker he thought I was.

Before I go inside, I look back at Cole. Hes standing next to my garage, his arms folded and looking sad.

I open the door and leave him there alone.

CHAPTER 20.

Of course my parents are waiting for me when I walk inside.

Dads standing by the doorway to the kitchen and Moms on the couch. As soon as I shut the door, Mom stands and wraps her arms around me. Youre okay? I nod and she squeezes me once more before letting me go and taking a step back. You sure?

Yes. I try to avoid her eyes, but its hard when shes standing right in front of me.

Dad comes in the room, but stays back. Youre grounded forever.

Dad, I start to protest.

Mom turns around and shakes her head at him, then she turns back to me. I flinch under her gaze. Shes acting so normal. And looks calm. Too calm. Which means shes very angry. Im glad you werent hurt worse. She pauses. How many st.i.tches?

Eight.

She nods and her gaze hardens. So, eight weeks of grounding then?

Mom, no!

She folds her arms. Why did you lie to me?

I shrug. I didnt think youd let me go.

Why would you think that?

I know how you dont like me driving long distances very often.

She studies me, her eyes narrowed. Still. You should have asked. I might have said yes this time. What if something worse would have happened to you? Youre seventeen, Emmy. You live under my roof, so that means you obey my rules.

I sigh. I know. I know I was stupid. I made a mistake. I should say that, but I dont. I just stare at the floor, very aware of the pounding in my head and Dad glaring daggers at me from across the room.

Youre not going to say anything else? she asks.

No.

She lets out a breath, frustrated. Emmy. Youve never lied to me before. Whats going on?

Nothing.

Are you sure? Because this is so not like you.

I look away and grit my teeth to control my rising temper.

Dad takes a step toward us. You know better, Emmy. Why would you deliberately break our trust?

My head snaps up and my eyes narrow as I stare both of them down. You want to talk about trust? What gives you the right to even bring that up?

Emmy, Dad warns.

No. You two didnt tell me about Mom for six months. Six. Months. And you stand there and make me feel awful for not telling you about one stupid bike ride?

Thats different, Emmy, Mom says. It wasnt a lie. We just didnt tell you what was going on.

I fold my arms. So you didnt tell me the truth, is what youre saying. And that makes it okay?

She frowns and glances back at Dad for support. He walks over and joins her, putting an arm around her. He reaches out to touch me and I back up a step. Bug, I realize now it wasnt okay not to tell you and Gavin. Im sorry for that. We didnt want you to worry. We thought it wasnt a big deal at first.

Wasnt a big deal? Moms going to forget us!

Moms mouth drops open like Ive slapped her. It takes her a moment to recover. Honey Shes shaking. Maybe trying not to cry. I know Im doing the same thing.

Dad grabs her hand and speaks for her. Moms fine, Emmy. Shes still Mom.

Thats when I snap. Why does everyone keep saying that? Shes fine. Shes fine. Oh, dont worry, shes fine. Why cant you tell me the truth? That she isnt fine. That sh.e.l.l never be fine again. I looked up Alzheimers disease. Do you know all the symptoms? Everything thats going to happen to her? I cant handle you saying shes fine anymore when you know perfectly well that she isnt.

Mom backs up a step, her mouth hanging open. It takes her a moment to find her voice, but she definitely finds it. Emmy, were not talking about me right now. Were talking about you. Why did you lie to us about your race? You could have told me the truth.

You wouldnt have let me go.

How do you know?

Because I know you.

She frowns. I trust you, Emmy. But when you do stuff like this, its hard for me to do that. Youre grounded. No friends, no biking, nothing. For a week.

What? No biking? You cant be serious!

She nods, her eyes still on mine. Yes, I am. No biking. She stares at me, frowns, glances at Dad, and steps out of my way.

Emmy, Dad says, but I push past him and run downstairs. I slam the door, making my head ache worse, and slide down the door to sit on the floor. I pull my knees to my chest and bury my face in them.

This isnt fair.

CHAPTER 21.

Its Monday. Two days since my stupid crash. Ive been lounging around my room all day, but I dont care. My whole body hurts worse today than Sat.u.r.day. So much so that Ive barely left my room all weekend.

Lazy is the word of the day.

What am I supposed do if Im grounded, though?

Nothing.

I throw a pile of clothes Ive been sorting in the corner and push a few things under my bed to make it look like Ive been cleaning. Like it will help at all. My rooms a disaster.

Someone knocks and I a.s.sume its Mom. I pinch my lips together and take a few deep breaths. I still havent talked to her or Dad since our fight. I rock back on my knees and stare at the door, bracing myself for whatever Mom wants to talk to me about. You can come in.

Gavin comes inside. Hey.

I tilt my head, confused. You knocked.

He shrugs. Shocking, I know. I figured you might still be asleep since you havent been feeling well lately. He plops himself down on my bed and looks me over. You look ready for the day.

I scowl at him and swipe my hair out of my face. Yes. I know. Im still in my pajamas. Theres a first time for everything, right?

Uh yes. Weird. Its He glances at my clock. Almost six?

Yep.

At night I know! I lean back and rest my head and shoulders against the wall, giving him my best scowl.

Just making sure you knew. Hows your head?

Fine. I get my st.i.tches out in a few days.

Good. He picks up one of my biking gloves off the floor and turns it over in his hand. So, I dont have to go to work for a few hours. You up for a movie? I know youre sore and dont feel the greatest, but I can even make some popcorn. Or go get us some treats. If you want.

I love the fact that he wants to spend time with me. But I can tell this isnt an average room call. Hes worried about me. I can see it in his eyes. Gav, are you ever going to ask a girl out instead of hanging with me every night?

He throws my glove at me. Girls are trouble.

Well, duh. Of course we are. But still. Youve gotta put yourself out there. Youre cute and funny and"

Whoa! He holds up his hand. Sisters dont say that about brothers.

I chuckle. Im just telling you the truth. How long has it been since youve been on a date?

He shrugs. I dont really care right now. Ill just be spending money on someone elses wife.

Seriously? Can he be any more ridiculous? Could be your future wife.

He snorts. Right. Enough of the dating advice. You want to watch a movie or not?

Sure.

Great. He stands and heads toward the door.

Gav?

He stops and turns around. Yes?

I bite my lip and pick at my fingernail, avoiding his eyes. Are Mom and Dad still mad at me?

He sighs. Why dont you ask them?

I dont know.

Theyre worried about you, Em. I am too.

I ignore that fact and put on a fake smile. Im fine.

Sure you are. I know when my sisters having a hard time.

Of course I am. Im grounded.

His eyes narrow. You know what I mean.

I let out a slow breath. I know.

Talk to me.

Im just stressed out about everything.

Like?

Mom. Biking. Boys.

Boys?