Before I could analyze the topic to death, Amanda shouted from the track, “Come on, Colton!”
My nostrils flared. Amanda Gelling had always been an irritating individual, but her liking the same guy I did made it even worse.
Colton started to leave, then stopped. “I’m sorry about your skateboard.” He flashed his big brown eyes at me, then trudged down the bleachers, his cleats clicking on the metal benches. Once he joined Amanda, she slipped her hand into his, no doubt marking her territory.
I growled under my breath. “Colton, wait,” I blurted. Dad had mentioned that maybe Colton could help me change the oil in my car, and maybe he could fix my skateboard too. “Can you stop by later? I have a proposition for you.”
Grady whistled as he met Colton on the track.
I held back the urge to flip him off, keeping my focus on Colton and no one else.
One side of Colton’s mouth turned upward, and a funny feeling pulsed between my legs.
Amanda snarled. “What could you possibly offer Colton with those flat tits of yours?” Her voice was so loud, I was sure the football coach could hear her from his spot on the field.
My middle finger popped up like a jack-in-the-box.
Georgia snorted.
I wasn’t the type to start fights, but I would in a heartbeat if it would shut her up. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”
Georgia came to my rescue. “At least her tits aren’t fake,” she fired down to Amanda.
Grady was clearly enjoying himself, wearing his normal irritating smirk.
“I’ll see you tonight,” Colton said to me.
Then Grady, Colton, and Amanda left.
“I so want to climb Colton like a monkey,” I mumbled.
Georgia busted out laughing. “You’ve been listening to Mia too much, but I agree. I wouldn’t mind either. So give me the deets. What’s your proposition?”
“My skateboard. Nothing more.” Oh yeah. My car too.
“Good plan.”
Now to shuck the nervous nellies.
8
I deposited my bag at the door, and for some odd reason, my heart sputtered. I could feel the heaviness in the air. The house was normally quiet, given that Dad was in bed most days. But usually I could at least hear the TV.
I hurried toward Dad’s room as Nan’s voice floated out. “Breathe.”
Afraid to go in, I stopped short, gulping in air as if I were the one who couldn’t breathe.
Dad finally grunted out a choking sound and coughed again.
Instantly, tears burned my eyes. The neurologist had told us that choking was a major problem with ALS patients and one of the ways Dad could die.
Please don’t let this be the day. Please, God.
I rolled back my shoulders and dug deep for that courage Dad always said I had. No amount of bravery could quiet or stop the turbulent emotions swirling inside me.
Dad coughed hard.
“That’s it,” Nan said. “One more time.” Then the suction machine, a device that had been a lifesaver when food got lodged in his throat, whirred.
I flattened my back against the wall outside his door. A tear dropped, followed by another and another.
Dad gagged one last time.
The suction machine continued, and when Nan finally shut it off, she asked, “Better?”
I wiped my face with my shirt. Episodes like that were becoming the norm, no matter how much we pureed his food.
I plastered on a happy face as best I could, then slipped in quietly. As soon as Dad laid eyes on me, he lit up as though he hadn’t just hacked up a lung. Suddenly, my heart opened and my stomach settled.
Nan appeared flustered, and I couldn’t blame her. “You’re home early. Did you go to the beach with Mia and Georgia?”
“I changed my mind.” I wanted to be there when Colton came over. We hadn’t discussed a time, and if I knew my friends, they would be at the beach until the sun went down. Plus I wanted to spend time with Dad before Colton made me into a complete bag of nerves.
Nan cleared his table. “I need to tidy up the kitchen.” She collected a towel and placed it on top of the dirty plate. Then she left without another word.
I squeezed Dad’s toes, which were poking out of the cushioned boots he wore to elevate his legs and reduce the fluid buildup. “Are you good?”
He blinked once, which was our code for yes. Then he eyed his computer, which was tucked off to the side near the window.
I swung the arm of the stand in front of him and hit the power button. “Our old house is up for sale.” I’d planned on telling him the night before, but he was asleep when I got home.
He lifted his eyebrows before he focused on the computer screen. Then he blinked as he typed with his eyes. “How much is the house selling for?”
I shrugged. “I’m not sure. I just saw the sign.” I didn’t think he had the money to buy it back. “So Colton is stopping by later. I’ll ask him to help me with the Toyota.”
“Are you and Colton studying? Do you have the same classes?” the computer voice asked.
“No. I busted a wheel on my board,” I said. “I’m going to see if he can fix it.”
Dad’s gaze flicked to my elbow, and within a minute the computer voice said, “You fell. Is that what happened to your arm?”
“Yeah.” I nodded, hoping he didn’t ask more questions. I didn’t want to explain how Colton had rammed his truck into me.
Concern washed over Dad.
“Dad, falling comes with the sport. You know that.” I showed him my elbow. I still had a Band-Aid on it. “It’s nothing. I’m a tough cookie. Isn’t that what you tell me all the time?”
He gave me a proud smile, which I was going to miss. “Do you need money to buy a
