Part 38 (2/2)
”At least she won't hate me.”
Tyler drove us to Avis, and I waved at Finley from behind the pa.s.senger side window of the truck. They followed us north on the toll road toward Estes Park.
I sighed for the fourth time in ten minutes.
”Ellie...” Tyler began.
”I have less than an hour and a half to figure this out. What are you doing?” I screeched.
”What?” he cried.
”You're speeding! I need time to think of a way to keep her out of my apartment!”
Tyler eased back on the accelerator, looking annoyed. ”What if you tell her it's being fumigated?”
”Then she'll go to your apartment.”
”So?”
”She'll expect me to come, too.”
”Okay, then you get car sick on the way to Estes.”
”I like it, but it's a temporary fix to a permanent problem.”
Tyler sighed. ”Maybe ... maybe you should just tell her.”
”Are you out of your mind? Do you want Finley to hate me?”
”If it were me-” He hesitated. ”I would be more upset that you kept it from me. She'll get over it if you're honest with her.”
”No,” I said, shaking my head. ”You don't know Fin like I do. She holds grudges, and Sterling ...”
”Is a whiney little c.u.n.t nugget.”
I closed my eyes. ”Don't say that to her.”
When we pulled into the parking lot of the MountainEar, my heart began to pound in my chest, and my palms were slick with sweat.
”You're sure you don't want me to come in?”
”Just long enough to follow me into the bathroom and...”
Marco knocked on Tyler's window. He looked at me and then pressed the b.u.t.ton, waiting until it rolled all the way down.
”Hey, Ellie's not feeling great. I think she's a little car sick.”
”My sister doesn't get car sick,” Finley said from behind Marco. ”Why are we at her work? I thought we were going to her apartment?”
”This is her apartment,” Tyler said. ”Above the office.”
Finley smiled. ”Fantastic. Let's go.”
Marco pulled an extra-large roller suitcase with several duffels and bags stacked on top down the sidewalk.
I scrambled from the truck. ”What are you doing?”
”Oh,” Finley said. ”Do you need a.s.sistance with your luggage?”
”No. It's a one-bedroom apartment. Why aren't you staying at the house?”
Finley seemed annoyed. ”Because our parents are there, and they don't know I'm here. If they knew, they would be at your door because they are desperate to see you, too.”
Finley turned on her heels, waiting for me at the door with Marco.
I chewed on my thumbnail, gazing up at Tyler who was still in the driver seat. ”It's times like these I regret not being religious.”
”Should I come?” he asked. ”At least let me help with your bags.”
I shook my head, defeated. ”I don't want you to see this.”
With worry in his eyes, Tyler waved to me, waiting until I reached the door before he backed away.
I led Finley and Marco upstairs, directing Marco to the sofa and Finley to my bedroom.
”This is gorgeous! I was worried what you would be able to afford on your wages, but this is exquisite! Well done, baby sister!”
”Well,” I said, watching her unpack as if she had lit herself on fire, ”my boss gave me a great deal.”
”What is Tyler's apartment like? Is it this nice?”
”No,” I said, shaking my head. ”But it's decent.”
”Then why not just move him here? And why haven't you started packing yet?”
”We just decided over Christmas.”
”Thank G.o.d I'm here,” Finley said. ”Marco can help you pack.”
”I'm really ... I'm okay. Tyler will be over later. We were kind of going to do it together.”
”Don't be silly....” Finley began, but she finally looked at me long enough to see what I knew she would. ”What aren't you telling me? Oh my h.e.l.l, Ellie! Are you pregnant?” she screeched.
”What? No! I can barely take care of myself.” I left her for the kitchen, yanking open the fridge and popping the top of my favorite cheap beer.
”Ew, what the f.u.c.k is that?” Finley asked.
<script>