I don’t even want to know how he can be so sure. Something tells me there’s a lot more about his family, I don’t know. I don’t want to know either, just like I don’t want to know how he got his hands on a gun out of nowhere.
“Come on. You look like you could use a drink. I know I sure as hell could.” He takes my hand and leads me back into the house, and it’s almost like nothing ever happened.
Just when I think I understand my new friends, they make me question everything I thought I knew.
30
My heart sinks when I get home from school on Thursday and see Mr. Ambrose’s car in front of the house. I knew they couldn’t stay away forever, but I couldn’t help hoping they would. I should be happy my mom is home, shouldn’t I? I mean, in a normal world, I would be. But nothing about my world is normal.
I can only hope Bridget has Lucy under control, or else I’ll be the one who takes the blame. I can’t forget the way Mom made it sound when we were on the phone on Monday. I was sick as a dog, but I remember that much.
“Morgan! Mommy’s home!” Lucy runs at me the second I’m through the door.
“Is she?” It’s amazing she can be so happy. I hope she never loses whatever allows her to be this way.
“There you are.” Mom comes gliding down the stairs, looking tan and glowing. “Where’s your brother? His father already texted and told him to come straight home after school.”
I don’t have a brother. “I don’t know. He doesn’t drive me, remember?”
Her smile slips. “Already with the attitude?”
“I’m just saying. I don’t know why he isn’t home yet.”
“Well, he’d better get here soon, because we have an announcement to make.”
I guess this is my fault, too. I settle for going to the kitchen for a snack while Lucy follows me, chattering about her day. Usually I’m able to pay attention and actively engage with her, but I’m a little too distracted right now. I wonder what they’re waiting to tell us.
I don’t have to wait long.
The front door swings open and a moment later, Hayes’s voice echoes down the hall. “Okay, what’s the big news?”
I don’t know why, but I’m filled with dread as I leave the kitchen holding Lucy’s hand. Hayes looks at us and I frown, shrugging.
Mom emerges from the study, smiling again. “Come on in. We wanted to talk to you.”
Lucy and I get there first, with Hayes following close behind. The first hint of this being a bigger deal than I imagined is the bottle of champagne on ice.
Mr. Ambrose is all smiles as he waves me closer. “This is a celebration. You’re both underage but certain situations call for a glass of champagne. Lucy, I have apple juice for you.” He hands her a glass, and she accepts it with a solemn expression.
I look over my shoulder to find Hayes standing in the doorway, scowling. “Can we get this over with?” he says. “No offense, but I have a lot of homework to do.”
Mr. Ambrose only chuckles. “Trust me, this is worth it.” He hands me a champagne flute before offering one to Hayes, who accepts it but hasn’t stopped scowling—if anything, his scowl deepens.
Mom exchanges a look with Mr. Ambrose. “Do you want to tell them?”
Oh, no. A flash of intuition tells me when I’m about to hear. I shoot a panicked look toward Hayes, but he’s too busy glowering to notice.
Mom holds up her left hand, where even more diamonds are than before. “We eloped! That’s why we extended the trip. We decided to get married on a whim.”
My mouth falls open. “Married?”
Lucy squeals. “You got married! Mommy, I was gonna be the flower girl!”
Mom laughs indulgently. “We’ll still have a ceremony and a big party, baby. Don’t you worry about it. You’ll be the most beautiful flower girl there ever was.”
“This is for real? You really did it?” I can’t wrap my head around it.
“We did. I’ve never been happier in my entire life.” Mom wraps her arms around Mr. Ambrose’s waist—no, my stepfather’s waist—before giving him a peck on the cheek.
I look at Hayes again, and he wears the expression of somebody who just stepped in dog shit.
“There’s more.” Mom’s chin trembles like she’s about to cry, even though she’s still beaming. Her eyes sparkle with unshed tears as she looks from one of us to the other. “Our little family is going to grow. I’m pregnant.”
I feel like somebody punched me in the stomach. “Wow, this is great. A new brother or sister?” I look down at Lucy. “A new baby in the house. Isn’t that exciting?”
“I’m gonna be a big sister?” She bounces up and down on the balls of her feet. “Can I take care of the baby?” The adults laugh and I manage a brittle smile.