Addicted

"You would think that would make him love me more, not less." I turned on the radio, not wanting to dive into the reasons why my father was such a jerk to me most days. "New subject."

"Right. What are you getting Finn for Christmas?"

"I got him some cologne, but I can't figure out what else he might like." I looked over at my brother. "What would want if you were him?"

He looked at me and rolled his eyes. "You. Duh."

"He's got me."

"Does he?"

"Stop analyzing things. You're sixteen. Fart in the car and blame it on me, but don't grow up. I need some immaturity in my life. That has to be you."

"It will always be me." He reached over and tugged at my hair. "Be careful on the side roads if we have to get on any. I was watching the weather this morning and it's nasty."

"We do, so just help me watch out for things?"

"Of course."

We rode in silence the rest of the way out to Finn's, which was a gift in itself. Finn's truck wasn't out in the yard, which was surprising. I knew he worked on Sunday afternoons, but I would have thought Clark would have let the guys off to rest or go to church.

"Where's his truck?" Parker sat up and looked around.

"No clue. Wait here and let me make sure he's not inside."

"Yeah. Sure. You got a key?" He lifted his eyebrow at me.

"Yeah. We're dating...I think."

"I'd say so."

I got out of the jeep without responding. Of all of the people in the world, my little brother was not going to become my make-shift girlfriend. With Jessie out of my life, I'd have to make some new friends, but they'd be girls and they would not be related to me.

After finally getting the key in the lock, I walked into the house to find it just as I'd left it. Not a dish out or a pillow moved. I check Finn's bedroom and stopped in my tracks. The bed wasn't even touched.

"Did you not come home at all?" I flipped on the lights and looked around as though there were something that might give me a clue to where the hell he was.

Maybe he stayed at his dad's.

Surely, he wouldn't have stayed with some random girl in town just because my dad kicked him in the proverbial nuts. No. I wouldn't even let those thoughts occupy my time. He was mine, and I was his. This wasn't about infidelity, but about him needing to work through all the shit Dad slung at him. I only wished he would have let me help him. For each negative Dad was sure to have hit him with, I could have pulled out ten positives.

After locking up, I jogged back to the jeep and got in.

"No luck?"

"No. He wasn't there last night for sure." I sunk back against the seat and growled. "Now what?"

"Have you tried texting him?"

"Yes, pointer of the obvious. Of course, I have."

"Okay, shit. Put your teeth back in your head."

I turned to him and bit at the air for good measure as he laughed.

"Do you think it would be too much if we went by the shop where he works? His dad owns it, so he would know where Finn was, I'm sure."

"I think that's fine. We're just concerned friends. They shouldn't get upset about that, and anyway, the worse he can do is send us packing."