Veer (Clayton Falls) Read Free Page A

I was going alone.
    “I think you’re going to like it here. The firm you’re working at is ultra-casual , nothing like the firms in Boston. ”
    “I bet. I still can’t believe they hired me with just a phone interview , though.”
    She set down her now empty cup. “They only did that interview to make you feel better.”
    “My transcript and recommendation letters were enough?” Sure , my letters were good, but not that good.
    “You’re my friend. Mr. Morgan was my Dad’s good friend. It’s just how things work around here.” It felt strange to get a job just because of connections, but I figured it didn’t matter as long as I worked hard and proved myself.
    “Well, hopefully I won’t let them down.”
    “You won’t . Y ou ’ r e superhuman, remember?”
    “Uh huh.”
    The front door opened, announcing Ben’s return from rehearsal. The night had flown by.
    “Wow, I didn’t expect to find you girls still up.” He put down his guitar, leaning over to kiss Molly.
    “We’ve had a lot to catch up on.” Molly beamed up at him.
    “So , Jake’s officially out . T he pool house is ready.” Ben took a seat on the arm of the sofa beside Molly. He definitely had those boy next door good looks, and considering his tanned skin, he probably loved the sun just as much as Molly.
    She smiled. “Oh , great.”
    “Pool house?” I sat up straighter.
    “Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you . I found you a place to stay. I know you didn’t want to stay in my old bedroom all summer.” Molly and Ben had bought her childhood home and were fixing it up in stages . Currently , her bedroom looked the way she’d left it senior year of high school —stuffed animals and all .
    “So where’s this pool house exactly?” I didn’t want to play the unwelcome house guest , but I also didn’t want to stay at some random person’s home . This was all stuff I probably should have figured out before leaving Boston, but Molly had assured me she’d take care of it all. I ’d needed a break from worrying and listened.
    “It’s at my parents ’ house. My brother finally moved o ut , so it’s yours for the summer . ” Ben slid down off the arm of the couch, pushing Molly over for a minute before pulling her into his lap. I tried not to feel uncomfortable at the intimate gesture.
    “Are you sure? Don’t your parents care?” There had to be a catch. People didn’t just let perfect strangers stay in their homes—or pool houses. It sounded so funny. I hadn’t realized Ben was wealthy enough to have such a nice place . But then again, Molly had told me real estate was really cheap in Clayton Falls .
    “Not at all. They’re thrilled. First , it gave them an excuse to kick Jake out, plus Mom is excited to have a gi rl around. She complains to me constantly that Molly isn’t over enough .”
    “I can pay something, ” I offered quickly. I didn’t have much, but surely I could contribute a little .
    “There’s no way my parents are going to take your money. Really , it’s not a problem.”
    I decided to drop it. It would be pointless to argue so much that I annoyed my host. “All right . W ell , thanks.”
    “It’s our pleasure . Y ou ’ r e family , Becca.” Molly reached over and patted my leg.
    Family. A word I wasn’t sure I’d eve r say again. It only reminded me that Mom was gone. She’d gotten her breast cancer diagnosis years before, but after treatments and a few remissions , I’d almost forgotten that dying was even a possibility. All of that changed when she had the seizure, and we realized her cancer had spread to her brain. Although the radiation treatments stopped the seizures, she was never the same. The terror of watching someone you love become a different person was something I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy.
    “I think I’m going to turn in.” I stood up, picking up both the cocoa mugs to bring them into the kitchen.
    Molly nodded. “All right, we’ll move you over tomorrow. Then