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.” Greg renewed his growl of disapproval.Cameron sighed.She placed her hand on Greg’s shoulder, walking him away from her brother toward his own bedroom door.His eyes were bloodshot; he looked like he had been up all night.Her manner eased.“What did Zach do?”Greg swallowed hard, trying to regain what was left of his composure.“I didn’t get any sleep all night.I don’t know what he and his friend did.”“Hold it—friend?”“Yeah.What’s his name? The one he’s always hanging with.”“Randy?”“I guess.He’s sleeping in your bedroom.” He grunted.“They came in, ate my leftover pizza in the fridge, and drank Karl’s beers.”“Okay, okay,” Cameron said levelly.It was making sense.Greg liked everything in its place.No one was allowed to touch his stuff.He was an extremely giving sort if he felt like it, but he had to feel like it.No one could ask Greg…and to take his pizza! Strictly taboo.It would have been funny if he wasn’t so dead serious about the whole thing.“I’ll take care of it, but Greg, you know that Zach’s welcome here anytime.I’ve made that perfectly clear.He is always welcome.You know how I feel.I’ll talk with him and replace your pizza.How’s that?”“I’m tired, Cam.Just get him out of here,” Greg said, impatiently glaring at the back of the couch.“He was wild last night.He came in.Left and came back in half-cocked.Don’t know what the two of them were up to, but it was no good, Cam, I tell you.”She nodded while she patted his back, giving him a slight smile and trying her best to be a little sympathetic.She turned the knob as if herding him into his bedroom.“I’ll take care of it.Sorry, Greg.Get some sleep.”“It’s not fair to you, Cam.You’re always taking care of everyone,” he mumbled, obediently walking in his room.He didn’t turn back around.“I’m fine, Greg.Just fine,” she said.She reached back over to close the door firmly behind him.Hopefully, he would sleep and Zach would be long gone before he awoke.She turned back around.Her attention was now firmly placed on her young, irresponsible brother.“Don’t start on me, Cam.I didn’t do anything this time,” Zach said.Cameron sighed and took a seat in a navy blue leather recliner.She realized she had a raging headache, as she stared at her sibling.He had been so young when their mother died.Their father hadn’t dealt well with the fact the love of his life had left this world and he had been the cause.He drowned his sorrows in a bottle.During nursing school, she had learned her father was what one would call a functional alcoholic, able to maintain his job—barely.Home was another matter.Cameron had done her best, but had made her escape going to college.The guilt of leaving Zach in the situation plagued her.Zach seemed to manage well enough, at least socially.His grades…well, he got by.Cam had to pull teeth to get him to take them seriously.Partying and sports came too naturally for him.Studying took effort.“When are you moving, anyway? You are still buying that condo? I liked the place and you’ll be away from that kook.”“Don’t try to change the subject.What the hell happened here last night?”“Nothing, sis.Told you.Randy and I were going to go out like I called and told you.We may have been a little hungry.”Cameron rolled her eyes.She had no doubt Randy and Zach egged Greg on.It wouldn’t take much.When she had called in the afternoon, Greg hadn’t been happy with the news that Zach was coming over.“What else did you do? My God.Look at this place.Your clothes are all over the living room.”She got up.Her eyes caught sight of his sneakers with blaring dark red spots covering the white leather.She picked them up.“This is blood, Zach.” Her voice rose.“Were you in a fight?”He looked at his sister, bewildered, trying to stand.His hand went to his head as if it were spinning, then sat back down.“Oh, I don’t feel right.”“I bet you don’t.Oh, come on, Zach.Grow up.You promised me.You didn’t drive in this condition.Please, God, tell me you didn’t.”“If you would be quiet for just a minute, sis, I would tell you.I don’t think we went out.The last thing I remember is having a beer and watching TV.We were waiting for Alex to call to meet up.I think I fell asleep.Is Randy still here?”“He’s in my bedroom.Where I need to be, Zach.I wanted to take a nap myself.What are your plans today, anyway? Have you seen Dad?”Zach smiled slightly, as if the effort hurt.“Ever the mother, sis? Like I told you yesterday, I just needed to crash here last night.I can take care of myself, you know.Dad, well, he’s doing what he does best.As long as it’s not Friday night through Sunday, he’s fine.”“Okay, okay,” Cameron said, relaxing back into her protective mode.Years of habitual behavior took over.“Where’s your car? You didn’t park it in your usual spot.”A confused look crossed Zach’s face.Running his fingers through his hair, he tried to collect his thoughts.His eyes caught sight of his keys by his laptop on the coffee table.He shook his head [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]