Bender (The Core Four #1)(13)

I’d gone to get Sarah after cleaning up the mess, and we’d picked up a few movies from the store as well as a bag full of candy. I had a serious sweet tooth, and I had yet to find an eight-year-old who didn’t have the same problem. She wanted to watch Despicable Me first. Popping the movie in, the previews were just starting when the front door opened. Dodger came walking in, and he got a load of the candy spread on the coffee table. He smiled big.

“Hey girls, whatcha doing?”

Dodger had already met my sister, and they got along well. “Watching a movie, wanna watch it with us?” Sarah asked.

He nodded.

“You can have Keegan’s Laffy Taffy, but you can’t have my Nerds. I don’t share those.”

He laughed and ruffled her wild curls as he sat down beside her. “I’m actually eyeballing those Snickers.”

She gave him a hard face. “You can have one but no more.”

“Fine, one is plenty. But what about the other candy?”

“Are you kidding? You eat more than that candy bar you’ll have a tummy ache!”

“Well, then I’d better just stick to the one.” He smiled at her.

I was grinning at their exchange. Dodger was very much like a kid. His carefree attitude and fun spirit was exactly why I loved having him over all the time. I saw him more than I saw Camden. I really wished it would have been him who lived here. The three of us watched the movie together and laughed when I did impersonations of Steve Carrell’s voice. When it was over, I put in the next one and let Sarah start it. I took advantage of her zoning out and grabbed a bag from the counter and headed up to my bedroom door. I’d bought a new door handle that had a lock on it so I could lock it from the outside. I’d assumed Dodger had fallen asleep when I started the next movie, but apparently I’d been wrong. I heard him behind me clearing his throat.

“What are you doing?”

I startled. “Gah! Could you not sneak up on me like that? I have a screwdriver in my hand.”

He smirked. “I see that. What’s wrong with the doorknob that was already on there?”

I looked at him for a few seconds before turning back to the task at hand. “I’m changing them out so I can make sure I’ve got complete privacy, especially when I’m not home.”

He chuckled. “I can assure you, Camden isn’t into chicks’ clothes.”

“Ha, ha smart aleck. I’m referring to the Amazon women he brings home every night. I don’t trust them to not come in and think it’s a free-for-all in my room and take my things,” I grumbled.

Dodger touched my shoulder. “Wait, he’s been bringing home women?”

My eyebrows drew together. “Yeah, he’s brought at least three here since I’ve moved in. Why?”

His face looked confused. “Nothing, don’t worry about it.” He stood behind me, completely quiet as I worked. When I stood up, I opened the door so I could test the lock. I heard Dodger groan.

“What the fuck, Keeg.” He pushed me aside and hit the light switch on the wall.

“Hey, what are you doing?” I tried to maneuver in front of him and shove him back out. He wouldn’t budge. His eyes took in every bare inch of the room. By the time they met mine, he looked confused and mad. “Where’s all your furniture? I thought you said you were all moved in.”

My shoulders drooped, and my voice got quiet. “I am. This is all I have.”

His head was shaking back and forth. “This isn’t cool Keegan. You don’t even have a goddamn bed!”

“Why are you shouting at me? It’s not like I don’t plan on getting more furniture, I just can’t afford it right now. And my mom wouldn’t let me take the stuff from my room.” I kept my eyes down, and I couldn’t look at him. Why did I feel so ashamed?

He tipped my chin up so I was looking at him. “I can buy you a bed, Keegan. It’s not a problem.”

I jerked my head away. “No! I’m not a freaking charity case, and I’m working for what I have. I’ll be able to get everything I need in a few short months, so stop worrying about me, and wipe that look off your face.”

His mouth thinned in a frustrated line. “You know I’m going to tell him.”

“Tell who?”

“Camden.”

My stomach dropped, and I immediately became defensive. “You tell that bastard anything, I’m gone. I’m not dealing with your pity, and that asshole’s judgment being thrown in my face. I may not have a set of parents who give me whatever I need, but I’m capable of taking care of myself. Camden doesn’t need to know anything about me. He passed judgment on me the moment he set eyes on me. So please, keep this to yourself, okay?”

He watched me for a few short seconds before he scrubbed his hand down his face. “Fine, but you know he’s going to notice this at some point.”

“No he won’t. And even if he did, he wouldn’t care.” I knew he wouldn’t.

He shrugged. “If you think so. But I have a feeling it would bother him more than you think.”

“Whatever. Let’s go back downstairs so I can finish this movie with Sarah and get her back home.”

As I shut the door and used my new lock, I heard the front door open and close.