Atonement(16)

“Oh, there you are,” Colin greeted with a little too much enthusiasm. “Ready to go?”

“Almost. I have to pack a bag and then we can leave.” I glared at my cousin. “Aubrey, can I have a word?”

“Oh, sure!” she exclaimed before she bounced off behind me.

“Close the door behind you.”

“What’s going on, chère?” she inquired as she shut the door.

“Listen, Drew is going to let you stay but you are going to have to tow a very fine f*cking line. That means no wild parties, no friends over and no drugs.”

She placed elegant, manicured hands on indignant hips. “I don’t do drugs, Deirdre. I gave all that shit up a long time ago—”

“I’m including marijuana so don’t try to weasel your way out of this.”

“Fuck! Marijuana is legal in this State so how is it a drug?”

I rolled my eyes. “My roomie is this close to throwing you out and not allowing you stay. Here, we don’t smoke in the house so your habit goes outside, on the patio. Also, alcohol is fine but we are more wine and beer than spirits so keep them at the minimum. Don’t try to seduce Drew, wear an appropriate amount of clothing at all times, especially in the common areas, and try not to make a mess. We have a cleaning lady but she only comes every Monday so if you f*ck something up, you clean it up. She doesn’t do used condoms in nasty random places or anything else unsavory.”

Aubrey refused to meet my eyes. “Are there any other rules I need to know about?”

“Yeah, since this is my bedroom, which I am loaning out to you rent-free, I don’t want any company here at all. You meet some hot guy, you take his ass to his place. The last thing we need are a string of strange men coming and going. We’re cool with our neighbors and I’d like to keep it that way.”

“What about your Mini Cooper? Can I drive it?”

“Yes but if my triple A rating with my auto insurance company has been reduced then you are going to pay for the damage you have done or a new car—which ever is cheaper.”

My cousin let out a low whistle. “You drive a hard bargain but fair is fair. And by the way, I don’t want to be treated like a charity case. I can pay your share of the bills while you’re away. I make good money at Bare…my problem is most of it goes on clothes and shoes but that is no excuse. I will do my part, I promise.”

“Okay, if you insist.” I walked over to my closet and began to pack an overnight bag though I had included at least a week’s worth of clothes. I always underpacked for Europe because there were so many fabulous clothing stores, it was better to shop over there anyway.

I grabbed my Rimowa titanium wheeled suitcase and began to walk out with it dragging behind me before Aubrey called my name. I stopped and turned to face her.

“Will you come by and see us before you go? I mean, I know how crazy excited you are to get to Europe but…it would mean a lot to me if we could hold a small get together. Drinks, food…music. This is a huge step you’re making in the right direction.”

“Discuss it with Drew,” I responded evasively.

Aubrey sighed and walked over. “Listen, you’re not the only one who has ever lost a parent. Granted, you just lost your father and Jeanette isn’t your real mom but…I know what it’s like and I could have been there for you if you hadn’t shut me out every chance you got.”

She crossed her arms over her firm breasts. “Sometimes I wish my mom was dead. At least I’d know she was no longer hurting herself with alcohol and drugs. Let me be here for you and for God’s sake, let someone in. Colin’s a good guy but don’t make the same mistakes with him you made with Drew.”

Before I could inquire what mistakes I’d made with Drew, Colin walked in and grabbed my suitcase. “You ready?”

“Yep,” I replied as I slipped my house key from the keychain and handed it to Aubrey.

“Good, then let’s go.”

“Don’t forget about what I said, Deirdre,” Aubrey warned.

“I won’t.” I smiled although it was far from one hundred percent genuine, turned and walked out of my room. What ever happened, it no longer belonged to me, at least not for a little while.





Chapter Six





I COULD MAKE a list of comments about staying with Colin in his excessively overpriced eye-sore of a building but inconvenience wasn’t one of them. Th guy was an absolute genius and despite all the rumors I’d been subjected to, I had yet to see any real evidence he was anything other than a decent guy.