Listen to Your Heart(55)

Luckily, Eli doesn’t seem too scarred by tonight’s events.

Too bad the same can’t be said for his aunt.

As if a ten-year-old hailing a cab at midnight in the pouring rain isn’t enough to cause a coronary, I had the added bonus of hearing that his parents were too busy screwing like rabbits to even notice he packed a bag and hit the road.

Those were his exact words—screwing like rabbits.

I cannot deal.

How does he even know that phrase? Or what it means?

When I asked my sweet innocent nephew where he’d heard it, he just rolled his eyes and went back to playing his guitar. Noting my absolute shock and horror, Caleb cleverly took me by the hand and led me to the kitchen. After pouring me a very large glass of wine, he then handed me my cell and kissed my cheek before heading back to the living room. I can’t even get excited that Eli’s in my apartment right now, learning the opening riff to a Bon Jovi song. I’m too busy plotting just how violent my brother’s beating is going to be.

Suddenly, the screeching guitar morphs into something soft, and that’s when I hear them talking.

“So, Eli, why did you really run away?”

My heart swells, and I sit down at the kitchen table and listen as Eli spills his guts to the most positive male role model in his life.

“Grown-ups are weird. I mean, you’re not weird. You’re cool. But my mom and dad are seriously screwed up.”

I can’t argue with him, but I keep my comments to myself. Now that I’m a little calmer, I could go back into the living room, but I stay rooted to my seat, allowing them the illusion of privacy. I have a feeling Eli won’t be as willing to talk if I’m around.

“You ran away because they’re weird?”

I hear Eli sigh. “I had my headset on playing Call of Duty. Then I got killed by some asshole in Canada and decided to just go to bed. That’s when I heard them.”

My ears are bleeding. When the hell did my nephew get such a filthy mouth?

Hmm, maybe he gets it from me.

“Heard what?” Caleb asks.

“Like this thumping against the wall. Then Dad screamed Mom’s name and Mom screamed Dad’s name . . .”

It’s official. I’m going to have a heart attack.

Caleb, however, is a pro. So calm and patient. “What happened when the . . . thumping stopped?”

“They started fighting, like they always do. I’m sick of it, Caleb. I’m sick of the fighting. I’m sick of the making up. Can I live here with you guys?”

“Well, I don’t technically live here.”

Eli snorts. “Whatever. I’ll be good. I’ll do my homework and practice guitar and keep my room clean. Please?”

Caleb doesn’t say anything, and I know that’s my cue. Taking a deep breath, I make my way back to the living room. They both watch me warily as I sit down on the sofa. I turn to my nephew.

“First of all, taking a cab across town at midnight was very dangerous. It scares me that you did that. I want you to promise that you’ll never, ever do it again. If you need to go somewhere, you call me. Got it?”

Eli fidgets in his seat. “Okay.”

“And yes, of course you can stay here tonight. You don’t have much of a choice, considering I can’t reach either of your parents.”

“What about tomorrow night?” he asks hopefully.

“We’ll worry about that in the morning. It’s late. Go get ready for bed.”

With a nod, Eli stands up and starts to walk to his room. He suddenly stops and turns around, and before I can blink, his arms are wrapped around my neck.

“I’m sorry I scared you, Aunt Skye. I didn’t mean to.”

“I know you didn’t. I just love you. I’d die if anything happened to you.”

“I’d die if anything happened to you, too,” he whispers against my ear.

I blink back my tears and squeeze him tight. He used to hug me like this all the time. I had no idea how much I missed it until right now.

“And, Eli? You’ve got to watch your mouth because my heart can’t take it.”

“Got it.”

He grins and kisses me on the cheek before bolting toward his room.

Exhaling a noisy sigh, I lean back on the couch. Caleb slides next to me and wraps his arm around my shoulders.

“You were very good with him, Skye.”

“So were you. I bet your students love you.”

“My students are a little older, but they’re still kids. It doesn’t matter if they’re six or sixteen. They all have problems.” Caleb pulls me close and kisses my temple. “It’s late. Can I stay? Or should I go to the apartment tonight?”

“Why would you do that?”

He shrugs. “Eli’s going to start asking questions if I keep sleeping over. I don’t want things to be awkward for any of us.”

I snort. “How could it be awkward? The kid’s parents have already traumatized him. Screwing like rabbits? How does he even know what that means?”

“That’s really bothering you, isn’t it?”

“He’s ten! Did you know what that meant when you were ten years old?”

“No, but I’m not surprised he does. I’m constantly amazed by the things my high school kids say. I know it makes me sound like some old geezer, but kids really do grow up a lot faster these days.”