Fallen Fourth Down (Fallen Crest #4)(101)

I sighed in defeat before knocking loudly on the door. Lights turned on in the living room, and then I heard the door unlocking.

Rick opened the door and frowned at me. “Yes?”

“Um…the door wouldn’t open for me,” I said.

“Probably not since I changed the lock.”

“Why would you do that?” I asked even though I knew the answer.

“You’re eighteen now, Claire. You’re no longer my problem.”

I laughed humorlessly. “Seriously? You’re kicking me out on my birthday?”

“Yeah, I guess I am,” he said without remorse.

“Can I at least get my clothes and stuff?”

He shrugged. “Make it quick.”

He moved out of the way, and I hurried past him toward the room that I shared with Shelly.

Shelly was a foster kid, too. She’d been here when I arrived. She was only ten, but I’d found myself gravitating toward her from the beginning. We would look out for each other. I hated to think about her being here alone. I was pretty sure I was the only person in this house who cared about her.

I passed by the boys’ bedroom on the way to my room. Besides Shelly and me, two other foster kids lived here. Kevin was thirteen, and Jerimiah was eight. I wasn’t as close to them as I was to Shelly, but I’d still miss them as well.

I opened the door to my room and flipped on the light switch. Shelly was sound asleep in the bottom bunk. I moved quietly around the room, shoving my clothes and personal items into the suitcase I’d carried around since I was first put into foster care. It didn’t take me long to pack. I had very few clothes and even less personal items.

My eyes misted as I picked up the only thing I had left of my mom—a locket. I opened it up to see the tiny photo of her and me. I was only a few months old in the picture. My mom had been killed in a car accident right before I turned three. Her parents were also dead, and no one knew who my father was. With no family to take me in, I had been thrown into the foster system.

I closed my eyes and tried to remember my mother. As always, nothing came to me, except for the way she’d smelled. All I knew about her was that she’d smelled like strawberries. I closed the locket and slipped it into my jeans pocket. Once it was safely tucked away, I closed my suitcase and glanced down at Shelly. I hated to wake her up, but I couldn’t leave without saying good-bye.

I crouched down next to her and gently poked her a few times.

Her eyes slowly opened, and she stared up at me. “Claire? What’s wrong?” she asked as she sat up.

“I have to leave, kiddo. My time’s up,” I said as I tried to smile at her.

“What? Why?” she asked, panic filling her voice.

“Rick’s giving me the boot. I gotta go.”

“He can’t do that!” she cried angrily.

“I’m eighteen, so technically, he can.”

Shelly’s eyes filled with tears as she sprang off the bed and wrapped her tiny arms around me. “I’m going to miss you so much.”

I hugged her back tightly. “I’ll miss you, too. Take care of yourself, and keep out of trouble, okay?”

“You know I will. Will I see you again?”

I pulled away and cupped her cheek. “I don’t know. Maybe someday.”

She nodded as her shoulders sagged in defeat. “Please be careful.”

“Always. I love you.”

“Love you, too,” she whispered.

I pushed her back into bed and tucked her in. I kissed her forehead before pulling away. I stood and grabbed my suitcase off the floor. I gave her one last smile before I opened the door and slipped silently into the hallway.

Rick was still standing by the front door when I walked into the living room.

“Did you get everything?” he asked.

“Yeah.”

“Good, because you’re not welcome back here. Got me?”

“Yeah, I got you.” I shoved past him.

I didn’t look back as I walked to my car. I tossed my suitcase into the backseat before climbing behind the wheel. I backed out of the driveway and headed toward the main part of town. I couldn’t stop the tears from falling as I realized just how screwed I was.

I had fifty bucks to my name until I would get paid next week. I just hoped that I could make decent tips until then, or I’d be living on air. There was no way I’d be able to afford an apartment, even a shitty one, for at least a few months. I had no money, no friends, no credit, nothing. I was completely alone. The only thing I did have was my car.

I gently patted the dashboard. “Looks like it’s just you and me now, ugly Christmas car.”

I drove back to work and parked behind the building. There was no way I would park on the street. With my luck, a cop would come by and notice that every sticker on my car was expired. I didn’t need a tow bill that I couldn’t pay for. I shut off the engine and reclined the seat back until I was looking up at the roof of the car.

At least it’s not cold out, I thought to myself as I closed my eyes.

My entire body was rigid as I tried to control the emotions raging inside me. I tried to find the positives, but aside from the fact that I wouldn’t have to deal with Rick anymore, there were none. I attempted to shut off my mind, so I could sleep.

I would be working the morning shift tomorrow. I needed the money too much to oversleep and miss my shift. Plus, I wouldn’t want to do that to my boss, Bob. He was a really nice guy, too nice for his own good sometimes.