“Luka is a bookie!”
“Huh?” I wake up with Alex looming over me. What’s going on? It feels like I haven’t slept. My head is pounding. “What did you say?”
He jabs me with a finger. “What time did you get home last night?”
When did I get in? I rub my face. “I don’t know—one thirty? I didn’t have bus fare.”
“So what, you walked? All that way? What happened to your buddy Luka?”
“I—he stayed. What’s wrong with you?”
“What’s wrong? We have a big game. Remember? And a bus to catch.”
Right! What time is it? I fling back the covers and feel around on the floor for my jeans. Come on—where’s my cell? I fumble in the pockets.
And blink. It’s only 8:13.
I toss my phone. What the hell? The bus doesn’t leave until nine! Why is Alex so ticked?
Back up, back up—oh no. I hold my head in my hands.
“I asked Dad about Luka last night. Know what he said?”
Here it comes.
“The only Luka I know is a bookie.”
“I can explain—”
But he’s not even listening. “And then Gil said, That makes sense. The car, the phone, all the presents. He said that he hopes you’re not gambling.” He stares down at me. “You’re not, are you?”
Wait—Gil? All of a sudden, I’m on my feet. “What was Gil doing there? Is that why you were so happy I had plans? You wanted to go to the game with him?”
I shoulder past. I don’t need the answers.
He trails behind me, too stunned to speak. But that won’t last. And I definitely don’t want to be there when it wears off.
I turn around to face him. “You know what? Don’t bother waiting for me. I’ve got nothing to say to you anyway.”
I slam the bathroom door in his face.
Ten minutes later I’m on my way. I half expect to see Alex waiting. But he’s probably halfway across the park by now.
Good! I didn’t want to talk to him anyway!
I charge into the park, kicking every stone I see.
I can’t believe Alex gave my seat to G.I. Joe. Or that he told Dad about Luka. Did he tell Dad we hang out? Or did he just ask who Luka is?
Dad never listens to us. Maybe he didn’t pick up on it. Luka wasn’t there to ask.
Yeah, he was busy dumping me for a stupid card game. Some friend. It took me over an hour to walk home.
I kick another stone, and it nearly hits a runner. She gives me a dirty look, and I scowl right back.
I start chewing on what Gil told Alex. The gifts and the phone and the car make sense? What does that mean? Did Dad hear him say that? Did Alex tell Mom?
Halfway across the park, the wind picks up. It starts to drizzle, then rain. Soon my shirt is soaked, and my shoes squish. I swear at the dirty gray sky as loud as I can.
Then I run.