Chapter 10

Emma

I keep an eye out for Lily’s Mom’s catering car on Saturday night, waiting patiently until it pulls up outside our trailer. When it arrives, I hurry to the door while my Mom pauses by the window.

“It’s unusual for Lily and her Mom to pick you up,” she points out in a suspicious tone.

“They’re catering a big event tonight,” I explain, doing my best to appear casual. “Thought it would be nice to lend a hand.”

“Are they paying you?”

Unease churns in the pit of my stomach. My Dad would be enraged if he knew I was not working hard to pay off his debt tonight. But before I can come up with a convincing lie, the car honks outside.

Startled, I glance at the clock above our stove. It’s later than I thought.

“Got to go, Mom,” I tell her, grabbing my coat from a hook by the front door. “I will see you tomorrow morning.”

“Don’t come back too late,” she warns me. “Or your Dad is going to throw a fit again.”

“I will try to keep that in mind.”

The cold night air stings my face as I sprint to