How My Summer Went Up in Flames Read Online Free PDF Page A

But let’s put your effed-up feelings about Joey aside. Aren’t you forgetting the bigger issue here?”
    “Please don’t remind me about the thing.”
    “Temporary restraining order? I’m just sayin’. You’ll go crazy sitting around waiting for your court date. Remember what your attorney told your parents?”
    “The farther away the better,” I mumble. Actually his exacts words were “out-of-state equals good.”
    The lawyer’s right. Lilliana’s right. Everyone’s right. And I’m cranky. I need a pick-me-up.
    “Let’s go to the pet store.”
    Just Pets sells just that. Hamsters, fish, geckos, birds—small critters. But they also have dog and puppy adoptions, so I stop by whenever I’m at the mall. I’d love a second dog, but I wouldn’t want to upset Pony. He thinks he’s my baby. Anyway, I’m in no position to be asking for anything right now.
    Just Pets has an adorable fox terrier mix available for adoption. He’s got a mostly white face with a black and brown patch over one eye. I want so badly to hold him for a few minutes, but I can’t get his hopes up only to send him back. Even at a distance he’s got me grinning like a fool and Lilliana has to drag me away from his crate.
    “I’m getting hungry,” Lilliana whines. “Let’s get some shopping done before lunch.”
    “Okay, okay. I’m coming.”
    “What are we looking for exactly?” Lilliana asks as we walk toward Nordstrom’s.
    “Anything that will look cute after sitting in a car for hours.”
    “Wrinkle free. Check,” Lilliana says.
    “And light,” I say. “Do you know Arizona is, like, a hundred and seven degrees this time of year? Literally. Is that crazy or what?”
    “Your parents are sending you to hell. Hell with no ocean.” Lilliana then seems to remember she’s been trying to make me feel better about this road trip and attempts to smooth over her snarkiness. “But you’ll probably get to see the Grand Canyon, right? Or will you? Where exactly are you going, anyway?”
    I look at Lilliana and raise my eyebrows. The deeper meaning is not lost on me. On a more literal level, I know where we start and where we finish, but what about that whole middle part? It dawns on me that I have no idea. I’m still in denial that this is happening. I meant to read Matty’s updated itinerary, but every time I think about it, it just makes me tired.
     • • •
    The shopping trip is going well; I buy some really cute shorts, tank tops, and sandals. Clothes and accessories make me feel better. I maximize my dollars by picking items that can be mixed and matched easily.
    We’re about to stop for lunch in the food court when we see him. He’s holding hands with that bleached-out thing he calls a girlfriend, and they’re standing in line at the new juice bar. Lilliana stops mid-sentence and follows my gaze.
    “Rosie,” she says, clutching my right arm with bothher hands. I’m not sure if she’s steadying me or holding me back.
    Joey doesn’t see me, but the ho does, and when our eyes meet, she gives me this smirk and kisses him right on the lips—for a while. Oh really now? She must mistake me for someone with patience. She shoots me another look, prompting Joey to turn in my direction. Our eyes lock and I hate myself, but I get that hopeful flutter in my chest. He opens his mouth like he’s going to say something, then puts his arm around Blondie and drags her away.
    “How many feet are between me and that a-hole right now?” I ask. I move to follow them, but Lilliana digs her nails into my arm. In that moment, I am so freaking glad I blew up his car that if I hadn’t already done it, I’d be in his driveway with a gas can and a lighter.
    “Come on,” Lilliana says, and steers me toward the exit. “We’re out of here.”
    Neither of us speaks until we get to the car. I sit in the passenger seat, my heart pumping like a double-kick drum. My skin feels hot. The rapid rise and fall of emotions makes me dizzy.