Crashing Souls by Cynthia A. Rodriguez Read Free Book Online Page A

him.
    He stood. “Yeah. What’s losing one more friend?” He set the football down on my desk and walked out of my room. I expected annoyance and maybe anger. But not Ralph’s sadness.
    I climbed down the steps slowly, hoping to catch him before he left. By the time I made it to the front door, he was pulling out of my driveway in his dad’s pickup truck.
    “Damn it,” I said under my breath.
    “Everything all right?” Tracey asked, stepping into the living room.
    “Yeah. I think I upset Ralph. We got to talking about plans after high school.” I sat, running my hands through my hair, setting it in disarray.
    She chuckled. “You guys never saw eye-to-eye on that subject. I’m thinking he figures you won’t remember, so you won’t go. I wouldn’t worry too much about it. He’s got his own issues to sort through.”
    I nodded and reached for the hair tie on my wrist, pulling my hair back into a bun.
    “You ready for school?” Her eyes were looking for any signs of wariness. I knew it, so I kept my face impassive.
    “Should be fun.”
    She sat next to me. “Is it bad that I’m the only one freaking out about it? I shouldn’t always be freaking out, right?”
    “Don’t freak out, Tracey. Everything will be fine. I’ve almost finished my homework, and everything will be fine.” She was supposed to be comforting me, but I was content to do it for her.
    “You don’t think it’s too soon?” Her eyebrows lifted at the question, still watching for signs of distress.
    Yes.
“No.”
    “We still have the weekend together,” she said. “Want to see a chick flick with me?”
    “ Sure.” I pushed off the couch carefully with a smile. “Let me know when. I’m gonna go finish my homework.”
    “How did I ever get so lucky? A kid who does his homework without having to be told.” She pranced off dramatically, and I couldn’t help but laugh. I was beginning to love Tracey. Not because she was my aunt but because she was a wonderful, quirky person.
    I was lucky. Dex had been lucky. For all of the trouble he’d given Tracey, she was an unwavering support system who’d loved him through it all—his biggest cheerleader.
    Yes, I was lucky.
    •••
    When we pulled up to the house after the movie, I saw Ralph sitting on our stoop. I got out and, using one crutch, walked up to him.
    “You good, man?” I asked, tempted to sit my crippled body next to his.
    He looked up, his eyes red. He looked tired.
    “I’m good. I feel like shit but I’m good. Mind if I crash here? I promise not to bitch at you anymore.” There was a ghost of a smile, but that was all I got.
    “Language, Ralph,” Tracey said as she sidestepped us to open the front door. “You’re always welcome here. Just call your parents and let them know.” She let herself in and I stood, watching my breath leave my mouth in clouds against the cold air.
    Ralph stood. “You all right with it?”
    “Only if you don’t bitch at me,” I said with a chuckle, clapping my free hand over his shoulder. When he smiled, I wanted to sigh. As much as I liked Ralph, I hated when I felt like I didn’t know what was going on with him. I didn’t feel entitled to the details of his life. I figured it’d come with time. If he needed me, he’d let me know. If he needed space, he’d stop coming around. I was only going to follow his lead.
    “Look,” he started as he entered my room, rubbing his hands over his face. “Shit, I don’t know. I don’t like that you’re going. But I’m proud of you. Always have been.”
    I nodded, not sure if I should respond.
    “That accident changed a lot of things. But I’m glad I have you, Dex. Don’t forget that, not even when I do.” He sat on my bed and I sat at my desk, spinning my chair to face him.
    “We’re fine in my book,” I said, unsure if anything else was worth saying.
    He looked up and laughed. “I guess that’s all that matters. Where’s the remote? Can’t miss the game just because my mom