The Other Side by Joshua McCune Read Free Book Online Page B

attention.
    For the first time in more than half a year, I almost feel normal. Just two sisters out for an early breakfast.
    â€œThere’s no cake,” Allie says, pouting at the menu.
    â€œCheesecake.”
    â€œThat’s not real cake.”
    â€œThey have pie.”
    â€œI want cake.”
    The waitress, Estelle, drops off a Pepsi for me and a Mountain Dew and a Dr Pepper for Allie. “What can I get you?”
    â€œThe lumberjack trio.” Hash browns, three pieces of bacon, three buttermilk pancakes, three scrambled eggs, and three sausages smothered in gravy. More food than I could eat in a day, but I don’t care, I’m gonna eat it all.
    Estelle nods to Allie, who’s full-on glaring at the menu.“What about you, little lady?”
    â€œDo you have any cake?” I ask.
    â€œWe have cheesecake. Frozen.”
    Allie thrusts the menu at our waitress. “That’s not real cake.”
    Estelle shrugs. “We got pie. Fresh as of last night.”
    â€œThat’s not cake either, no, no.” She stands and pulls on her coat. “Where’s there cake?”
    People are definitely paying attention to us now. Most in that embarrassed covert glancing sort of way, but four teenage boys on the other side of the diner are staring at us in that same intent manner as EMT.
    â€œAllison, sit down,” I hiss. She flops into the booth and sulks. “Is there anywhere else that serves cake?”
    â€œThere’s a bakery on the other side of town. Won’t be open for a few hours, though,” Estelle says.
    â€œShe’ll have the cheesecake,” I say. Estelle shrugs again, collects my menu, and walks away. “Allison—”
    â€œIt’s Kim, remember? I wanted cake.”
    â€œI know, but we can’t cause problems. We have to keep a low profile.” I glance toward the boys’ table. One of them has a tablet out. Another waves at me. I scowl, pull my ski cap lower, and grab the wallet from my pack. I put money on the table to cover our order. “Come on, Allie, let’s get outta here.”
    â€œMaybe cheesecake is all right.”
    â€œWe can get cake later,” I say. The guys have clustered around the computer tablet.
    â€œBut we have to have it now, yes, yes,” Allie says. “You said . . .” She chokes up.
    I join her on the other side of the booth, keeping one eye on the boys’ table, wishing for my gun. “What’s wrong?”
    â€œI have to eat my cake before you finish breakfast.” She sniffles. “That way you can’t collect on our bet. Cheesecake can count, right?”
    I kiss her on the head. “Of course it does.” I call over Estelle and hand her the money. “Could you box that cheesecake, please? Don’t worry about the rest.”
    â€œShe has to be all right,” Allie says. “It’s my fault, my fault. Always my fault.”
    â€œIt’s not your fault, Allie. You know that.” I zip up her jacket. “Grackel made her decision. You didn’t do anything wrong.”
    â€œYes I did. I didn’t want to tell you, but . . .”
    â€œWhat is it?”
    She shakes her head. “You’re going to be mad at me, yes, yes.”
    â€œOut with it. I won’t be mad.”
    â€œI blabbed to the Greens,” she blurts, then erupts in tears.
    I hug her tight, half to comfort her, half to muffle her.“It’s okay.” I try to sound calm, but my voice comes out a hushed whisper. “When . . . when was this?”
    â€œLast week,” she mumbles into my jacket. “I’m sorry. I know I wasn’t supposed to, but you had Colin, and Arabelle was spending all that time flying with Grackel, and—”
    â€œShhh.” How damn long does it take someone to pack up a piece of frozen cheesecake?
    â€œWhy didn’t you talk to Maren or Syren or any of the other Reds?”
    â€œI