5

EPOV

"Rumors"

Whoever said money can't buy happiness didn't understand that money means people get shit done for you. It's been a week since I realized I was a lottery winner. In that time, I bought the house in Bremerton, signed the papers, and am currently in escrow. Three weeks from now, I should be able to move in and be out of the city.

I've been dodging calls from my parents this past week, but my sister has been suspiciously quiet. When I didn't agree to send her on her trip, I figured she would have blown me up, but Alice has gone radio silent. Mom even sent me a text last night asking if I had heard from her.

I'm worried, but it would be just like Alice to have us send out a search party only to find her holed up somewhere safe and sound, racking up some outrageous bill.

I tried to go out last night for the first time in years, but once I realized that the local clubs don't open until ten and they only play electronic music, I quickly changed my mind. It wasn't my scene when I was younger, and it certainly isn't now. Instead, I took myself out for a nice meal, and then hit a Home Depot to pick up boxes and packing supplies.

I had a few boxes scattered around my apartment this afternoon in various stages of packing. I wanted to be ready for Lauren's call, telling me the house was mine. I could load up and leave without a second thought.

As I start stacking DVDs into a box, my phone rings. I look at the coffee table to see it's my old phone and my mother's picture on the screen. Ignoring it, along with the dozens of other calls from her this past week, I keep packing. But when I hear a knock on my door before I hear the ping of a voicemail or text message, I panic.

"Edward, I know you're home. I saw your truck."

My sister's voice filters through the front door, and I'm stunned. I haven't heard from her all week, and I was beginning to get a little apprehensive. I glance around wildly, knowing I can't hide the boxes in time, but I gather up the real estate paperwork and the items from the lottery office. Those go into my room under my duvet.

"I'll be right there!" I call out, buying myself a few moments. Alice is nosey at best, sneaky at worst. She'll poke and prod at everything to find out why I've been ignoring our parents; she's always had a sixth sense, and she uses it for evil.

When I finally open the door, I find her casually dressed in jeans and a sweatshirt. I'm pretty sure it's all still designer, but she's going for relaxed, and that's a definite change from the stilettos and micro skirts.

"What are you doing here?" I ask, blocking her way and view into my apartment. She arches an eyebrow.

"Mom thinks you're dead in a ditch somewhere. Are you going to let me in?"

I sigh, moving aside so she can step over the threshold. She doesn't linger by the door, but she doesn't wander either.

"Well, you've done your duty and wellness check. You can let her know that I'm very much alive." I snort, shutting the door and crossing my arms.

Alice turns to look at me. "Mom doesn't know I'm here." She takes a deep breath before leaning on the back of my couch. "I just wanted to let you know that I heard you, and I finally understand about the money thing."

"The money thing?"

"The bank of Edward Cullen; you've been more than generous for too long. I'm sorry I got expelled. I should have just dropped out, and I'm not here asking for a loan." She smiles, but I can't return it. I don't trust this little speech.

"What are you here for?"

She sighs. Alice knows how wary I am of her and our parents after all these years. "That's fair. I'm here to let you know that I got a job. I'm working at a gallery downtown. It doesn't pay that great, but I'm making my own money."

Alice tells me about the job and her responsibilities. She sold a lot of her clothes—the ones that were too impractical for work—and she's moved in with a girlfriend of hers, temporarily. "She's giving me six months to get my feet under me. It's more than I deserve from anyone really, but I'm grateful."

"This all sounds great, Alice. But why are you telling me?" I'm leaning against my closed door, trying to see the silver lining but feeling as if I'll be paying for Alice and her new lifestyle soon enough.

"I just … Mom and Dad don't care. Mom is trying to marry me off to some rich asshole Dad used to work with, and when I told her I got my first paycheck, she asked me for money. Like I said, I get it now. I'm sorry. I just want you to be proud of me and know that I'm not always asking for something from you." Alice is an excellent crier; fake tears are a specialty of hers, but there are none. I'm fairly certain this is the most genuine I've ever seen her.

"I am proud of you. It sounds like you're finally making some good decisions, and of course, that makes me happy for you." I step to her and pull her into a hug. "You're my baby sister. I want to help you, but at this point, you need to prove to me that you deserve my help."

I feel her nod against my chest. "I just want my brother back."

Pulling away, I smile. "How about I order us some food, and you can tell me more about what's going on? I guess no trip to French Polynesia?" She laughs lightly.

"Not unless I win the lottery." I freeze up a little but relax as she continues to laugh. "How about I take you out for a rousing cheap meal, and I'll fill you in?"

I smile at the offer. Alice has never picked up a check once in her adult life. "Sounds good."

As I'm grabbing a jacket and my keys, Alice is walking out into the hall. "Great. Then you can tell me about the boxes and why you have two cell phones."

Shit!