Read Lennon's Jinx for Free Online

anymore.
    In
the garage, I slide into the Highlander where Currie and Zoe have already
belted themselves into the backseat. Currie insists I do the same before
backing out of the garage.
    That’s
when I remember the orange Charger. “Sh…oot,” I mutter.
    Currie
shakes her finger at me. “Almost.”
    “I
didn’t say a bad word.”
    “It
was close,” Currie says while Zoe giggles. “We can’t be late.”
    I
run back into the house, tear down the hall, and throw open Mom’s door. “Hey,
you’re blocking the driveway.”
    My
mom’s bunkmate rolls over. He’s hairy all over and disgusting.
    I
wince at the sight of him. “Hurry up.”
    “Here
you go, kid.” He throws the keys without looking at me. His arms wrap around
Mom, and I grimace.
    Kid,
my ass. I’ve been managing this family for many years now.
    I
zip out of there and move his car. I pitch his keys on the counter while
considering chucking them in the garbage disposal, but that would mean he’d be here
when we got home.
    When
I slide back into the SUV, Currie taps her Gucci watch. “We can’t be late.”
    “I’m
going as fast as I can.”
    “Don’t
give Lennon such a hard time,” Zoe says. “It’s your mom’s fault.”
    Currie’s
forehead crinkles with hurt because Mom has plenty of time for losers but
little time for Currie.
    “I
love you,” I say.
    Currie
folds her arms across her chest and stares out the window. “You’re just my
annoying brother, not my father.”
    I’d
like to think her words don’t lance my heart, but they do.
    I
drive to the girls’ private school. Currie is Einstein smart, and this school
caters to the talented. I found it online for her since she deserves better
than a public education.
    I
tap my cheek as I stop in front of the school. “Where’s my kiss?”
    Currie
sighs and glances around to make sure her friends aren’t watching. “Oh
brother.”
    “That’s
who I am, so don’t forget it.”
    Zoe
undoes her seatbelt and gives me a loud smack on my cheek. “Don’t be mean to
Lennon.” She swats Currie.
    “All
our friends think you’re a hunky monkey,” Zoe whispers into my ear.
    “Good
to hear. Groupies of all ages.”
    Currie
rolls her eyes and plants a light kiss on my chin. “Don’t be late today. I have
a recital,” she says this like I don’t know. She slings her backpack over one
shoulder and runs to the school, chatting nonstop with Zoe.
    Other
than dealing with Mom’s booty buddies, this morning ritual makes my day. I wave
then drive to my public high school. The one I deserve.
    On
my way over, my mind works on why Jonathan needs to talk to me. He never wants
to talk to me, just Currie, which suits me just fine. The fact he wants more
time with her scares the hell out of me. What else does he want? Will he get a
court order for full custody before I turn eighteen? Hard knots bunch my
shoulders then work their way into my gut. I can’t let that happen.
    Inside
the school, Bailey waits for me at my locker. I’m never sure why. It’s not like
we date. It’s not like I’ve ever asked any girl on a date.
    She
walks me to my class anyway. “See you at lunch?”
    “I’ve
got errands to run.” I don’t really, but I like my space and a big juicy Five
Guys burger. I only get real food when I’m not home.
    I
nap in English until I’m called down to the counselor’s office. What does
Webster want this time?
    When
I get there, I almost run into Jinx, which isn’t normal. She’s smart, so we
don’t have any classes together, except choir, and she’s never called out for acting
up. I wonder what she’s doing here and not in one of her special AP classes.
    Jinx
glances up at me and snarls. “You.”
    My
first reaction would normally be to say something smart like ‘the one and
only,’ but my gaze fixes on the purple bruise haloing her eye. Did she piss off
the wrong guy at the party last night? Did Alex do that? He’s been caught roughing
up a girl before.
    I
gently cup her