“Oh my God, if they got married we’d be related.” Tank laughs but quickly falls silent. “Actually, I think my dad has a secret girlfriend right now.”

“Maybe that’s why he’s in such a good mood lately.”

“I guess,” he says. “Sometimes I listen outside his door when he’s on the phone. I can’t make out every word, but I know he’s seeing somebody.”

“You’re cool with it, right?”

“Yeah, I guess I’m cool with it, but what’s up with the secrecy?” He wipes sweat from his brow.

I swallow hard, and I’m suddenly feeling so guilty that I consider telling him about Huey paying me to find dirt on Big Dale, but instead I go, “I’m sure he only keeps things from you for a reason. Being a cop and all, he has to see some sick stuff and deal with some sick people. And with the girlfriend thing … I don’t know, maybe he’s just not ready to tell you.”

“Whatever,” Tank says. “That’s why Sarah amazes me so much. She handles it all so well. If I was a stranger who’d just met her, I’d never guess she comes from a screwed-up family.” Looking me in the eyes, he adds, “I guess that’s why I’m so overprotective of her. I don’t want her to end up like my mom.”

“Yeah,” I say. “I can understand that.”

We gaze skyward for a few moments and notice bats darting around. I find myself feeling guilty for being hot for Sarah. I mean, yeah, she is hot, no doubt about that, but she’s Tank’s sister. Hello? I’m already spying on his dad behind his back, so it’s probably wise to draw the line there. So, as much as it pains me to do so, I decide not to pursue my feelings for Sarah. As of right now, Sarah Foster is taboo.

“This place is depressing,” Tank finally says. He taps the Jim Beam and Marlboros under his shirt. “Let’s go party at the railroad tracks.”

“Genius,” I say. “I can’t even remember the last time I was there.”

We head back through the dark field, the humid air pressing down on us like a heavy weight.

Chapter_7

7

When Justin was in middle school or whatever, he and some friends dug an underground fort into the top of a steep slope that borders the railroad tracks. The tracks run behind the bungalows across the street from our house and overgrown brush covers the slope, making it a sweet hiding place. When Justin and his crew outgrew the place, Tank and I took it over.