Read Trouble from the Start for Free Online

favorite dog.” She chomped on her crunchy ice cream mixture.
    â€œThis week,” I teased.
    â€œYeah, I can be fickle about which dog is my favorite, but not about Jeremy. He is my everything. But we’re not here to discuss me. We’re here to discuss how you are going to survive a trouble magnet living in your house.” Her curly red hair flowed around her shoulders. In spite of her coloring, she didn’t have a lot of freckles because she did everything to protect her skin from the sun.
    â€œHe’s not actually in the house,” I explained. “He’s in the apartment over the garage.”
    â€œCan’t blame your parents for taking those precautions. I heard he started shoplifting in middle school.”
    I remembered hearing that, too. Someone we went to school with had seen Fletcher hauled out of the store by the cops. Now I had to wonder if one of those cops had been my dad when he was still a patrolman.
    â€œI wouldn’t want him walking my hallways late at night,” Kendall continued.
    I shrugged, suddenly uncomfortable with her assessment. “We don’t know for sure he shoplifted.”
    She gave me a pointed stare. “Really?”
    â€œLook, it was a couple of years ago. Whatever. I don’t think my parents are worried about him stealing. I think they gave him the FROG so he could have some privacy.It’s difficult living with people you don’t know.” Every summer I adjusted to a new person within the family. I didn’t mind because I knew we were doing some good, but sometimes it was a challenge. This summer especially was going to fit that description. “By the way, I’m not sure Dad wants everyone to know he’s living with us, so don’t tell anyone. I just told you so that if you come over you won’t be freaked out.”
    â€œI don’t freak out.”
    â€œOkay, so maybe I was freaking out and just needed to talk. But still, it’s just between us. You know how my parents are about protecting the kids they bring to the house.”
    â€œBut Fletcher’s not really a kid.”
    â€œStill, the same rules apply.”
    â€œI won’t tell a soul, well, except Jeremy, but he won’t tell anyone.”
    I watched my ice cream melting. I wasn’t really in the mood for it. “Fletcher says he’s not staying long. I probably shouldn’t have even told you, but I needed to talk about it because he’s not my dad’s usual project.”
    â€œJust don’t make him yours.”
    I jabbed my spoon into my ice cream and glared at her. “What does that mean?”
    â€œI know you want a boyfriend and I know it’s been hard for you since Jeremy and I got together.”
    I gritted my teeth and took a deep breath. I didn’t oftenget irritated with Kendall, but her comment had struck a nerve.
    â€œI’m happy for you,” I assured her. “And I don’t want a boyfriend. I want the right boyfriend. I figure I’ve waited a long time, so he’ll probably be the one and only, someone worth waiting for.”
    â€œAt college. After this week, we’ll start the countdown for that.”
    I loved Kendall, I really did, but I wanted my life to be more than a series of countdowns.

Chapter 4
FLETCHER
    This was such a bad idea.
    Last night when Avery’s dad had said, “You’re coming with me,” in that authoritative voice he had, I’d packed my duffel bag without complaint because I understood that the alternative was a lot worse.
    Now, sitting on a couch in a room over a garage, I felt like I was losing control over my life. Detective Watkins had laid down rules about curfews and behavior under his roof. I wasn’t used to all that. I came and went as I wanted. No one cared. Now suddenly there were expectations. Not that I didn’t appreciate what he was doing for me, but he could loosen the chains a bit.
    I’d felt