I shouldn't have said anything more, but him thinking I'd leave my sister made me angry. "My brother's inside too; he's fifteen. I work some days and some nights; whenever I can get the hours. It's not ideal, but it's our only choice. My brother is very responsible." I spoke so fast, my words tumbled together.

Reed gave a loud sigh. "Fuck."

I did have some pride left because it came flaring back to life. "Don't fucking pity us."

I threw open my door and so did ...