"Nick." Evie put both of her hands on his shoulders, a little awkwardly because of her cast, and leveled her gaze at him, dead serious and relentless. "Stop freaking out. You're not going to do anything you're not ready to do. My rules." She paused a second to make sure he had that down. "I have a job and school's over in a couple weeks. I take care of the bills with Marissa and Dad's checking account. I've been doing it since I was about thirteen. We have time."
She took a long breath. That was the longest run of sentences she'd gone without swearing for a long time. And it didn't last long. "So, Jack's a little fucking bitch. He's gone now. It doesn't matter. You and me are gonna do just great without him. You'll see." She reached her arms around him for another hug, hoping that it would be enough to stop the burning feeling of anger rising in her that Nicky was as unhappy as this because of someone who was supposed to be family.