“There’s nothing to apologize for,” my dad insists. “Whatever’s going on, we just hope he gets the help he needs.”
Mr. McAllister—Warren—bristles visibly at this. “Yes. Well…”
“Is he okay?” I ask, hands wringing.
Warren looks surprised by my concern. “You don’t need to worry about him. He’s just waiting it out until—” He goes abruptly silent, and it takes me a moment to realize he’s staring at my chest.
No—thank god.
He’s staring at my necklace.
He pushes back into his seat, eyes rising to mine. “Denise, could I… have a word with your daughter?”
My mom looks taken aback, but ultimately says, “Yes, of course.”
Even still, neither her or my dad stand to leave. Warren watches them blankly, realizing they don’t mean to. “Okay then.” He pats the table awkwardly, eyes shifting to me. “Vandy, why don’t you have a seat.”
My stomach erupts in nervous flutters, but at my parents’ nod, I slide out a chair and perch on the edge of it.
He leans toward me, hands laced together, and haltingly begins, “I want you to know, I… understand. Why it's a secret.” His eyes flick down to the firefly, and I don’t miss the way his eyes flash in recognition. I reach up to clutch it anxiously in my hand, because somehow, there’s a knowing look in his eyes. “But if you know something that can help my son, then—”
My mom cuts in, “I’m sorry. What’s a secret?”
His eyes jump to her, flashing in annoyance. Instead of answering, he continues, “I don't want to put you in this position, but you need to know how serious this is for him. Reyn doesn’t have any second chances here.”
Reyn has his father’s strong features. His green eyes. His sharp angles. When Warren McAllister looks at me with those imploring eyes, it’s eerie. It’s almost like how I felt that first day, seeing Reyn back. Like someone else is walking around in his skin.
“My son told me the girl he gave that necklace to was special,” he says. “I really need you to live up to that.”
My mom’s saying, “What necklace?” and my dad’s asking “Warren, what’s going on?” but Mr. McAllister is pinning me with his gaze and my heart is banging wildly against my ribcage.
I finally break, “I wanted to tell, but I’m not supposed to.”
“What did you want to tell, sweetheart?” my dad asks, looking worried now. “Did Reynolds do something to you?”
Warren ignores him, but I can see the way his jaw goes angrily tight. “Why aren’t you supposed to tell, Vandy? Did Reyn ask you not to tell?”
“No,” I answer, rubbing my palms nervously over my thighs. “Not Reyn.”
“Then who?”
I look nervously at my parents, and there’s no way to back out of this. “His lawyer did.”
Warren obviously wasn’t expecting this answer. He falls back, eyebrows pushed together. “I haven’t even had a chance to contact Steven yet.” He explains to my parents, “Old friend from college. He’s helped in the past.”
I shake my head. “Not… Steven. It’s someone else. I called in a favor?” I say this like a question, feeling small and guilty.
My mom’s face screws up. “A favor to who?”
Warren raises a hand. “Let’s come back to that later. Why did this lawyer ask you not to tell?”
I push out a hard breath, not at all prepared for my parents to hear what I’m about to say. “Because I risk incriminating Reyn. And… and myself. She said I should wait and let her handle it, and I know it looks bad.” I plead to him with my eyes. “I know it looks terrible, but I’m just trying not to make things worse.”
“We’re not the authorities,” Warren says, voice soothing. “There’s no incrimination happening here between the four of us, understand? You can tell us, it’s okay.” He looks at my parents, seeking their agreement. “We’ll just keep it right here, in this room.”
My parents look both mystified and concerned, but they reluctantly nod along.
So.