“I didn’t concede. I had Park Place. That’s a draw.”
Mila yawns. “Who cares? This game is the worst. Don’t you have any movies or anything?”
“No.” I take her glass off the table and place a coaster underit. “This is a lakeside retreat. You don’t come here to watch television.”
“You sound like a timeshare seller.” She smiles lazily, and I try to hide my annoyance.
“Well.” I sit down on the leather armchair. “How may I entertain you?”
She falls into Chase’s lap and fishes an apple slice out of her glass. “I don’t know. What else is there to do?”
“We could go night swimming,” Emily says. “Skinny-dipping if you’re feeling daring.”
“Nope.” I begin to gather glasses. “No drinking and swimming. Too dangerous.”
“But, Mom,” Chase whines.
“House rules,” I say. He knows the rules. And they’re fair. It’s not like I don’t allow swimming after a glass of wine or a beer. But all of us have been really going at it tonight. And when that’s the case, it’s just not safe. There have been tragedies on this lake before. At least a couple every year. A girl drowned not far from our house when I was a baby, and my parents immediately put me in infant swim lessons. And let us not forget my attempted murder via the dripping man. My dad has hammered these rules into my head since I was allowed to step onto the boat. Not only to keep me safe, but because we’d be personally liable if someone else had an accident on our property. My father the lawyer, ladies and gentlemen. But as coldly pragmatic as it may sound, he’s right. And if I sound coldly pragmatic, I’m right too.
“I want to see the stars,” Mila says. She grabs Chase’s hand and tugs him toward the back door. “Come take me.”
Chase looks helplessly back at me. “Sorry, guys. I’ve been claimed.”
“I said no.” I don’t mean to say it so sharply, but all three of them look up at me, a little surprised.
“Sorry.” Mila exchanges a bewildered look with Chase.
“She didn’t want you here,” Emily says.
I stare at her furiously. “That is not true.”
Emily shrugs. “I just think we should be honest. You said we should push her out like the lady no one cares about inThe Sound of Music. The gold digger.”
Mila looks so hurt for a second that I want to hug her and shake Emily at the same time. It’s true, but it’s notthetruth. Parts of the truth are just as deceitful as blatant lies. But Mila’s expression transforms so quickly, so smoothly, that I see my window for forgiveness close forever right before my eyes. “The one who doesn’t inherit seven brats? Easy pass.”
I turn to Emily, but all that comes out is one word. “Why?” I already know the answer, though. I betrayed her. I chose Mila. And as my punishment, she took Mila away.