“It’s nothing,” I lie, reaching for another to get her off my back. “I’m on my period.”
Her nostrils flare, but she accepts the cover story. I pull my hair into a ponytail, but the next words out of her mouth have me freezing partway through.
“Get ready.”
“For what?”
“We’re going out to dinner.”
“I’m not really hungry.” I don’t say it’s because Thea made an entire feast for the picnic earlier since I snuck out to be there.
Mom gives me a triumphant look that makes me tense. “If you cooperate, I’ll reconsider the road trip.”
I wait for her to elaborate more, but she turns on her heel and leaves without closing my door. A bout of irritation skitters across my patience. Nothing agitates me more than her opening my door to bug me with her commands, then leaving it open on her way out. How hard is it to just close the door like when she found it?
Whatever, more importantly I’m going to do as she says because I want to go on my road trip. I’ve been making plans, but everything will be so much easier if I don’t have to do it behind her back.
Understanding hits me as soon as we arrive at the ritzy steak house downtown. Tonight is all about image and reputation. Probably another lesson so I don’t “run away” again. This is the worst way to teach me, stirring my resentment of my parents.
Because Sam Blake is here, waiting for us in front of the restaurant in slacks and a dress shirt.
“Samuel,” Dad says warmly. “Good to see you, son. We’ve missed you.”
“Chief. Mrs. Landry, you look beautiful tonight,” Sam greets, saving me for last. His voice drops lower. “Maisy.”
I watch in horror as he shakes Dad’s hand. Boyish dimples appear beside his broad smile as he puts his hand at the small of my back without my permission.
I throw an accusing glare at Mom, but her expression says it all—do not make a scene.
Road trip. Road trip. Road trip.
It’s worth it.
Gritting my teeth, I shove down the urge to throw Sam’s hands off of me. I wish Holden didn’t have a paper due for a summer class so I wasn’t here alone. Actually, I wish I could’ve done Holden’s paper for him so he could be here, because at this rate I’d much rather stay home doing homework than sit through this torture. Mom and Dad finally got what they’ve always wanted from me. Who knew all they had to do was trap me at a public place with a douchebag almost-boyfriend?
“Shall we?” Dad suggests, guiding Mom inside.
Sam follows suit, nudging my back. I shoot him an unimpressed look, chanting about my road trip in my head. My feet feel like lead blocks as I trudge into the restaurant.
Of course Mom picked the most upscale establishment in town to set the stage for this puppet show. The mayor and his wife are dining at their table in the prime corner booth. Lucas’ parents, the Saints, are nearby. So is Connor’s mom that he doesn’t talk to, the city council chair. I hear she’s been angling for the mayor’s office if her run for senate doesn’t work out.
Every prominent face of the elite and powerful in town fill the steakhouse and they don’t miss Mom and Dad’s arrival. Several of them wave, or stop us to say hello while we’re escorted to our table by a host. This is how the upper echelon of Ridgeview works. They all rub elbows with each other and pour on the smarmy charm, trading favors and securing deals outside of their offices. It makes my stomach turn, but when I take a step back from the mayor’s table, I only put myself more soundly in Sam’s embrace.
As we finally take a seat, I’m directly across from Dad and everything I’ve read up on Fox comes rushing back. Anger sparks to life in my chest and I use the menu folio as a cover to peer at my father over the top edge without him noticing.
He’s aged, but maintains the handsomeness of his younger years, making him look distinguished, like someone who belongs in his position in the police department. Like someone who should be trustworthy that upholds the integrity of the law. Instead of the warmth of when I was a little girl, his clear blue eyes have become sharp, and his mouth sets into a more natural frown these days. Now all I see is the imposing man meant to protect this town.
But how much protecting is he really doing if police reports are suspiciously missing information?
The time he and Fox’s mom took the three of us to an amusement park for the day flits across my memories. He was always ready to get us to smile, whatever it took. I still don’t get how the guy who used to fling tiny bites of food in our old kitchen for Holden and I to practice catching in our mouths is the same man who could put Fox in foster care. That’s not the man who raised me and I don’t know how to process it.
Distrust tugs at my senses as I watch Dad’s tight smile while Mom asks Sam about his college plans.
“University of Illinois in Chicago? How wonderful,” she praises. “Maisy has an early acceptance to Northwestern University.”
“You must be proud.” Sam shoots me a smirk that’s supposed to be nice. I want to punch it. He drapes his arm across the back of my chair, playing with my hair. “Northwestern isn’t far from where I’ll be. Same city.”
“It’s not,” Mom agrees with a calculating gleam in her eyes. “You’ll be able to visit each other without having to carry on your relationship long distance.”