I smiled and relaxed into my chair. “Mr. and Mrs. Kingston have been wonderful. I think his foster program is the best thing that has ever happened to me.”
Chapter fourteen
Terri Kingston
“So,Paxtonmettheboard today, and I think they were rather impressed.” Dad speared some asparagus and bit, chewing with a smile.
“Thank you, sir.” Paxton nodded, his neck flushing as he kept his gaze on his plate.
“That’s wonderful,” Mom said. “Does that mean the program is a go?”
“It was a unanimousyes, my dear.”
Mom toasted the air with her glass of wine.
“What are your plans after graduation, son? I think you’d make a great businessman or accountant.”
Paxton shifted in his seat and cleared his throat, then took a drink of his water.
I had to admit, Paxton Ross was even cuter when embarrassed.
I nudged him with an elbow. “Yeah, tell Dad your plan for after high school, Pax.”
His eyes met mine and I batted my lashes, unable to hide a smirk.
“Tell us, Paxton.” Mom patted the corner of her mouth. “No need to be embarrassed.”
“I’m going to be a professional musician, like my dad.”
“No, you’re going to be bigger than your dad. You’re going to be a rockstar.” I ate a bite of beef stroganoff. “And I’m going to be the first fan to buy a ticket.”
He gave me a relieved smile.
“I see.” Dad curled his upper lip, his eyes full of disapproval.
Mom sniffed.
“He’s really good.” They had no right to judge him, especially when they had no idea how well he could play and sing.
“Yeah, he’s gonna teach me to play the guitar, too,” Lana said, licking her fork clean of its sauce.
Mom eyed Paxton, then Lana. “I don’t think knowing how to play a guitar is something a young lady should be proud of.”
“Neither is being a bitch,” I whispered under my breath.
Paxton slumped in his chair, keeping his attention on his meal, methodically chewing.
“Well, you just haven’t had the right guidance, Paxton.” The ice in dad’s drink clinked as he took a sip then set it back onto the table. “Real money and power in the business world is who you know and their connections. I would’ve thought you’d have seen that after your father’s downward spiral.”
The fork froze in midair on the way to Paxton’s mouth. “My dad loved what he did, but when Mom died, he didn’t know how to handle it. I don’t think it was the job or company he kept that sent him on a bad path.” He gripped the utensil in his fist, his knuckles turning white.
Under the table, I laid a hand on his thigh and squeezed.
He relaxed his grip on the fork and set it down, giving me a quick glance filled with gratitude.
“I’m sorry, son. I overstepped my bounds. You’ve had a hard life.” Dad laid his napkin over his plate and stood. “Come with me, everyone. I have something to show Paxton.”
As he passed Paxton, he gave his shoulder a quick squeeze then headed to the hallway. “Come on, guys. Outside.”
