My parents speak in low tones to each other before returning to the conversation.
“I believe you,” my dad says. My mom is quiet.
“Did you have any inkling that her life wasn’t what we thought?”
“There were…signs. Things that didn’t add up. We had our suspicions.” My mother admitting that Anna wasn’t perfect is a first.
“Do you have any idea what she was doing in Vegas?”
“No. Not at all. We don’t interfere in our children’s lives. You know that.” As usual, my mom can’t resist scolding me.
“I’m not done investigating. I need the truth.”
“You might regret what you find.” Once again, Dad’s the voice of reason.
“I know. I’m afraid of that.”
“Anna, send us the credit card bill. We’ll pay it off.”
“Dad, I can’t ask you to do that.”
“You’re taking care of Noah. It’s the least we can do. Let us know what you discover.”
My dad ends the call. He’s never been one for goodbyes. Considering how my parents, especially my mom, coddled Anna all her life, their admissions are unnerving. They knew something wasn’t right with Anna, but they’re the furthest a person can get from being helicopter parents.
I’m relieved they’re paying off the credit card. It’s one less thing to worry about, and they can afford it. Tomorrow I’ll dive back into my sister’s background with a vengeance. I have to know what she was up to even though I’m not going to like what I find.
Is it possible my sister lied about more than her education and her job? Drakos may hold the key to the truth, but I’m reluctant to speak to him. Sure, he relinquished his rights to Noah, but that was years ago. If he’s changed his mind, would the courts give him any consideration? Could I possibly lose Noah?
If only Drakos would call. This morning, he gave the impression he’d see me tonight.
* * *
By 8:00 p.m., I’m a hot mess of conflicting thoughts and emotions. Drakos hasn’t called or texted. Maybe what we had wasn’t as good for Drakos as I thought it was. Maybe he’s done with me. He didn’t sound as though he was last night, but daylight often brings clarity while darkness masks those doubts.
A few minutes after eight, my phone pings. Anxiously, I read the text message.
Drakos: Is Noah there?
I smile because it’s obvious why he’s asking.
Me: No, he’s staying one more night with the Bangs.
Drakos: I’m on my way. We need to talk.
His last message seems ominous, but as usual I’m probably reading too much into a simple text message.
Me: I’ll be here.
He doesn’t respond. I hurry to my bedroom and put on a tight sweater that shows ample cleavage and a short skirt with no underwear. I smirk as I imagine the look in Drakos’s eyes when he sees me. We won’t be talking.
Minutes later, I open the door to Drakos. Immediately I realize something’s wrong. Instead of a welcoming grin or a deep, tender kiss, he glares at me and rakes his gaze up and down my body. When he meets my eyes again, he’s broody, even angry. I don’t understand. Everything was great when he left this morning.
“Is everything okay?” I’m taken aback by the hostility radiating from him.
“Let’s fuck and talk later.”
“Okay, I’m good with that.”
