He smacks my arms before heading over to his desk, pulling out two small glasses and a bottle of whiskey. He pours it into the glasses, handing me one.
“To you. For becoming your own man.” He says, taking a swig. I put the glass up to my lips, letting the liquid swirl in my mouth a moment before swallowing.
“But don’t think for a second that I won’t hesitate to make your life a living hell if you cause this family a moment of embarrassment. Your girlfriend is on thin ice at this school. Can’t have much of a relationship if she’s not here anymore.” He says with a gleam in his eyes.
Yep. There he is. The father I know.
“It’s been a nice chat, but I need to get back and shower. I’ll be seeing you around.” He says, smiling at me as if the flash of teeth will somehow fix everything he’s done to me.
I stalk back to the house, watching the sun rise, it flickers through the trees making the shadows look long and menacing.
“Hey, where’d you go?” Salem asks, taking the cup of coffee I made her from me.
“My dad messaged me. Your family’s deaths were in the paper. He was less than pleased.”
She winces, blowing on the steaming hot liquid. It’s more creamer than coffee, just the way she likes it.
“I don’t want to deal with people today.” She says, taking a sip.
“So, don’t. Fuck’em. Give them that cute as fuck angry look and maybe hiss like a feral cat. That’ll keep people away.”
“I could always stop showering.”
I scrunch up my nose. “Veto.”
She giggles and the sound cracks through the mood that my father put me in this morning. I feel my shoulders relax as I sit next to her, palming her thigh with my hand.
“Why do you smell like whiskey?” Salem asks, turning her head to me. She has a crease across her cheek from the pillow. I rub my finger along it. “And what the fuck is on your face?”
“Because my father thought it would be a great bonding moment while he threatened me.”
“What did he threaten you with?” She asks scrunching up her nose.
“Us, my music. Basically, wanting me to be a clone of him and do everything he asks without question.”
“Did he hit you?” She cradles my cheek in her hand. I nod.
“So, what are you going to do about it?” She asks, taking a sip of her coffee.
“I’m done trying to prove myself to him. I’m going to do what I want, and that means being with you and playing with my band. I already contacted the guys. We’re set to perform at Diablos this weekend. Feel like coming out to sing with us?”
She gives me a coy smile. “Did you have any songs in mind?”
“Why don’t you pick one and we can work on it with the band this week.”
“I’d like that.” She plants a kiss on my lips, curling herself up into my side. I place my head on hers, and breathe in the smell of her vanilla shampoo, letting myself enjoy this moment of happiness.
ChapterFifty-Seven
SALEM
SONG: SALEM’S SECRET BY PETER GUNDRY
When news of Pierce’s death hit the students, I thought the attention from them was unbearable. But now with my family’s death on top of that, the whispers and stares are even louder and more obvious.
Thankfully, Javelynn and Skye are by my side most of the day, distracting me as best they can from the snickering gossips. At least some of the teachers are sympathetic, offering me words of encouragement and their condolences.
Around lunch, my grandmother’s lawyer calls, notifying me that the dental records confirmed my family’s bodies. I’ll need to meet with her to finalize the terms in their wills, but I’m granted access to my accounts. For the first time, I’ll be able to have full control over my life and finances and it feels like a weight has been lifted.
