“Right,” he responds with a puzzled stitch in is brow.He moves toward me but hesitates with my dad watching.“I’ll see you in the morning.”
Your dad asked me to meet himat his old office this morning,” Jonathan says, locking eyes with me briefly before returning to stare into his coffee cup.
“Did he say why?”I ask at the same time Collin asks, “What did you do?”
Collin continues, “Did you lay out one of the guys talking about Sadie’s legs at the talent show?”
I adjust in my chair to gawk at Collin.“What are you talking about?”
“No,” Jonathan cuts us off.“He’s picking up the last of his things and said it’ll be quiet there.”
“He wants to talk to you alone,” I say more to myself than them.Which means he doesn’t want me or Mom to know about it.“Is there anything he was handling for you before the election?”
Jonathan shakes his head.“I’m thinking it has something to do with last night.He didn’t look very happy.”
Mom’s worry has always been about appearances, thanks to the election.Dad’s concern has been Jonathan’s temperament—and protecting me from getting in the middle of him and Hal.Except Jonathan doesn’t live at home now.My dad has to realize it’s not the same situation anymore.
“Does he know you moved out?”I ask, hoping this explains everything.
“I’m pretty sure the whole town knows,” Collin says, squashing my hope.
Jonathan’s fixated on the plate of food he’s barely touched.“Is he afraid I’ll become my father?”
I brush his hand, seeking his attention.When he lifts his dark lashes to find me, I make sure he sees the truth in my eyes, in my soul.“Idon’t believe it.That’s all that matters, right?”
He cups my hand and kisses the palm.
Collin interrupts our connection.“Stop undressing each other with your eyes.”
“You’re forever an idiot,” Jonathan quips with a shake of his head.
“Do you… want me to come with you?”I ask tentatively.
“Me too,” Collin insists, like he’s obviously coming if I am.
I expect Jonathan to shoot us down immediately.“Yeah,” surprises us.“But there’s a reason he wants to talk to me alone, so… maybe just listen outside the door?”
“Eavesdrop?”My stomach constricts at the thought of it.Probably has something to do with being a lawyer’s daughter and havingconfidentialitydrilled into my head from an early age.
“Awesome,” Collin declares.“He’ll never know we’re there.”
I give an imperceptible nod.My stomach is a writhing mess.When I study Jonathan, I recognize an emotion I know well.He’s nervous.And that only intensifies what I’m feeling.His eyes find mine, and I give him a weak smile.“It’ll be okay.”
I’m trying to convince myself as much as him.I don’t think either of us believes it.
Jonathan walks through receptionahead of us.No one is in the office, which is what I expected.My dad has a corner office past the large conference room.I’ve walked these halls pretty much my entire life.I could probably find my way around in the dark.
“Why are your eyes closed?”Collin asks, lowering his voice.
“I don’t think I can do this.”My breakfast gurgles in the back of my throat.
“What’s the worst that can happen?He tells him to stay away from you and threatens to have him arrested if he doesn’t?”
When my face pales, Jonathan adds with a scowl, “He can’t do that, right?”
“If he has an issue with me attending Penn State, that’s between us.Our family is big on talking things out.He wouldn’t talk with you without us.”
“Then why do you look like you’re about to hurl?”Collin asks.
