“Just coffee.Thanks.”
“Are you sure you’re alright?”Collin looks genuinely concerned.
He’s right; Jonathan always eats, no matter when.Maybe… he doesn’t want to order anything so he can leave as soon as possible and won’t have to continue sitting across from me.
Why am I having these paranoid thoughts?We’re fine.We’ll always be fine.No matter what.Even if he can barely look at me.Or speak to me.Or text me.I mean… we’re fine.
I collapse back against the chair.
No, we’re not.And it’s about time I fixed this, before I really do lose my mind.
“Looks like you found trouble again.”Officer Pratt seems to appear out of nowhere, looming over Jonathan.“You didn’t happen to be at that party on Floyd Lane last night, Jonathan?”
“Don’t know what you’re talking about.”Jonathan flashes him a glance, then sits back with his arms crossed.
Officer Pratt plants his hands on the table so he’s within inches of Jonathan’s face.Jonathan stares straight ahead, over my shoulder.I glare at Officer Pratt, hoping he can feel the penetration of my stare like laser beams.I’m pretty useless, I know.
“We’re investigating an assault.A member of the Greenfield football team, who happened to be at the party last night, ended up with a broken arm.”He pauses for a reaction that he doesn’t get.“Who gave you the fat lip?”
“I did,” Collin confesses.“Wrestling over the gaming remote.”
Officer Pratt eyes him like he’s only now realizing he exists.“I don’t believe you.”His attention falls back to Jonathan.“If I discover it was you, you’ll be finding yourself in the back of my car… again.And this time, you can’t rely on any technicalities to set you free.Especially since soon, someone’s daddy won’t be defending anyone.”
He stands and tips his hat to me.
“You may want to reconsider your company, Ms.Prescott.Don’t think affiliating with criminals will help your father’s chances.”
“Reggie, leave these kids alone.Your coffee’s waiting for you at the counter.”
Officer Pratt smiles politely at Clara and saunters over to pick up his to-go cup before leaving.
“What’s he talking about?”Collin asks.
“I thought you said he didn’t get in a fight,” I add, arms crossed.It’s not like Collin to lie to me.He tells me the truth, no matter what.That’s our thing.Even if what we have to say might hurt, we promise to always be honest.
They’re both looking at me.
“What?”Then it hits me.“Oh.Yeah.Guess my dad’s running for district attorney.”
Their eyes widen.
“I just found out yesterday.”I look between their shocked faces.You’d think I’d just told them we’re moving across the country.“What’s the big deal?”
“Um, one… where are we going to get a defense lawyer who charges in mowed lawns and painted fences?And two… your mother won’t let you within ten feet of us once he starts campaigning.”
“Well… don’t do anything stupid that requires a defense attorney.Hello?And my mother knows it’s a losing battle.”
Jonathan hasn’t added to the conversation.Not good.Which means he really thinks my dad running for this positionwillaffect our relationship.And that’s the last thing I want him believing.
Which brings us back to the extremely obvious awkwardness.
“I’ve gotta get going.I’ll meet you at the garage once I’m done inventorying my dad’s stuff.”He actually looks at me.“Will you be there?”
“For a little while.I have to meet Danika this afternoon to work on the costumes.Then I have studio time.”
He nods and walks away.
“What the hell was that?”Collin asks, reading the situation perfectly.“He didn’t even take his coffee.His dad must be in extra prick mode.”
