FROM THE AWARD-WINNING AUTHORS OF THE CHEATER.FAKER.TROUBLEMAKER SERIES (WATTY'S 2016, FICTION AWARDS 2016, HACHETTE AUDIO 2017), JENNY ROSEN & KRISTEN MAGLONZO.
After bullies, braces, and brutal heartbreak shatters his faith in love, soon-to-be fre...
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NOTE: Check out this week's awesome audiobook recording by kaelking12! Featuring music by Kodaline and Boy in Space!
CHAPTER 14
Elias
Once Mom and I get back to the front lobby, Dr. Reynolds is standing with my dad chatting like they're at one of his skeezy business soirees instead of standing in the middle of a hospital. Never mind the fact that the two of us have been losing sleep waiting to hear news on Tanner. Never mind that we're all on edge. Dad needs his showtime.
Always.
This is what he does. Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Wherever there's an audience, he makes a point to play the part of the "good old boy" until the people around him believe it.
Dad's propped up against the information desk, hands in his pockets, throwing around fake airy laughs, and wasting time small talking with Dr. Reynolds like they're old college buddies. Maybe they are. Maybe they aren't. I honestly don't give a rat's ass. But there's where Dr. Needs-A-Reality-Check and I are different.
The dude's eating up my dad's words like he's starved for conversation. He's got this ridiculously stupid smile plastered on his face and his buggy blue eyes are bulging to the point where they just might pop out of his face. If the dear old doc knew anything about anything, he'd realize my father's probably just buttering him up so he'll agree to testify against Trevor and friends.
Right now, I could give a shit about what my dad does about the situation, I just wanna know that Tanner's okay.
Mom and I both do.
After trying to figure out whether or not she should break up the boys club, Mom takes me by the arm and takes her place next to my father. She paints a strained smile on her face, throws a shy smile at Dr. Reynolds, but doesn't dare interrupt the conversation.
Dad has her trained. She knows to keep quiet even if she needs his attention. Even though she deserves to speak. She doesn't move her lips an inch out of line because she knows exactly what'll happen if she does.
Once Tanner's out of the woods, things will go back to the way they were at home. Screaming matches and all.
I put my arm around her shoulders and hold Mom steady when I feel her wavering on her feet. She's tired.
Of waiting.
Of hoping.
Of expecting my dad to change.
So I change things up so she doesn't have to wait for him anymore.
"Hi, Dad. Hi, Doc. Can we go see Tanner now or do you wanna keep shooting the breeze until the sun sets?" I ask, and it comes out about as blunt and obnoxious as I hoped it would.
