Page 78 of The Eleventh Hour
The server places a plate in front of him and pours him a glass. He squints down the table and eyes Rafael for a long enough moment that my hackles start to rise.
“Did you sort out your business the other night?” Phil inquires.
The table falls silent, and I can almost feel my stepmother’s burning glare.
“I did, thank you. I apologise that we interrupt-”
“Don’t apologise, Jax.” My father draws himself up, turning to face Phil. A long, silent conversation happens, and satisfaction fills me when Phil looks away first.
“What kind of business?” Jeraldine snaps. “Surely, she’s not asking for more money.”
I close my eyes and remind myself that she’s family and I can’t punch her.
“Jerry!” My father snaps. “She was fourteen when she asked for that money. And it was a gift. For fuck’s sake, woman! Get over it!”
“Well, seriously, you can’t be helping her out of all her problems. She’s old enough to do it herself.”
My father flushes beet red. “Enough.”
“It's just like her to come crawling back after all this time, thinking she can weasel herself back into your graces and take advantage of your generosity.”
Edward slams his hand on the table, shaking with his fury. “I said enough!”
Jeraldine slowly puts down her fork and stands up. “I don’t feel very well. Please, excuse me.”
I glance up and catch Richard’s eye. He smiles, a kind of commiserating smile that hurts more than it helps. My throat feels tight, and I don’t know whether to stand up and leave or sit and keep eating. Dane slides his hand over my thigh. The warm pressure gives me the strength to pick up my fork and continue eating like I don’t care.
He leans in to me and breathes two words that make me flush and catch my breath.
“Good girl.”
I snap my head in his direction and narrow my eyes at the challenging tilt to his chin.
“I am not a good girl,” I hiss back.
“Mmm.” He takes a bite of his food, all polite manners, and ignores me.
River nudges my elbow. “You right?”
I nod tightly. “Sure am, little brother.”
“Now, say that again like you mean it.” River snorts and leans closer still. I lean towards him. “Phil is on the outs with Dear Old Papa, not just tonight, but there are rumours of him and a certain young woman. Andy remains tight-lipped and denies it, of course. But I’m sure she’s much more discreet with her lover.”
I gape at River. “Oh, my god, why are you telling me this?”
“Because I had to suffer through the entire episode, and now you, too, shall know my pain. Stevie is silent as the grave, as always, but for her cutting remarks and strange observations. Jeraldine is beside herself with the shame of such unworthy offspring. Which is why she is lashing out at you this evening. Of the four of us, you are the least embarrassing, and she loathes it.”
I snicker and raise a brow at Dane when his hand tightens on my thigh.
“And what about you?”
“Well, I stole a motorcycle yesterday because I was desperate for some much needed attention, but alas, my sisters upstaged me. I shall endeavor to cause more mayhem so that I, too, may be screamed at until three in the morning.”
“River, if you are going to fill her head with shit, say it out loud so the rest of us can call you out on your bullshit lies.” Stevie’s eyes flash, but her smile is pure evil.
Dad grumbles a warning at us.
I glance down the table and catch Andy in a rare moment. She stares with longing at Dad. My stomach clenches. I wish I could help her. Maybe she really doesn’t want to marry him. Maybe she’s doing this for Dad. I should talk to her, but she won’t listen to me. How stupid. Andy looks up, and her face smooths out. Phil ignores her completely and eats with a single-minded intensity.