Page 32 of Wicked Knight
“Mom, this room does not need any sort of decorating.” I chuckle.
“I know, but it would give me something to do if you needed me to stick around longer.” A hopeful smile tilts her lips, and she stares back at me as though she hopes I’ll agree.
Mom is what you’d call a typical Stepford wife. She loves running a home to perfection and making sure nothing is ever out of place. Even me.
“Thanks, Mom. But you don’t have to stay. There’s a lot going on today, and I’m going to that party later, so I’d hardly see you.” The first two weeks of every semester are easy-going with a lot of social events, parties, and sorority gatherings. Tonight is a joint masquerade party put on by the Thetas and Sigmas. Everyone—including Dmitri—will be there.
“Okay.” She holds up her hands and lifts her shoulders into a small shrug. “I just thought I’d offer. But I’m sure you’re eager to see your friends.”
“I am. I’ve missed them.” We all went for ice cream after the show last week, and it was fun, but hanging out with my friends on campus is a million times better. Especially Isabelle. I didn’t get to talk to her properly the other night because everyone was there. I’m sure she’ll be pulling me aside later to talk to me.
“Will you be going to the party with Kyle?”
Oh, Lord, I forgot about him. My parents still believe Kyle owns the Valkyrie contract. “Yeah, we’re meeting up later,” I lie. I haven’t spoken to Kyle since last semester, and I doubt I will be going forward.
“That’s good. Are you two okay? I thought he would have come to see you perform over the summer, but I didn’t see him.”
“He was busy traveling with his family.”
“Okay. Well, I’m glad you get to see him today. You seem to like him a lot, which is great.”
“Yeah, he’s good to me.” I nod, trying to look like I can’t wait to see Kyle.
“Good.” Even though she sounds positive, uncertainty laces through her tone.
Unlike Dad, who called me out on my true intentions for the contract, Mom has been kinder. But she thinks the same as him. And she’d be right. What I did was an obvious attempt to escape their plans.
An awkward moment of silence passes between us, and I think of pushing the conversation about Kyle to the back burner, so I can ask her about Dad. I hate lying, and the first person who will see through my bullshit is my mother.
I heard her speaking to Dad on the phone this morning in a hushed tones, and I don’t think it was because she thought I was sleeping.
Dad isstillin L.A. The trip that was supposed to take a few days is now coming up to a day over a week. Even though I know my mother is concerned about me, I suspect she doesn’t want go back to New York just yet to be home alone, or around her nosy, two-faced socialite bitchy friends.
“When is Dad back from his trip?”
“Probably later in the week.” I can see I’m right from the shift in her eyes. She doesn’t want to go home just yet.
“That’s a long time.”
“I know. He was hoping to be done by now. But you’ll see him in two weeks when we’re here for the fundraiser.”
They’re at Raventhorn regularly for fundraisers and other events because Dad is a major sponsor.
“Sweetie, don’t worry about your father. He just had a lot of work to do.”
“Mom, there’s no way you can’t deny that Dad has been acting weird. That whole marriage thing to Levi was insane.” My fingers curl around the hem of my sweater. “My career in ballet would have been over if I married him.”
She bites the inside of her lip and tries to school her expression so she doesn’t look as worried as I’ve seen her when she thinks I’m not watching. But she fails. That uncertain look in her eyes is still there. “Sometimes, your father doesn’t think things through. But I promise he didn’t mean to hurt you.”
“I don’t know about that. Besides, things don’t feel right. I sense that something is going on and the two of you are keeping it from me.”
“Sweetheart.” She steps forward and rests her hands on my shoulders. “Just stop and take a breather. Your father and I have everything under control, and you don’t have to worry.”
“So, somethingisgoing on, then?”
“Something is always going on.” Her smile is thin and almost forced. “That’s how business works.”
“Are you sure it’s just business?”