Page 94 of Chasing Sunsets

Iwatch as Anson’s taillights disappear into the distance before turning to face the two men who are glaring at me.

“What was that?” my father asks.

“That was my boyfriend storming off because I hurt him,” I say.

“Your boyfriend?” Dad asks, confused.

“Yes, Dad, my boyfriend.”

Quenton’s face turns red as he absorbs the information. He starts to advance toward me, but my father extends his arm, stopping him.

“It would seem we have more to discuss than we thought. You mother is waiting for us.”

I straighten my spine and march past them, noticing Parker’s confused expression as his eyes scan the parking lot.

When I reach the door, he asks, “Anson?”

Just then, my father and Quenton catch up to me.

“He left,” I reply. Then, I lean over and whisper, “You should go after him.”

He nods, and I walk back to our table, where a server is delivering our food.

I sit back in my seat, frustrated.

My mother, who has almost emptied the bottle of wine, stares across the table at me. “Aren’t you going to eat?”

“I’ve lost my appetite,” I say.

Quenton drops his fork, and it clanks loudly against his plate. “Are we going to talk about what happened outside?” he hisses.

Mom’s eyes move to him. “What happened outside?”

“Tabitha introduced us to her new boyfriend,” he says through gritted teeth.

Her eyes snap to me. “Boyfriend?” she gasps.

“Yes, Mom, my boyfriend. Anson Leggett.”

Her eyes go wide. “You’re dating that boy?”

“Yes.”

She glances at my father, and he sighs.

“Is he the reason you came here?” he asks.

I shake my head. “No. But he’s part of the reason I stayed—and am staying.”

“I see,” he says, his assessing eyes searching mine thoughtfully. “Well, I hear the University of North Carolina has a decent law school,” he continues.

I appreciate his effort to compromise. But it’s not enough.

“I’m not going to law school, Dad.”

“What do you plan to do, then?” Mom asks.

“I’m painting again, and I’m writing,” I say.

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