Page 102 of Even Beneath the Stars

And Maggie… still won’t stoplooking at me. Her face looks pinched and nothing like her usual smiling self, which sucks.

"Xave?" Finn’s voice issmall. "Are you okay?"

I force alazy grin. "M'fine, buddy."

Only I’m starting to think I’m not. That maybe Seb was right. That maybe I’m drunker than I thought.

Maybe showing up was a bad idea.

Shiiit.

I reach for my water glass, but my fingersfumble, knocking it over. Ice skitters across the pristine tablecloth, water spilling toward my father’s sleeve.

"For Christ’s sake," he seethes, dabbing at his suit with a napkin.

The waiterrushes in, too prepared—like he saw this coming. Likeeveryone saw this comingexcept me.

My mother leans in, her voice sharp andviciously controlled. "Xavier James Rockwell,what is wrong with you?"

I blink up at her. "Wrong with me?"

"You’re drunk," my father snaps. His voicecarries weight, a razor’s edge of authority.

I lift a finger. "But I’m here.”

When all that gets me is a glare, I drag a hand through my hair, then glance at Maggie.

"Shit… you look good," I mutter, then my eyes land on her pants.

PTA pants.

I grin.

She doesn’t… And itstings.

"Why would you do this?" my mother says, voice hushed as she leans forward. "I hardly get to see you, and when I do…thisis what you pull?" She presses ahand to herheart, glancing around. "I’m so hurt right now, Xavier.You've hurt my feelings."

I let out abitter laugh. "That’s rich."

My father’s face darkens. His drink hits the table with asharpclink. "You,” he hisses, his face thunderous, "are a disgrace… An utterembarrassment." The vein in his forehead pulses. He leans forward, voice low. Lethal. "Congratulations on cementing your title as the greatest disappointment in all my eighty-three years."

I hate that his words burn like shame. And that right now, the condition I’m in only proves him right.

"Now pull yourself together," he snaps.

The waiterarrives with dessert. Some kind ofchocolate eclair bullshit in a frame of hazelnuts and some kind of cream.

I don’t want it.

I wantout. Finn’s probably better off without me right now, anyway.

But when I go to stand, my father’s voice cuts through.

"You will sit down," he says coldly, "and you will stay here while we finish our meal."

I freeze.

His gaze iswarning me.Daring meto make a scene.

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