Page 67 of Under the Influence

Realizing she’s teasing me, I laugh nervously. Duke seems relaxed, but his hand also tightens around mine. He feels certain eyes on us, but we don’t dare turn around.

Tuesday wraps her arms around my shoulders from the side and hugs me to her body. “I kept your secret,” she whispers in my ear. “I was loyal. Never forget how you owe me. If I need help hiding a body one day, you can’t ask questions, okay?”

I hug Tuesday and hold on tight. I force my gaze to the sight of my father and uncles standing in a line like a wall of muscle intending to flatten Duke.

My father’s gaze is hard and mean. He’s pissed. I thought it would be worse to see him hurt by my secrets. Now, I wish he was wailing in pain rather than looking ready to dropkick Duke.

“Val,” I say, glancing at my cousin who still smiles as if there’s nothing wrong in the world.

“Yes, Edith?”

“This is the time to support your president.”

“And anger my pa?” Val asks, looking horrified before grinning. “Sure, let’s do this thing.”

Before we can face my pa, Tuesday yanks me against her and whispers, “The baby thing remains a secret, right? I don’t want to get tripped over what we’re still hiding.”

I look into her eyes and hope she can recognize my pure panic at the thought of anyone knowing yet. Kissing my forehead, she releases me from the hug and fixes my hair.

“You look lovely for a swamp whore.”

Giving her a grin, I wish I could push Tuesday in front of me to act as a shield from my father’s disapproval.

Instead, I take Duke’s hand and walk toward Pa-Donovan, Uncle Court, and Uncle Emmett.

“Duke and I are together. We didn’t want to steal Lola and Val’s spotlight. I’m sorry we kept things a secret, but I love him,” I blurt out. Once the words tumble from my mouth, I add, “No wrestling.”

“What do you mean bytogether?” Pa-Donovan demands while frowning at Duke.

Inhaling sharply, Duke struggles between acting like a club president and behaving like a guy facing his girlfriend’s pa.

“I’m in love with your daughter.”

Pa-Donovan wants to rage at Duke, but I sense he’s mostly angry with me. I’m the one who lied to him. I’m the person he trusted. I’m the daughter he thought he knew.

“This is good news!” Val announces. “Edith deserves a quality man.”

Duke doesn’t react to his son-in-law’s words. He also doesn’t engage in a staring contest with my pa.

Instead, Duke looks down at me and exhales softly. His gaze isn’t worried. I feel like I shouldn’t be worried, either.

“How about you go have a quiet moment with your family and get them updated?” Duke suggests and then gestures back at Lola and Clover now joined by Erin. “I’ll do the same with my family. Then, we’ll see about enjoying this party.”

Duke wipes a stray tear from my cheek. I don’t want to leave his side. Duke takes a step back. My hand stays locked with his until he moves too far away and our fingers slip apart.

“This is weird, right?” Otto asks Ike. “I’m not just high off drama farts. This thing here is weird, don’t you think?”

“No, it’s fine,” Ike says and walks over to me. I gasp when he lifts me off the ground and cradles me in his arms. “Edith’s just crazy in love. We’ve all been there. Now, let’s go inside where she can cry her way out of this situation.”

I smile at my brother. “I’m sorry I didn’t understand why you ran off with Oana.”

“The magic seems dumb when it’s happening to other people. But you get it now.”

Once my family is inside the house, the women stand on one side of the couch while the men line up on the other side.

“Are we dueling here?” Betty asks and looks at Otto. “Why are you over there?”

“Just go with it,” he says and gives her a reassuring wink.

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