Page 25 of The Truth of Our Past

Alec deserves better. He’s the first person in over a year to make me feel alive. I owe it to him to make this situation better, and selfishly it brings some of his happiness into my life.

Chapter twelve

Alec

Dog Days Are Over by Florence + the Machine

Part of me thinks this is a dream and I’m going to wake up laughing. Von politely points out my parents’ small-minded ideas.

He’s lost his scowl and turned on a charm I didn’t know he had. It’s bizarre to be in his apartment with my parents. To be anywhere with my parents.

He makes my head spin. One minute he’s kissing me as if I’m the best thing in the world, then he apologizes for it. As if I wasn’tone hundred million percent on board with it. He ran and I don’t chase, so this is the first time we’re talking since the most sexual kiss I’ve ever had.

I haven’t been able to get it out of my head. And the bastard is being all boyfriendy like he actually likes me. It’s fucking with me.

Von chuckles even though I know he doesn’t find my father’s comment that America is the greatest country funny.

“It’s so charming how Americans think the USA is a superior country. In reality, your education is subpar, and you trail the world in healthcare, infrastructure, and gun violence is out of control. Most of the world finds the audacity amusing.”

“We saved your asses in the war,” Dad argues indignantly.

“Yes, Richard, do your friends call you Dick?” Von asks, and I bite my tongue to keep the laughter in. “America had a major impact on the world wars, but do you realize that was almost eighty years ago? It is on-brand for America, but the rest of the world has moved on and is not resting on decades old accomplishments,” he says with a smile and a conciliatory tone.

“Everyone would be better off if they lived by the bible,” my mom chimes in.

“Everyone would be better off if they didn’t use the bible to justify hate and bigotry. I find America’s views on sex primitive. You are behind the modern world in basic human rights anddecency.” Von stands and towers over my father, who’s sitting on the couch. “Would you like a drink before you and Alec settle your legal matter?”

Von is my hero right now. A goddamn Viking warrior facing down my father with grace.

My mother excuses herself to use the bathroom while my father organizes the papers from the envelope.

“Here’s the paperwork from the property that your grandfather left you. You need to sign these to take ownership.” He hands me a pen and points to the signature line.

I scan the paperwork, looking for an issue. I don’t trust my parents, so I’m expecting to find out that I can own the property once I pay thousands of dollars in back taxes or something similar. The lawyer handling my grandfather’s estate is a family friend, so I should have insisted on an impartial one. My grandfather wanted me to own the land, and I’m putting too much faith in his will.

I’m still reading when my mother sits back down next to my father. I’m sitting in a club chair and Von is perching on the arm as any good fake boyfriend would do.

“Just sign it already. Your sister deserves the land,” my mother hisses.

My brows fly up as I digest her statement.

“I haven’t gotten that far yet, Susan,” my father scolds her. His icy demeanor is nothing new. “The other set of papers is to sign the property over to your sister.”

“For free,” I clarify, and Von’s anger rises. For a man of few words, I can feel his emotions more than anyone else’s. I’m nervous his forehead vein might burst with his fury.

“Of course,” my mother says. “She has a family and we want to keep the land in the family. She can leave it to her kids.”

“I’m not family?” They should have the guts to say it to my face.

My mother looks insulted. “She has kids, not toothbrushes and razors, living in sin.”

I glance sideways at Von, wondering what’s going on, but he throws an arm around my shoulder, kisses my hair, and says, “It’s time for you to leave. Alec needs legal representation to look over the paperwork and weigh his options.” He stands, pulling me up with him.

Von’s long legs eat the distance to the door and he holds it open for them. My parents leave without a word to either of us.

If I had a fuck to give, I’d absolutely be embarrassed that Von has a knack for catching me at my worst moments.

Von slams the door and lets out a string of Swedish words that I can assume are vulgar from his tone and deep scowl. I’mstanding alone in the middle of the room like it’s an island. I’m frozen, but I can’t stay here.

---