Page 58 of Endless Anger
“What was the one caveat we agreed on when you decided to leave Foxe’s tour and head up to New Hampshire?”
My chest deflates. “That I wouldn’t cause trouble.”
His silence is fucking deafening. I clear my throat, and he finally speaks again. “And how is that going?”
“Ididn’t do anything. I’ve been a perfect angel all day.” I fold my hands in my lap, balancing the chair on its back two legs.
As far as he knows.
“So you didn’t harass Lucy Wolfe until she fainted from annoyance?”
“What the—how the hell do you know about that?”
He chuckles, the sound rich and dark. “I know everything. And Foxe is a tattletale.”
Duh.It’s a wonder Foxe is so popular, both as a private citizen and renowned musician, considering how much of a narc he’s always been. But I guess the Goody Two-Shoes act really works on some impressionable teenagers. And my parents.
If his mother weren’t my dad’s younger sister, I’m not sure we’d be close at all.
“When did he even have time to tell you?” I mutter.
“This is a dangerous game you’re playing, you know,” Dad adds, glossing over my question. “Ignoring the one thing Lucy asked of you may not end as favorably as you think. I imagine she’s had a lot of time to reflect, and she’s not exactly known for letting go of grudges.”
My gaze swings to her on the bed, sleeping semi-peacefully.Should I have gotten her checked out at the campus clinic?That choke hold wasn’t particularly powerful, but now I’m wondering if she should still be unconscious.
Turning back around, I set my chair on the floor. “Areyoureally trying to lecture me on boundaries right now?”
“As your father, I feel uniquely qualified to do so. I do know a little bit about angry women, you know.”
“Yeah, Mom tells the story about how you two got together at every holiday party. It’s super fun and not at all concerning.”
And, I imagine, stories of betrayal and kidnapping are probably why we spend holidays at home, where everyone’s trauma can be contained to those who were directly impacted by it.
Theirs is the kind of trauma passed on to future generations, even when you spend almost three decades trying to reverse the effects. Not everything can be fixed, and sometimes the consequences are residual.
Sometimes the anger lingers.
“I’m just saying, she may not forgive you still. That’s something you’ll need to earn.”
An ache the size of the Grand Canyon cracks open in my chest. “I know.”
“Look.” Dad’s sigh filters over the line—that chest-deep exhale of relief and concern he’s perfected over the years. The man’s the master ofI’m not mad, I’m disappointed.“You’re okay?”
I blink hard at the wall. “Yeah, I’m fine. All of us are.”For now.
“Then that’s all that matters.” He pauses. “You didn’t have anything to do with…”
My skin grows tight. “No, and I’m a little offended you’d ask that.”
“Well, you are my son after all. I know you.”
That makes something uncomfortable lengthen in my throat. I hate lying to him. “Right. Tell Mom I love her. I’ll call her tomorrow.”
“Will do. Be good.” I snort, and he amends his demand. “Or good adjacent. Don’t cause more problems for your sister.”
“Yeah, yeah. Two Andersons on campus for the first time in years, and shit’sboundto hit the fan. Imagine what’ll happen when Noelle shows up too.”
“I did not raise the three of you to cause chaos at every turn.”
