Page 50 of A Lesson in Deceit
“I’m serious, Riley. I know you don’t want to talk about it, believe me I understand, but you are at that school, and you’ve actively avoided talking about your dad. I would think that I’m the one person that youcouldtalk about it with.” Her voice was steady and concerned. She sounded worried but not enough to ask me to transfer to a different school.
I put my candy down, placing my hands on my knees. “You are, Mom. I just don’t want to bring anything up while I’m not here and what happens if you break down and all I can do is be on the phone and do nothing.”
She sighed, her shoulders dropping. “Honey, you are my number one priority. I love that you worry about me, but your job is to get through school and have fun. My job is to worry twenty-four seven about you. You want to talk to me about your dad and I start to cry? Okay, then let me cry and feel things. Stay on the phone with me until I stop.”
I hadn’t even been in this house for five minutes and I already wanted to fucking cry. I had only let myself miss my dad in small moments since I’d been at Mystic Riegan. “I get it, Iget it.” I twisted my fingers together, avoiding her eyes. “I miss him.”
She rubbed my leg, squeezing in a way that only she could, making me feel like I could give so much weight to her and she wouldn’t falter. “I miss him too. He would be proud of you for doing so well though. You’ve always done so well, so I’m not surprised.”
A tear escaped from the corner of her eye and she wiped it away, shaking her head and then her entire body. She blew out a breath. “Enough of that for now. I want to make your first night stress free, so I’m making dinner tonight and you can tell me about how you are not spending all your time with River.” She side-eyed me playfully. My dad had tried to be very parental when it came to River, but it was an ill-fated plan because River had a way to get what he wanted in the sincerest way possible. There was one conversation that always made me laugh, but it stuck with me.
“So,you’re going to be a senior at Mystic Riegan?” My dad asked my boyfriend.
River nodded, stabbing at the food my mom made especially for tonight. This was the first dinner we’d all had since River and I had started dating and I wasn’t the least bit hungry. “Yup, nearly perfect grade point average if that helps with your assessment of me.”
I kicked him under the table. I knew he didn’t mean it in a rude way but my anxiety was already through the roof.
My dad chuckled. “It does, especially since my daughter has a literal perfect grade point average. Always has.”
My food was looking more and more unappetizing. “Dad, stop. Yes, I am very smart, but so is River. Can we talk about something else?”
“Eh, I’m smart, but not quite like you,” River complimented.
My mom smiled down at her food, keeping her thoughts to herself.
“My daughter already likes you, kid. You don’t need to kiss up to her.”
I choked on air, gaping at my dad.
He put a forkful of food in his mouth, not paying my expression any mind. “He should be saying lots of nice things to me and making me feel like the most special person in the room.” He pointed his fork at River, a little smile on his face.
River twisted his mouth to the side, considering his next words. “Mr. Monroe, I really like your shirt, I think it suits you well. Have you been working out? Because you look great. Mrs. Monroe is a very lucky lady.”
I placed my elbows on the table, putting my head in my hands. My mom barked out a laugh. “No, he has not been working out.”
My dad picked up a dinner roll and threw it at her. “That’s because I get my workout from you, baby.”
I watched my parents flirt right in front of me and I made a gagging sound. River just watched as if this was the best thing he’d ever seen and a gleam of joy was in his eyes. My parents stopped laughing and my dad picked his fork back up. “Well, my door at the university is always open if you need it.”
River gave him a smile and nodded in thanks.
“So, how did you guys meet?” River asked my parents, moving his fork between them.
My parents looked at each other for a long time and they both sighed. My mom cleared her throat, wiping her mouth with her napkin. “That is a very wild love story.”
“I’m sure I could handle it,” River assured her, taking his last bite and throwing his napkin on his plate. “I can be a softie when it comes to your daughter, but I promise I’m a tough guy.”
I giggled. “A softie indeed.” I poked his stomach, only to be met with his abs.
My dad shook his head. “Alright, dishes in the sink and then we’ll move to the living room to tell you this very boring but wild love story that River promises not to fall asleep to.”
River laughed. “I’m wide awake and ready to learn about the art of wooing a woman.” He saluted my dad, picking up his plate and going to the kitchen.
My dad grabbed my plate from my hand, pulling me into his side. “He’s good to you?”
I nodded, butterflies fluttering in my stomach anytime River crossed my mind.
My dad kissed the side of my head. “Good. That’s good.”
