Page 143 of Crew Princess
“Let us drive you. Give Taz your keys.” Because she was staying. I knew that the second Race stood and she didn’t.
He looked over my shoulder, his jaw clenching, but he dug in his pocket and pulled out his keys. I took them, going back to the table.
“What are those?” Taz asked.
“You’re staying, right?”
She slowly reached out, taking the keys. “Is it wrong if I do?”
My heart sank. I didn’t want it to, but it did. I loved Taz. She was a good girlfriend, a loving girlfriend, and a good friend, but today, she was focused on her own stuff. Maybe that was okay.
I forced a smile. “Call us when you’re heading back. We’ll let you know where to take his truck.”
I turned to go.
“Bren?”
I looked back. She was standing now, her hands gripping the table. “I don’t know what to say. I can’t… You know. You always know in these situations.”
I laughed bitterly. “Right. Because my dad’s in prison? Because of that?”
Shame flooded her face, tightening her features, and she looked down.
Yeah. That’s what she meant.
I felt a knife going in under my sternum.
“Bren.”
I paused again, reaching for the door handle. It was their father this time. He came over, smoothing a hand down his shirt. “I realize now that in light of everything that’s happened, we probably should’ve canceled this dinner, but…” He peered over my shoulder. “I miss my son. I worry about my son. He’s not really talking to me or his mother, and I’m… I’m worried about him.”
I didn’t know what bothered me the most.
Was it what had happened with Race’s dad, yet he had come, trying to be here for his girlfriend. Or was it Taz, who was self-focused at this moment, having no clue how her sentiment hurt, or was it this parent who obviously cared about his children, but didn’t seem to know how to have a relationship with them. One was too eager to please, too worried she’d lose her dad, while the other could barely stomach being in this house.
“He’s living with us. He has my family.”
I saw the hurt in his eyes and knew my words hit their target.
“You want him not to replace yours with mine? Show up. Come around. Be present. He’s eighteen. Unless you hold college over him…” And I was guessing because that was my hang-up. “…you can’t force him into anything. But for what it’s worth, he came today. He didn’t have to, but he did.”
He nodded as I finished. “Okay. I will. I’ll be around. I’ll show up.” He tried to smile, but it fell flat for some reason.
I didn’t care to wonder why. I just turned and headed out. We needed a crew day, and I was already texting Zellman and Jordan as I got into Cross’ vehicle. Race was in the back. Both of their phones went off, and Race pulled his out.
“I’m included?”
Cross smiled in approval as he pulled away from the curb.
I turned around. “Guest of honor, unless you want to check on your mom.”
Race didn’t respond. Not at first. “Just can’t be the foundation right now. That’s all.”
I knew we all understood that.
Three weeks later
Once they arrested Race’s dad, everything unfolded.
