Page 126 of No Way Home
Holden chuckled, slapping a legal folder against the leg of his suit pants. “I think maybe Si should wait out here.”
“Not a chance,” Dad said. “Clem is not stepping inside that office without me.”
But Mom didn’t look like she needed protecting. Just like Holden, she had a folder of her own—manila colored. “Don’tyou worry about me.” She made eye contact with each of us and shook the folder. “I’ve got this.”
My phone vibrated with a text. I pulled it out.
Love of My Life
Things are already hard enough for your family right now. I don’t want to cause more drama. It’s okay, really. No big deal.
Though Topher’s manipulations had died out two weeks ago, Billy had pulled Magnolia into his office yesterday—her last day at Seddledowne Family Medicine—to announce that she’d failed and would have to repeat the rotation. She’d cried on my shoulder off and on all evening.
They’re your family now, too. And it’s a huge deal. You don’t deserve to fail because Topher is a manipulative twit. We’ve got this. Relax and enjoy your pedicure. Can’t wait to see your toes. Love you.
Knowing we were heading down to handle the situation, Magnolia had been a nervous mess.
She couldn’t eat breakfast or sit still even. Thankfully, Sophie, Charlie, and Juliette were on it and took her to get a pedicure.
Love of My Life
Okay. Love you too.
The four of us stalked up the handicapped ramp. I yanked the staff entrance door open and they followed me inside.
“Excuse you,” Billy said haughtily, waiting at the end of the hall. Probably saw us coming on the security cameras. “No Duprees allowed,” he declared, but the slight shake in his voice told the truth. He knew exactly why we were here.
Topher peeked over the top of the nurses’ station, face pale, like we were a mob of gangsters come to gun them down.
“You are not excused,” Mom said, jabbing her finger at her ex. “Billy Eugene Adams, you and I are going to have a little talk. Would you like to do it out here or somewhere private?”
He gulped, eyes bulging. “I don’t have to talk to you.”
“I mean, you don’t have to.” Holden waved the legal folder. “But I think you’ll want to.”
“Uh, what’s in there?” Topher asked, voice barely a tiptoe.
“Plan B.” I smirked. “But we won’t need it. At leastyou'dbetter pray we don’t.”
Topher shot to his feet and scampered across the room to hide…in the custodial closet.
What a moron.
Billy nodded, voice low, “Okay, Lem. Follow me.”
“That’sLemonto you.” Dad cocked an eyebrow, tone threatening.
Billy’s lip curled over his teeth, like a chihuahua too dumb to realize it was barking at a pit bull. But he said nothing. Just turned on his heel and headed for his office.
Mom followed him, but Dad grabbed her hand, pulling her back. “Clem,” he said, voice tight. “I think I should go with you.”
“I’ve got this, babe.” She pecked him on the mouth, one hand against his cheek. “Don’t you worry.”
Dad watched her go, eyes proud and a little dazed from the kiss. Even after all these years, he was stupidly in love with Mom.
Dad, Holden, and I huddled outside the door to Billy’s office, eavesdropping.
“I already know why you’re here,” Billy said. “And I’m sorry, but she failed. Fair and square. The rubric doesn’t lie.” There was a moment of quiet and then he exploded. “I can’t believe you just tore the rubric!”
