Page 102 of Turnabout Is Fair Cosplay
“Nice to see you again, Mike.” Mom pats his arm. “Congratulations on a great show.”
Dad takes Mom’s hand. “Yes, we better get going.”
Mom turns to me. “Your father and I are headed home to Del Mar. We have an early tee time at the country club, so we’re calling it a night.”
“You’re welcome to come home with us,” Dad says.
“I live in La Jolla now,” I say coolly.
Dad’s smile falters. “Well, maybe you can get a ride.”
Mom gasps. “Maybe Mike could drive you. After all, you’re going to the same place.”
“Are you kidding me?” I say.
“Mike?” Mom calls. “Would you mind giving Bea a ride home?”
But no. I’ve been set up. Worse. I’ve been Molly McKinneyed.
“I’ll walk home. I’ll crawl. Swim.”
“Bea, it’s no big,” Mike says.
It’s humiliating, but I give Mike a tight smile and try not to fall into his honey-colored eyes. “Thanks.”
“There’s an after-party that I have to make an appearance at. If you come with me, I’ll have a rock-hard alibi for leaving early.”
“I didn’t plan this.”
“No. Your mother did. What’s her angle?”
“Grandchildren.”
Mike swallows. “Well, good thing you have very high standards. Hang tight. I’ll just be a minute.”
I watch as Mike thanks the other people who have hung back to greet him. He’s charming, sincere, and makes everything look so easy.
“Thanks for waiting,” he says after the last of them filter out. “Shall we?”
We walk in awkward silence to his truck. And just as I open my mouth to say something, Mike does too.
“You go ahead,” he says.
“Thank you for the tickets, and I’m sorry. For my parents roping you into giving me a ride home.”
“I’m happy to.” Mike shoves his hands into the pockets of his peacoat. “It gives me a chance to finally apologize.” He stops walking. “I’m sorry, Beatrice. I messed up. I let a stupid joke get out of hand that night at the escape room, and I hurt you, and I’m furious at myself for it. I wanted to make you jealous, but instead I…” He blows his breath out quickly. “I gave you proof that I am an arrogant, selfish, despicable villain and shallow flirt.” He grimaces. “I’m not that guy, but I know how to play him convincingly. And I took it too far. It’s not Catstrike’s—I mean, um…” He’s struggling now.
“Gwen?”
“Thanks. It’s not Gwen’s fault. She was just playing along and following my lead. But there’s nothing there. There’s no room for there to be anything there.”
“Right,” I say, and for a moment, he looks so hopeful, but I can’t go deep. I’m too scared. “You’ve been busy with the play and the house.” But I can’t stop there. I need to know. “Why?”
Mike’s eyebrows raise, but otherwise he stays very still.
“Why can you play villains so convincingly?”
The corner of Mike’s mouth twitches. “Because I know what it’s like to lose everything. And in that moment, I know how insidious the illusion of control is and how willingly nihilism can take over.” Mike clears his throat. “I understand the choices villains face.”
