Page 7 of Distortion
She turns her head to look at me. I’m almost afraid I’ll see hurt in her eyes or something, but there’s nothing on her face.
My father stands up, leaning forward with his fists on the desk. ‘I paid for that Frat house, goddammit. Hell, the new science building is called the fucking Novelle Center, Jack. In case you’ve forgotten,mymoney makes sureyouhave all the advantages possible despite thedirectionyou’ve decided to take, so you WILL do this, or maybe that lab you and your friends fuck around in gets repurposed. There are plenty of Grad students who have their eyes on it, I’m told.’
He glances in the mirror over the mantle and fixes his hair with his fingers while he makes a visible effort to relax. ‘Anyway, I’ve already spoken to Dean Wallis, and, as anticipated, he doesn’t care. So, yes. You’ll be the one to watch her, boy. You’ll make sure she goes to class and gets the grades she needs this year.’ He jabs a finger in the air toward me, but his eyes narrow on Marguerite. ‘Anything happens, and it’son you. And fix her up with a weekly allowance, too. I won’t have anyone accusing me of not being a good father.’
I see something pass over Marguerite’s features and I brace myself for an outburst, but she doesn’t make a sound and the expression of polite interest is back in place before anyone else notices.
My father walks slowly around his desk. ‘Remember, it can all go away, Jack. All of it. In the blink of an eye. Do as you’re told and you can do what you want within reason. That’s the deal.’
I hear Andrew snigger, and I throw him a look that promises pain if I get my hands on him later. This is my father’s punishment for choosing not to go to an Ivy League school with my brother. Another one in a long line over the past three years since he realized I wasn’t messing around, that I was actually not going to follow in his footsteps.
I won’t be under his thumb forever, I remind myself as I grind out a ‘Yes, sir.’
‘Andrew, you’re heading back to Harvard tomorrow, aren’t you?’
‘I am.’ He smirks at me and twists the knife in a little. ‘Business School’s waiting, you know?’
‘I do.’ My dad puffs up a little with pride. ‘Well, I’ll say goodbye to you now. I’m at a conference in Zurich for the next few days, and I’m leaving early tomorrow.’
I notice he doesn’t speak to or even look at Marguerite again as we say our farewells and leave the office.
In the hall, I punch Andy in the shoulder. ‘Fucking kiss-ass,’ I mutter.
He smirks and shrugs. Then, he glances at Marguerite.
‘Where is the restroom, please?’ she asks before he speaks.
I frown. She lived here. Doesn’t she remember?
‘Down the hall to the left toward the front door,’ I say, but she’s already walking slowly away from us.
She knew. She just wanted an excuse to escape us, I realize.
‘I almost feel bad for you,’ Andy chuckles. ‘Almost.’
‘Fuck you,’ I snarl. ‘I mean, what the fuck? What the hell am I supposed to do with her?’
‘I can think of a few things,’ he says, waggling his eyebrows. ‘She’s clearly ‘all there’, as you put it. You’re lucky. You’re going to have a hot girllivingwith you all year.’
My brother stares down the hall with a thoughtful look on his face. ‘I thought that place was bullshit. Figured it was a home for people like her, like aforevertype of home, you know? But she almost seemednormalin there. I wonder if they really did cure her.’
I huff. ‘Maybe you should ask her.’
‘Maybe I will. But not now.’ He claps me on the shoulder. ‘I gotta pack. Not all of us can float along doing addition and subtraction at college!’
‘Chemistry is not addition and subtraction,’ I mutter, but he’s already heading down the corridor toward the kitchens, whistling an annoying tune.
‘Whatever,’ he calls behind him.
Asshole.
I go back to the foyer and wait for Marguerite while I message the other seniors in the house about what’s going on. Mav and Blake are going to be pissed that we’re on babysitting duty all year, that’s for sure, but there’s no way in hell I’m not roping them in. If I’m in this, they’re in this too. Maybe if all three of us pull our weight, we won’t have to waste too much time looking after her.
I only hope Marguerite can handle it. I pause, thinking things through. Maybe it would be best if she cracks. Then, my father will send her back to that clinic, and she’ll be out of our hair.
Maybe we can...help her along.
I smirk and message the chat I have with the guys. I almost feel bad for her. But then I remember her little subterfuge, and my jaw clenches. She was the one who threw herself into open water by fucking with me. It’s her fault if the sharks get her now.
