Page 34 of Sins (The Sins Trilogy 1)
Chapter Thirteen
Ivy
After putting away my music, I send my awesome video to Yuna with a short message: Watch it and weep! It’ll be a great surprise when she wakes up in Seoul.
Then I spend the rest of the day in a sitting room, where I can watch the foyer through the doorway and the driveway through the huge bay windows. I need to see when Tony gets back so I can talk to him. I want him to know he isn’t alone, like Yuna did for me when I arrived at Curtis with butterflies in my belly. I want him to know I’m hopelessly fascinated by him…that I find him interesting and amazing.
But Tony doesn’t arrive. Instead, Aunt Margot and Uncle Lane leave—with a suitcase, which is interesting. I didn’t know Uncle Lane was home early or that they planned to be gone overnight. “New Orleans will be nicer. No roaches,” he says as he leads her out.
Soon I understand what made them leave: Sam and Marty. They walk out of the house, their faces red and tight. I guess they didn’t get any money from Aunt Margot.
I shake my head. Sam needs to find another backer. Aunt Margot will never give him a penny. It isn’t the first time she’s snubbed them. She hates it every time they visit, calling them shameless, classless bloodsuckers. But for some reason, Sam is desperate to have her invest in his ventures. Before I left for Curtis, I overheard him tell Marty that as long as she invests, the venture can succeed, and they’ll become like the Blackwoods—rich and important. Somebody. I didn’t understand Sam’s logic then, and I still don’t. But then, business and economics aren’t my strongest suit.
A little later, Jonas comes into view. “Miss Ivy, dinner is about to be served.”
“I’m not leaving until Tony’s home.”
“He came back three hours ago,” he says. “While you were practicing.”
“Why didn’t you say something?”
“Your specific instructions were not to be bothered unless there’s emergency or your aunt or uncle needs you.”
Unbelievable.“You knew I wanted to talk to Tony.”
“I did. But you didn’t indicate the desire was urgent.”
“Didn’t you see me ready to pound down his door earlier?”
“I saw you knock, yes,” he says, unflappable as usual.
I might as well deal with a robot that can’t do anything unless it’s spelled out explicitly. Anybody with a bit of common sense would’ve let me know. “Did you tell him about dinner?”
“Yes.”
Since his parents are gone, maybe Tony will come down. I head to the dining room. Harry is already seated, tapping away on his phone. “Hey, Ivy,” he says absent-mindedly.
“Didn’t Aunt Margot say no phones at the table?”
He’s still focused on the screen. “Mom’s not here. And I need to figure out what I’m going to do tonight. Not wasting a night like this at home.” Suddenly, he stops and looks at me. “Wanna come?”
Under different circumstances, I’d probably say yes, but I know in my gut Tony won’t be hanging out with Harry tonight. “I’m good, thanks.”
Dinner is finally served. Tony doesn’t show. I keep looking at his empty seat. Is he packing to go to L.A. right now? Is he even planning to at least say goodbye?
I can’t focus on the food, and declare myself full after a few bites of soup and salad. I don’t want to sit here and dine like I’m okay. I want to see Tony.
Harry stares. “You don’t want your blackened redfish?”
“Go ahead and eat it if you like.”
I stand up and go to the second floor, hesitating at the top of the stairs. What if Tony’s determined to leave? There isn’t much reason for him to stay in this house where he’s unhappy.
Maybe I should just turn around, walk back downstairs and let him go,I tell myself. It might be good for him to hang out with his best buddy. Everyone needs at least one person who sees the absolute good in them, and I don’t think Tony’s had much of that in his life. I doubt his brothers or friends tell him he’s perfect already—men can be terrible at communication.
I don’t want Tony to leave, but at the same time, if he has to go, I want him to hear from at least one person that he’s amazing and good and deserves nothing but success and happiness. Sometimes a few sincere, kind words are all it takes to help you keep going when you feel like you’re dying inside. My parents’ telling me I was awesome, and many great, beautiful things would come my way so long as I tried hard and hung in there… That got me through a lot after their deaths…especially when I felt lost in Tempérane and knew no one.
Tony’s room is almost at the end of the hall. I knock on the door and wait.
