Page 123 of Missed Notes (Rixon High 5)

“My girlfriend?”

The words made my stomach dance.

“Yeah.”

“I don’t really tell them anything.” He shrugged. “Sometimes I talk to my mom, but not a lot. But me and my dad? Yeah, that ship sailed a long time ago.”

“He doesn’t like me, does he?” A sad smile graced my lips.

“Sofe.” He slid his hand along my neck. “He doesn’t even know you. It’s not you, I promise. It’s what you represent.”

“How long until we can get out of here again?” I asked, half-teasing, half-serious. This so wasn’t my scene, and I was desperate to be alone with him.

“As soon as the welcome speech is over. That’s what you said and I’m holding you to it. Not staying a second longer.”

Heat radiated from Cole’s body. He looked so freaking gorgeous tonight. It would be easy for him to fit into this world. They looked similar, Cole and his dad. The same thick dark hair and strong features. But that was where the similarities ended.

Curtis was clearly a control freak. He liked order and composure and got off on belittling people. Cole was a creative, free spirit. He played guitarandfootball but didn’t take himself too seriously. As if that wasn’t enough, he was good at both of them. Really good. His soul was a beacon of light. Not a pit of darkness.

“Cole, Son,” Mr. Kandon appeared, not even acknowledging me. It stung. Even though I knew the kind of man he was, part of me still wanted his approval, his blessing.

“Dad.”

“I want to introduce you around so you can put some names to faces. Shall we?”

“Sure, let me just get rid of our glasses,” Cole said.

“Actually, I thought your friend might like to keep your mother company.”

Friend. My stomach sank.

“Dad, I don’t think that’s—”

“It’s fine, go,” I said. “I’ll be okay.”

“Sofe—”

“Just hurry back.” I leaned in and kissed his cheek. When I pulled away, Mr. Kandon was watching me with a strange look.

“Very well. Shall we?”

Cole hesitated and I blurted, “Go.” The sooner he placated his father, the sooner we could get out of here.

They walked off, disappearing into the sea of bodies, and I drank the remainder of my champagne and went to find Mrs. Kandon.

I found her over by a shaker table, minding her own business. She spotted me and smiled.

“Sofia, there you are.”

“Hi, Mrs. Kan—”

“Oh, sweetheart. Please, call me Cecelia.” I nodded and she added, “I never did much like these things.”

“How long have you and Mr. Kandon been married?”

“We married right out of college.” She smiled wistfully, searching the room for her husband and son. When she found them talking with a group of men, her breath hitched. But I couldn’t quite get a read on whether it was love or regret, or something else entirely etched into her expression.

“All Curtis ever wanted was Cole to follow in his footsteps.”

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