Eventually she pulls away first, sliding her fingers under each eye to catch any stray tears, a watery laugh leaving her. My mother has never been an overly emotional person. “Why did he give you a Keith Haring camera? I’m curious.”
“I went to his family’s apartment yesterday,” I admit. “And I was admiring the Keith Haring painting they have.”
“Two Dancing Dogs?” she asks.
I nod, not surprised she’d know which one it was. “It’s beautiful. I told him I liked it. And he sends me this.”
I hold up the camera.
“How sweet.” A soft sigh leaves her. “Young love. First love. Enjoy it, darling. There’s nothing else like it.”
“Oh, I don’t think he loves me,” I’m quick to say. “It hasn’t been very long…whatever this is that we’re doing.”
“Modern love.” Another sigh leaves her and she slowly shakes her head. “This is where I admit I feel old and don’t understand the ways of teenagers anymore.”
“I don’t think we’re that different from when you were a teen,” I say.
“There are a few differences. Social media, for one.” She stands and starts heading for the door. “You can go back to sleep now. I was just curious over what he sent you today.”
Mom shuts the door behind her and I flop back onto the bed, reaching for my phone so I can send Crew a text.
Me: Got your gift. I love it. Thank you.
He responds almost immediately.
Crew: You’re welcome. Want to come over for a photo sesh?
I’m smiling so wide it hurts.
Me: I’m surprised you’re awake.
Crew: My brother called me at seven. Such an asshole.
Me: What did he want?
Crew: He’s been helping me out with something.
Me: ???
Crew: Can’t explain it over text. I’ll tell you later.
Crew: Did you like the camera?
Me: I LOVED IT. A Keith Haring camera? So awesome.
Crew: This way you don’t have to risk saving the images on your phone. In case your dad figures out your password.
Me: No one will figure out my password. Not even you.
Crew: What about the lipstick?
I drop my phone and grab the lipstick, slicking it on my lips and using my phone as a mirror. I take a selfie and send it to him.
Crew: Hot.
Me: Not too pink?
Crew: On you? It’s perfect. Come over.
Me: Right now?
Crew: We’re both awake. No one is at my house. Get your pretty ass over here.
I should not find it attractive that he says things like that, yet here I am.
Enjoying it.
Me: I need to get ready first.
Crew: I’ll send a car over.
Me: Peter?
Crew: Yeah. He’s a good dude. Knows how to keep a secret.
His words make my stomach sink. Is that all I am to him? A secret?
Does a boy buy you gifts and indulge you in your weird urges to cover his body in lipstick kisses think of you as a secret? I don’t know.
I can’t worry about it.
Me: I’ll text you when I’m ready.
Crew: I’ll keep Peter on standby. Don’t forget the camera and the pink lipstick.
I drop my phone onto my nightstand and crawl out of bed, heading for my walk-in closet. I don’t know what to wear today. Definitely not a dress, though that had been fun. And cold.
Especially when I went home last night. I was freezing by the time I walked into our apartment. The look on my father’s face was one of utter disappointment as he watched me take off my jacket, revealing my outfit.
I don’t know what Mom said to him to keep him quiet, but I’m grateful for it.
I quickly dress in jeans and a sweater, pulling my hair back into a high ponytail. I slip on my lug sole boots and exit my bedroom to find my father standing in the hall. His hands are in his jacket pockets, his gaze on the painting hanging on the wall. He glances over at me, his expression flat.
“I was waiting for you.”
There goes Mom keeping him quiet.
I pause near my bedroom doorway, almost afraid to get closer. “What’s up?”
Why is he here? It’s a Monday. He should be at work.
“What do you want to do for your birthday?” His smile is hopeful, which worries me.
I don’t know how he wants to spend it, but I want to be with Crew. Maybe not on my actual birthday, but that’s okay. I can spend the next day with him. I want it to just be me and him, doing whatever I want to do.
My entire body flushes hot at the possibilities.
“Oh, I don’t know.” I shrug, hoping I don’t have to come up with an answer at this very moment.
“You said you wanted to go out of town.”
“I’ve changed my mind. I’d rather stay here.”
“You want to have the party here, after all? We can get invites out today.”
I slowly shake my head. “I don’t want to do that either. Not anymore.”
“But it’s your eighteenth birthday.” Daddy frowns. “It’s a special day. We should celebrate.”
He’s pushing me into a corner I won’t be able to get back out of. “Don’t you have to work?”
That’s always his excuse. He’s constantly working, and for once, I want him to be too busy to spend time with me.
“I can take some time off. I own the damn company.” He chuckles. “I wanted it to be a surprise, but I can’t contain it any longer. We’re going on a trip.”
“Who?”
“Me, you and your mother. For your birthday. To Aruba. We leave Christmas day. Your birthday.” He grins, looking pleased with himself.
While my heart falls. “I don’t want to go to Aruba.”
“It’s a beautiful resort, Pumpkin. I got us a family suite with three bedrooms. A private chef. The best they had available, which took some finagling since we planned this so last minute. We’ll be there for a week.”
A week without Crew. Leaving on my birthday. “Does Mother know about this?”
He shakes his head. “I haven’t told her yet. I’m sure she’ll be excited.”
I don’t want to sound ungrateful, but…
“I don’t want to go.”
He frowns. Takes a couple of steps toward me. “Why not? It’ll be fun, Pumpkin. A chance to get away. Get some sun and sit by the ocean. Forget all your troubles and school and snow.”
“I’d rather stay home. I don’t mind the snow. I can see what few friends I have while I’m here, and that’s enough for me.”
“I heard about your teacher. Figueroa?”
I go completely still. I’d forgot all about that. Out of sight, out of mind. “Oh.”
“You didn’t even tell me.”
“I sort of forgot, with everything else that happened.” I’m implying that he’s the reason I forgot, with his demands that I come straight home.
“You used to tell me everything. Now I have to find out from the news that your teacher was arrested for having sex with a minor.” He visibly shudders. “Imagine if he tried that with you?”
I don’t bother telling him he wanted to. He’d just put me under lock and key if he knew that. “I have to go, Daddy.”
“Where are you going? It’s so early. I’m surprised you didn’t sleep in. I know how much you like to.” His smile is gentle, and he’s trying. I can tell. But it’s almost as if he’s trying a little too late.
He spied on me. He’s never trusted me. He saw the photos of me and Crew together and that’s just so…
Embarrassing.
It’s going to take me a while to forgive him for that.
“I’m going to see Crew.” I stand up straighter, practically daring him to tell me I can’t.
His mouth thins into a firm line and he just stares at me for a moment. As if he can’t believe this is what I’ve turned into.
“We’re going on that trip.”
“No.” I shake my head. “You and Mom can go. I’m not.”
“I already paid for your ticket.”
“Well, ask for a refund. I don’t want to go. You can’t make me. I’m going to be eighteen in a few days. An adult.” I lift my chin, hoping he doesn’t see how this confrontation is making me shake.
He looks furious. I don’t do this—defy him. Ever. “You still live under my roof.”
“I’ll go live with someone else then, until I have to go back to school. I don’t really live here anyway.” I try to push past him, but he stops me, his fingers circling around my upper arm, keeping me from escaping.
“Who would you go live with, hmm? That supposed boyfriend of yours?”
I try to jerk out of his hold. “He’s not my boyfriend.”