Page 33 of Charity's Torment

“Your cheeks are so red; you look sunburned.”

Max’s phone pinged, and he opened the message, taking his eyes and attention off of me.

Me: 6. Casual. No wine. I know how you Italians are, but Mom is a milk kind-of girl.

Those evil three dots bounced again, and Max chuckled while staring at his phone.

“What’s so funny?”

“Nothing.” He obliterated the grin from his face like it never existed. I peered at him with incredulity.

Nico: Meeting the parents, and I don’t get wine? What did I sign up for?

Me: An early visit to Hell?

Nico: With you by my side…

Me: I’ll protect you from her vicious claws.

“Nico is meeting my parents,” I told him.

Max suffocated on his soda, and large wet drops splattered across my face. He sputtered and hacked a lung as I wiped the debris from my face. “Thanks.”

“Sorry,” he said, continuing his coughing. “So, Nico gets to meet the parents before me?”

“Don’t sound gypped. I promise you aren’t missing out. You don’t want to meet my pretentious mother, trust me.” My phone shrilled its long tone.

I sat back in my chair, propped my feet up on the table, and then answered the phone. “Hi, Mom.”

Max’s eyes bugged, and his chewing slowed so he could overhear.

“Hi, Dear. I meant to call you earlier, but I was busy. I ran into Christopher today, and he said he has been trying to call you. Evidently…” She chuckled. “I gave him the wrong number.”

“Bummer.”

“Christopher said he bought tickets for tonight, and he’s been calling. So I told him I’d tell you to meet him at the carnival.”

“Aww,man… I’d just like to say… I’m no longer doing this anymore. This is the last one.”

“Yes, yes. I know. Your father and I had a long discussion.” She didn’t sound too thrilled about having to relinquish management of my life, but tough shit.

“Good. What time?” I peeked at my watch; it was five to six.

“Seven.”

“What? Mom, come on.”

“I know. I’m sorry. The day got away from me.”

“Ugh, I’ve got to go. Bye.” I hung up and tossed my phone on the table. “If I didn’t at least have some shred of morals, I’d kill her.” I drove my fingers through my hair and let it pour down my back. “I’d dig a shallow grave somewhere in the woods and forget about her.”

“You would not.” He flipped through the reports before him without making eye contact.

“You’re right. I wouldn’t. I love her too much. Even though she is a villain.” I rounded up my things and found my car keys covered in greasy fries.Ew. “I have to go. Date with the freak tonight.”

“Good luck,Bella.”

His absence of interest in my conversation was puzzling. Before the talk about Nico, he was engaging and happy. Now… I’d say he’s almost resentful.

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