Page 48 of The Girl and the Cobra

He means Jordan. None of us ever thought Jordan could do what he did. I don’t think any of us would’ve bet that Jordan had a single bad bone in his body. He was always full of charming smiles, always knew what to say; everyone loved him.

But now… now I’m starting to realize that Dr. Wolf might’ve been right in his original assessment. Jordan knew how to play people. He knew what to say, what to do, to get them to do whatever he wanted, including me and my parents. My brother was a master manipulator.

The thing is, it’s not the same with Tristan—though I can’t tell my dad that. When I asked, Tristan told. He shared every harsh, horrid, unimaginable detail from his past, and he didn’t have to. No one forced him to. I might not know what his favorite color is or what his favorite movie is, but I feel like I know him so much better than I ever did Jordan.

Jordan hid the true blackness of his soul. Tristan never did.

“Just believe me,” I say. “He’d never hurt me.” My dad makes a strange sound after that, causing me to ask, “What?”

“Now I’m wondering if I should be worried for a different reason.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“He’s a boy.”

“He’s not a boy.”

“That’s even worse! If he’s not a boy, then he’s a man—and I don’t know if I’m ready for my daughter to like men. I thought we’d be on boys for a few more years… you know, nothing too serious until after college—”

I have to sit up as I ask, “What are you talking about?”

My dad must not hear me. “I guess it makes sense, since it’s just you, Tristan, and Dr. Wolf in that house, but I didn’t think I’d have to worry about my daughter falling for someone—”

“I never said I was doing anything like that.” Although, if it’s said, it wouldn’t exactly be a lie, but with how concerned he sounds about it, it’s probably not the best thing for him to hear right now.

“You don’t have to. Every time I call, you bring him up. Plus, when I come over to eat dinner with you, he’s always with you, sitting way too close.” Under his breath, he huffs, “I thought maybe he just doesn’t understand personal space, but now… it all makes sense.”

“Dad, come on.” With my free hand, I pick at the blanket on my lap. “It’s not what you’re thinking.”

“It’s not? Somehow I don’t believe you. You’ve been interested in Tristan since the first moment you saw him. You brought him up when we went to get pizza, right after your first session with Dr. Wolf.”

“Just because I bring him up doesn’t mean—” I stop myself.

My dad’s voice comes out in a deadpan, “Yeah, see? You can’t even deny it.”

I sigh. “Okay, fine. Say I do, you know, like him. What would you say?”

“I would ask if Dr. Wolf knows.”

“If you asked me that question, I would say he does.”

“Then I would say why the hell didn’t the man give me a call to let me know my daughter, the one in his care, is spending a lot of time with the other patient in his care.” My dad clears his throat. When he speaks again, his voice is gentler, less judgmental, “You are, technically, an adult. I can’t force you into making any decisions, Mabel. Just promise me you’ll be safe and make smart choices when it comes to sex—”

“Oh, my God, Dad!” I bury my face with my other hand, feeling my cheeks heat up. Thank goodness he’s not here, in the room, staring at me while he tells me this. I don’t think I could bear it. And on that note, it’s a good thing Tristan is nowhere nearby, too. I’d feel even more embarrassed.

“What? I was young once. I know what kids your age do. I’d rather rip out my brain than think about it, but… just promise me you’ll be smart. Use protection. Maybe we should get you on birth control.”

“Dad, please, stop. Just… just stop.” I literally want to crawl into a hole and never come out again, ever. This is the most mortifying conversation I’ve ever had with my dad in my life. Seriously. No joke. I wish I could rewind time and never bring up Tristan to him.

“Maybe you should give the phone to Dr. Wolf, so we can discuss—”

“I’ll hang up and destroy every phone in the house before I give the phone to Dr. Wolf so you two can talk about that,” I mutter.

My dad asks, “You’re aware he has a cell phone I could call? Actually, that’s a better idea all around. Got to go, honey. Have a very important call to make. Goodnight, love you.”

“Dad, don’t—” But before I can say anything else, the call ends.

Oh, shit. I mean, I knew it was only a matter of time before my dad found out about whatever’s going on between Tristan and me, but I didn’t think it’d happen this soon… and I definitely didn’t think one of my dad’s first thoughts would be to get me on birth control.

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