Page 97 of Diem

Did Dad ruin her too?

∞∞∞

Later, I tiptoe down the hall and stand at the top of the staircase as Mom and Dad go at it again.

This time though, I drop to my ass and listen. Whatever their issues, they’re bleeding into mine and I can't afford to stick my head in the sand any longer.

“You’re being ridiculous, Nunnie,” Dad says, and I wince.

Since it’s the same damn tone Mom used with me earlier, I know exactly how she feels. Chastened and confused, sums it up nicely.

“Me? I’m ridiculous? You’re the asshole that invited those freaks into our home. Where is he, Ken? Don’t I have a right to know? This is my life, too.”

His sigh is long and loud, and I lean my head against the banister when he says, “I don't know where he is, but you have nothing to worry about. I’m taking care of it.”

Scoffing, she slams something around and I jump when she breaks the silence. “How can you possibly be taking care of it? What if he says something? What if—“

“He’s not going to say a damn word,” Dad barks. “He’s gone. He’s been gone for over a year.”

The silence that follows inspires me to lean forward and I almost slip down the step when Mom says softly, “And the boat?”

“I’m taking care of it.”

I spy Dad’s head when he rounds the corner. Thankfullyhe doesn’t look my way, before turning into the living area. Still my heart is in my throat, and I hightail it back to my room before locking the door and falling to the bed.

That was really freaking close.

If Frank is truly gone as Diem said and my dad seemingly confirmed, then he can’t be the one who killed Dixie but that doesn’t excuse my father and I have a sneaking suspicion Diem’s been trying to throw me off the scent.

Because it’s my dad or something worse? Is there something worse? What’s the deal with the boat? Where is it?

Would Diem know how to find it? Hm.

Grabbing my phone, I open the text string with Diem but pause when a new one comes through. It’s from Harriet.Did you see this?

Clicking on the link, I enter social media and pull up the post, staring at it dumbly. It’s Maxie’s account and she’s posted about Hailey who’s leaning over a toilet and puking her guts out. The message reads:Guesswho’s knocked up.

Knocked up? Hailey’s pregnant? That really fucking sucks for her…Holy shit, is it Diem’s?

Oh my god. I fucked Diem again and he’s about to have a kid with my illegitimate sister.

Swallowing the bile rising in my throat, I make it to the toilet just in time and after, I laugh bitterly until I have nothing left to give.

I’m such an idiot.

∞∞∞

Three hours later, I’m swaying to the music with a drink in hand, when a cute guy approaches. After reading the post that Hailey’s supposed friend shared with the masses, I found myself standing in the bathroom and staring at my makeup drawer.

But before I could do something, I couldn’t take back,again, I called Harriet. This may not be a good idea, considering my dad’s decree, but it’s a safer bet than being alone with my swirling thoughts.

Now I’m eyeing the cute guy with a drunken smile but before I can speak, a shadow falls across us and I look up into Matt’s glittering eyes.

“Matt,” I say with a wan smile, the cute guy forgotten. Alcohol may be dulling my senses but it’s not nearly enough to forget Matt’s cruel words from the other evening.

Matt searches my gaze and slumps before saying heavily, “Hey Maeve, I know I fucked up and I’m sorry.”

It’s the apology I’m due but I don’t know if it's enough. Looking away, I whisper, “What you said was really mean, Matt. I never expected that from you.”

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