Page 98 of Something Like Fate

I sigh, dragging my hands down my cheeks. “This is such a mess.”

He dips his chin forward. “It’s really not. This is how things were supposed to be,” he says vehemently, kneeling in front of me on the steps so we’re finally level. “Look, all I want is for you to be happy. And if the person you’re supposed to be with, who makes you happiest, is Caleb, then I have to be okay with that.”

My stomach cramps as I realize it could have been different.Could have been.

We’re quiet for a couple beats. “This changes things between us, doesn’t it?” he asks.

My eyes find his and he swallows. I think he knows the answer already. “Yeah. It does.”

37

It’s just Dad and me on the patio.

I fold myself into the slatted teak chair, only partially listening as Dad rehashes tomorrow’s travel details. Something about getting there early enough to drop the rental car off.

“I have to talk to you about something,” I blurt, unable to hold it in.Many things, if we’re being honest.

He resettles and turns toward me. “I was going to say the same.”

I grip the armrest, bracing myself. Mei must have told him. That’s why he’s so pale. I’m not scared that he’ll freak out or have some strong reaction. Dad is even, kind of like Teller. He rarely gets elevated about anything. But he makes this certain expression when he’s disappointed. And that’s what I’m terrified of. Disappointing him.

“Did Mei say something? About me deferring to stay with Caleb?” I ask, just as he says, “Wait, did Mei tell you about Scheana?”

It’s a face-off. “Scheana? Who is Scheana?” I ask over and over while he goes rigid, repeating, “You deferred?”

The onslaught comes next: “What are you thinking?” “What about our decision to stick it out for one more year?” “What are you planning to do instead?” “You can’t stay in a foreign country with someone you barely know!”

I don’t respond. All I want to know is “Who the heck is Scheana?”

This one got through to him.

“Is she your girlfriend or something?” I say flippantly, not really expecting that to be a possibility.

I note the way he’s fidgeting with his water bottle before he responds. “Yes.”

My stomach free-falls. Dad has a girlfriend? What in sweet hell?

His shoulders hitch. “I never expected it to happen—neither of us did.”

I turn away, though only partially. I need answers. “Who is she?”

“I met her a couple months ago. She’s new at work.” Maybe it’s because he also met Mom at work, but that stings.

“Why didn’t you tell me about her?” I ask, unable to hide my irritation.

“Because there was nothing to say at first. We started off just friends. She invited me to play pickleball and I didn’t realize it was a date.” Normally, I’d laugh at something like that, but right now all I feel is anger and resentment. “I didn’t want to say anything until I knew it was serious. And then when it got serious, you were on your trip and I wanted to tell you in person.”

I let out a snort. “Is that why you came all the way here? To tell me you have a girlfriend?”

His lips twist in offense. “No. I came to see you because I was concerned. And apparently, I had a right to be.”

“Youdon’tneed to be concerned. I’m perfectly fine,” I say, unable to cap the bitterness.

“You went backpacking, met some guy, and dropped out without even discussing it with me. Does that sound like someone who’s fine?”

“Dad, I deferred. I didn’t drop out. And I wanted to do it before I left a month ago. I didn’t tell you because I knew you’d react like this. Like you always have when I do something that’s not in line with your specific plan for me.” He rolls his eyes and I toss my arms in the air. “I never wanted to go to college in the first place. I told you it wasn’t for me—that I’d rather do something hands-on. Something with animals. And you couldn’t accept that. You just wanted me to be exactly like you,to follow in your footsteps. Be super smart and academic, do everything cookie cutter and conventional like you and Mom did.”

“And what’s so wrong with that? You always loved true crime. And science, you were so good at it. You’re capable of so much more if you’d just apply yourself.”

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