Page 99 of Conspiracies and Chemistry

“What’s wrong?” I asked, striding toward him.

“Nothing? But your dad’s here.” He winced. “Surprise?”

Cold prickles erupted in my belly. Why had he shown up tonight, when I had friends over? “Shit.”

My father pushed past Oliver. “Happy solstice.”

“The solstice isn’t until next week. And I didn’t think you were coming this year. Not after last year.”

He looked down at his socks. (Fortunately, he had enough manners to toe off his muddy boots at the door.) “About that. I might not agree with how you’ve decided to use your talents, but you’re my daughter, and I shouldn’t have protested at your place of employment.” He looked me in the eye. “I’m sorry.”

I couldn’t recall that he’d ever apologized to me before. Had one of his conspiracies come true? Had the chemtrails tamed him? Had aliens flipped on the obedience chip he claimed they’d installed? “Um. Okay. Still, you could’ve let me know you were coming.”

“I try not to alert the G-men of my whereabouts.” And now he was back to the father I recognized.

“Right, right. I’ve got guests, so?—”

Lucie walked into the kitchen, shielding her eyes. “I can’t wait any longer. I’m coming to get my own snacks. You guys better not be having a threesome in here.” Dropping her hand, she took in my dad’s worn jeans, his Army-surplus jacket, and his scruffy white beard. “Oh. Hello.”

“Hi, Mr. Wright.” Bridget stepped up to him and extended her hand. She was clearly still in work mode with her heels and black sheath dress. “Remember me? I’m Bridget.”

“Tessa’s friend, the corporate sellout,” he growled, not taking her hand.

“You do remember,” she said brightly. Her hand fell to her side.

“Stop, Dad,” I said, trying to keep the frustration out of my voice. “Bridget is not only very successful but also serves on the board of several philanthropic organizations.”

“Your dad?” Lucie waved. “Hi. I’m Tessa’s friend Lucie Knox.”

“Holden Caulfield.”

“Dad.” I glared at him. “This is my father, Barry Wright.”

Lucie surveyed him like she was memorizing the buzz cut he gave himself. Maybe she hoped to interview him later. His mindwaskind of fascinating.

“What’ve you got going on here, Tessa?” he asked gruffly.

“My girlfriends are here. We’re having a party.”

“Party?” He narrowed his eyes. “That doesn’t sound like you.”

“No.” I huffed out a laugh. “It doesn’t. Still, I invited my friends over tonight.”

Lucie and Savannah stepped closer, bracketing me between them. Bridget crossed her arms and flashed Dad a challenging stare.

“Mhm. Butheisn’t a girlfriend.” Dad jerked a thumb at Oliver. Bless him, Oliver hadn’t taken the opportunity to slink out the way I might have. He stood staunchly in the corner, arms folded, watching my dad’s every gesture.

“No, Dad.” I took a deep breath. “Oliver lives here. He’s my boyfriend.”

“Boyfriend?” he scoffed. He trailed his gaze over Oliver, from his too-long hair, which I loved to bury my fingers in, to his soft cashmere sweater and polished loafers. “You’re that fella from the fake cancer laboratory.”

Oliver pushed away from the wall. “It’s not fake. We do very real science there. Tessa’s the CEO and has made some significant contributions herself.”

“She bought into their lies when she went off to college.” Dad spat the last word like he always did, even though he and my mom had gone. “Still, it’s a good idea to have a man around here. Do you know how to shoot?”

Oliver chuckled. “Does skeet count? I went out a few times with my dad and grandpa. I got pretty good at archery at summer camp.”

My dad pierced him with a stony gaze. “Your summer-camp bow and arrows aren’t going to protect anyone when the lizard people come for us. Neither is Tessa’s flimsy security system.”

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