Page 76 of The Glittering Edge

“Mom wanted me to spend time in Cameroon. You promised her, right?”

The iPad falls to the table, and James’s hand curls into a fist. “You really think I forgot?”

“No, but that place is a part of me, and I barely get to—”

“If your mother was here to take you, I’d be fine with it. But she’s not.”

The silence that follows these words is painful. Warren reappears with a tray of water and coffee, but no sooner does he set down the glasses than James stands up, tucking his iPad under his arm. “Warren, I need to leave for the airport.”

Warren glances at James’s uneaten food, but he doesn’t argue.

“I’ll be back next weekend,” James says, not even looking at Corey as he leaves the room. Warren puts a hand briefly on Corey’s shoulder before he follows.

Corey tries to eat, but his mouth is dry and he can barely swallow.He has a weird urge to text the Cozy Mystery Book Club chat to distract himself. He already wrote a few lines for the curse-breaker, which Alonso reluctantly said were “good enough.” Maybe Corey should volunteer to take Alonso’s shift at the café today. That way, he could see how Penny is doing after what they witnessed at Second World Emporium.

Except Alonso would never switch shifts with him. And really, Corey shouldn’t invade Penny’s space. They’re barely friends, anyway. They’re just trauma bonded.

The thought sends Corey to the far corner of the library, where his dad’s liquor cabinet lives. He pours himself a glass of whiskey and takes a long swig. It burns going down, and it makes the world fuzzy around the edges. He sighs gratefully, dropping into the armchair and staring at the ceiling.

Did Corey’s dad really love his mom? The fact that she’s dead is proof enough, but Corey has a hard time imagining his dad loving anyone. He remembers watching a movie where the main character’s father couldn’t look at her because she looked like her dead mother. Is that why James treats Corey this way? Maybe Corey’s dad doesn’t see him as his son; maybe Corey is a reminder of what he lost.

Corey presses the whiskey glass to his forehead, and the cold brings him back to himself. He needs to focus on what he can control. He can try to break this curse with Penny and Alonso. He can try to save Mrs. Emberly. He can make sure Penny never loses someone the way he did. That she never has to live with that fear and anger.

If Corey never accomplishes anything else in his life, helping Penny Emberly break this curse would be enough. Maybe then, his dad will see him as more than an investment.

“Hey.”

Corey starts. Julian leans against the doorway, his brow furrowed.

“Mind if I sit?” Julian asks.

“Go for it.”

Julian slides into an armchair, propping his ankle on his knee. “Let me guess. You had lunch with your dad?”

Corey almost laughs. “I’m that easy to read?”

“I’ve known you your whole life, remember?” Julian’s smirk fades. “You okay?”

“I’m always okay.”

Julian rubs his chin. The dark circles under his eyes are pronounced today. “I get why your dad is so closed off. Taking care of this family and the company isn’t easy.”

“I’m not sure that’s it,” Corey says. “Working all the time gives him an excuse to keep us at a distance.”

“Maybe that’s why I want it so bad. So I can be left alone.” Julian is trying to joke, but his words are strained.

“How’s Grandpa?” Corey asks.

“Fine, I guess.”

“See?” Corey says, swirling his drink. “I told you he’d get over it.”

“Something feels off, though.”

“You’re being paranoid. Grandpa knows what he’s doing.”

A new voice echoes from the doorway. “My, my. I’ve arrived just in time for you to give me a compliment.”

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