Page 92 of Vicious Saint
Clearly she underestimates my best friend’s need to abide by rules and regulations.
After denying Darla’s offer to bring me a plate of food, I respond, “There are no other options. The girls’ dorms are closed until at least the start of school.”
“Thereisanother option,” Mom returns, thanking Darla before she walks away. “You just don’t like it.”
“Correction. Hate it. And already said it’s not happening.”
She nudges her plate closer to me, holding out the fork. When I cross my arms she shrugs, helping herself to some scrambled eggs.
“It would be a great chance to get to know Theory better, maybe even…”
“Seriously?” I interject before she even says his name. “You want me to get to know the guy who beat up a wedding guest?Ruined your wedding? Prevented you and Vic from going on your honeymoon?”
“Everybody has their mental struggles, you of all people should understand that.”
“Uh, yeah. But does everybody take them out on cute innocent college guys?”
“No. They don't. But you weren’t there. Which means you don’t know the whole story.”
Yeah…that.
I may or may not have kept my word about staying silent.
And may or may not have also taken it a step further by pretending I was sound asleep in my suite.
I know, I know. Add it to my list of moral grievances.
“I’d love to see you justify that to the police when they come knocking.”
She freezes. “Why on earth would they come knocking? Did you say something?”
“Uh, no. But nice to know how you’d feel if I did.”
“This is a family issue, Hendrix. We have to keep it that way. We don’t need any unwanted attention.”
There she is.
The lady that raised me.
That knew being involved with problematic men would get us in nothing but trouble. Which is precisely why she fled the last one even before he was locked up.
I know I should tell her this isn’tmyfamily problem, but I’m really trying to maintain a healthy balance of petty contempt.
“Good luck with steering clear of attention. If you’re not already aware, Vic’s son tends to gather the worst kind.”
“Which is why I know Vic has his reasons for sending Saint to Europe.”
“And your naivety is why IknowI can’t live here, not even for two seconds.”
Mom’s cell phone rings, so she reaches into her pocket to see who it is. Her jaw tightens, then she silences the call.
Interesting.
“Need to get that?” I ask when she plucks a piece of bacon off her plate.
“Nope.”
“Well, maybe you should.”
