Page 50 of Revolve
His words are an ice pick to my solid resolve, but I don’t let him see that.
“After everything we’ve been through as a family, I know this isn’t a Band-Aid solution to our problems. But this vow renewal means a lot to your mother.”
Means a lot to your mother. Nothim. The words leave a bitter taste in my mouth. I wait for him to continue, but he just stands there, staring at me like it’s my turn.
“Is that all?”
He exhales. “Your mother would appreciate it if you would put aside our personal differences and join us in the renewal of our vows. I’ve done some things in the past that I’m not proud of, and I want to start fresh. I love her, Dylan. I love you too.”
“Congrats,” I say. “I’ll have to check my schedule.”
My dad looks at me as though he wants to say more but thinks better of it. “I brought something for you,” he finally says, acknowledging the large white box in his hands. He places it on the coffeetable, and I see the lavender envelope sitting on top. “It’s your tux for the ceremony. Your mother picked it out, and wrote you this letter.”
I stare at the envelope on the box, deciding then that I’ll never open it.
“Your friends are welcome to come. We’ll be sending out their invitations soon.”
Knowing it’s my mom who’s running around, finalizing all the details for their ceremony, makes anger bubble beneath my skin. While he’s out late at night, she waits for him at their glass home, clinging to the same hope she’s had ever since he built this business.
“You don’t need to invite my friends,” I say.
He doesn’t respond, only stares at me for so long that I eventually gesture for him to leave. “I’d prefer it if you confirmed your attendance.”
“And I’d prefer if you never came here with your half-assed apology.”
His jaw tightens. “I won’t tolerate your disrespect. You think you can talk to your mother like that because she lets you get away with it, but that won’t be the case with me.”
“Right, because you’re the only one who’s allowed to disrespect her.”
“Dylan—”
“Next time you want to apologize, try using the words ‘I’m sorry,’” I spit out. “Get out of my house.”
His eyes blaze with intensity, and I know that right here, right now, the only thing left of our relationship will be its ashes.
“Leave. Now,” I say, bracing for his cold response. Instead, he walks out of the house without a second glance. His presence lingers in the air like a sticky film
Just a minute later, the front door swings open again, and I’m about to raise my voice, when Kian rushes inside. “Was that yourdad?”
NINETEEN
SIERRA
“YOU TWO AREgoing on a date,” Lidia says.
I spit out my water, slapping a hand over my mouth. My eyes dart to Lidia while Dylan’s gaze sears the side of my face. I wipe the water off my pink zip-up that I wore to trick Lidia into thinking I was turning on my “green light.” That was a talk she had with me every year because body language and appearance says everything, and mine was telling everyone to fuck off.
She’s not wrong.
“Joking around doesn’t really suit you, Lidia,” I say.
She narrows her eyes. “When have I ever joked?”
“But we should be using every second we have to skate; there is no way that’s your solution.”
Dylan hasn’t said a word, and the silence is making my ears itch. He should be opposing this just as strongly as I am. The last thing we need ismoretime together.
Since I spent most of practice avoiding eye contact with him, it takes me a good while to meet his gaze. He catches my attempt to get him to take my side, but he must suck at reading facial cues because he says, “I think that’s a great idea.”
