Page 38 of Some Like It Fox

“No.” The word snaps out of me before I can restrain the strength of my response. “I’m not doing this with you, Mindy.”

Silence stretches around the room, enfolding everyone at the dining table in the most awkward hug in the world.

Only Jake is immune. He reaches across the table and snags another slice of pizza from one of the boxes, taking a giant bite.

I’m incapable of pretending like things are fine when they aren’t. They haven’t been fine, not in a long while.

Finley watches me, her eyes sad.

I shove down the guilt like I always do.

I’m done pretending everything is okay when it’s not.

I don’t want to be in the same room with Mindy, let alone make polite conversation while our family hangs on every word—probably so they can talk about it later.

Mindy pushes back her chair and stands. “Sorry, uh, excuse me, I told Luke I would call him when I got in, and I realized I haven’t checked in yet.” She offers a tense smile to the table, avoiding eye contact with me, and then disappears up the stairs toward the bedrooms.

Once her footsteps recede, Finley turns to me with pleading eyes. “Taylor, if you’d just give her a chance—”

“It’s not your choice to make,” I snap. I swallow and then stand. “I’m sorry. I... I need some air.” I stalk into the kitchen and exit through the side door.

Outside, I take a deep breath and then head toward the dirt path that leads around the property line. The sun won’t set for another hour at least. I need to burn off the emotions battling in my chest: anger, shame, and frustration mixed with a wallop of embarrassment.

Finley always takes Mindy’s side. I shouldn’t be surprised. They’re only a year apart, Irish twins, Dad used to call them.

Mindy and I used to be close. The closest out of all my siblings, despite the five-year age gap.

I walk faster, rounding a slight incline, enjoying the burn in my muscles—a balm to the fire raging under my skin.

I hate the way my relationship with Mindy has been. I want to forgive her, I just can’t. I’m too mad. Mad that I showed her my shame, gave her a piece of my guilt, and she stomped on my heart for years and now she gets to decide it’s all good? It’s not fair.

Maybe I could have handled dinner better. With a bit more maturity. God, what must Atticus think?

If he wasn’t going to call before, he definitely won’t now. Is there anything more unattractive than acting like a petulant brat during family dinner?

Embarrassed heat floods through me. I basically threw myself at his feet and offered my body on a silver platter and he ghosted me.

I’m a moron.

I wish I could leave. Just jump in my bus and go. But I can’t, not for another month or longer. So instead I pick up the pace and run along the dirt path, faster and faster. I run until my muscles burn and my lungs ache.

But I can’t outrun myself.

ChapterEleven

Atticus

When I agreed to dinner and drinks at Veronica’s with some of the other counselors, I did not expect it to be only me and Eve.

“Where is everyone?” The bar is packed. It’s a Friday night, but it’s still more crowded than normal. The tables are all taken, but we manage to get a booth in the corner large enough for the five in our group... and three of them aren’t here yet. Eve told me they had agreed to meet at six. It’s six fifteen and it’s still just the two of us.

“They’ll be here,” Eve says. “I’m sure they’re running late.”

Across the bar, Taylor emerges from the kitchen, carrying a tray of plates.

I also didn’t expect Taylor to be our server.

My chest goes tight at the sight of her, my breathing suddenly shallow.

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