“What are your thoughts on the niece? Her aunt, Allison Risk, has asked to be nominated for the empty seat on the church event committee. ”
And there’s my answer. Respectability. If Beth is an outcast, then Beth’s guardians will be considered bad parents. Mom wants the prestige of nominating Scott Risk’s wife, but she doesn’t want the scandal of nominating the guardian of the “bad girl. ” Both Mom and Dad’s families have been members of this community since the first foundations of home and church were laid hundreds of years ago.
The Stones are a legacy.
“She’s interesting. ”
Mom turns. “Interesting. What does that mean?”
I shrug. It means that Beth’s in the way of my winning a dare. It means she tries my patience. It means I want to see her tattoo.
“Interesting. ”
Mom rubs her forehead in frustration. “Fine.
She’s interesting. If you discover another word, you know where to find me. ”
Yep, I do. If in public, she’ll be right next to Dad. In private, the exact opposite of where Dad will be. Mom pauses at the door frame.
“And Ryan, I talked to Mrs. Rowe this evening. ”
I dip my head and briefly close my eyes. Not good. Not good at all. “Uh-huh. ”
“She’s curious as to when you’ll be turning in your paperwork for the final writing competition in Lexington. ”
Damn. I raise my head, but my shoulders stay slumped as I look at Mom. “I’m not doing it. It interferes with ball. ”
Mom stiffens. “Was that your father’s decision or yours?”
“Mine. ” The word comes out fast. The last thing I want is for them to get into another twelve-round fight, especially over me.
“I’m sure it was. ” Mom gives a dismissive wave.
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Something inside me snaps. “Logan saw Mark in Lexington a few weeks ago. He asked about us. ”
Mom becomes uncharacteristically still.
“Logan knows, Mom. So does Chris. ”
Fury flashes over her face. “If your father finds out you told anyone…If anyone in town finds out…”
“They won’t tell. ”
She closes her eyes for a second as she releases air. “Please remember what happens in this house stays in this house. Chris and Logan are your friends. They are not family. ”
A simmering anger settles at the bottom of my stomach. How can she shut out her emotions for her oldest son? “Don’t you miss him?”
“Yes. ” Her immediate answer catches me off guard. “But there’s too much at stake. ”
“What does that mean?” I ask.
Mom scans my room. Her eyes linger on my posters. “I think I’m going to redo your room.
Blue isn’t your color. ”
Beth