Me:
I don’t know how long dinner will take
Caden:
I’m bringing Ava over, little nympho
Harper:
*smiley face emoji*
Your parents aren’t home?
Caden:
Not yet. Soon.
Harper:
Mom says come for dinner
This week is already going to be fucked.
Luke:
My old man is in town. I’m going home tonight to check things out.
Meaning he’s going to determine how long his dad is in town and for what purpose. Their dinner with him and Harper will likely happen this week. We have a week before Homecoming week, which will be filled with too much as always.
Me:
Tonight. Webcam. 8
I set my phone to the side and stretch. It’s almost dinner time. If I’m not down there, Mom will come up to get me. I head downstairs.
Voices rise from the dining room. More than one female voice. What the?—
I step into the dining room and my mom turns with a smile and so does Ashley Kim.
“Eli, I was just going to send Ashley up to get you.” Mom’s smile is big and knowing. “It’s been so long since we’ve seen her. I had to invite her to dinner.”
My insides boil. What the fuck is Ashley doing here? But I don’t let it show.
“I thought tonight was a family dinner.” I smile politely at Ashley, who smiles like this happens all the time. My mom has met her maybe once or twice in the house.
“It was supposed to be, but your father had to go in to fix a problem at work.” Mom’s eyes dull slightly before she brightens again. “So we have enough for Ashley to stay.”
“Maybe I should go.” Ashley gestures to the door.
“Nonsense.” Mom waves it away like a bad smell. “You should stay. It’s so nice to see Eli’s friends. And I really enjoyed our conversation on Parent’s Night when you wore my Eli’s jersey.”
She wraps her arm around Ashley’s shoulders and pulls her into the dining room, talking about school. I pull out my phone and text Jack.
Me:
Turn on my webcam and record
Jack:
