He shakes his head. “I don’t want to go. I’ll stay home.”
I should probably let it go. I don’t want to. “No. You’re going.”
Jasper slides his hand into mine, squeezing gently. I’m not gonna argue with him about it, even though that squeeze felt like him telling me not to worry about it. Worrying about it is my fucking job. And I’m so tired of Salem acting like this. Iknowhe’s having a hard time, and Iknowthis isn’t his fault, but goddamn. “Jasper is offering to take us to dinner. As a family. You’re going.”
Nora takes a step back and then another before she turns on her heel and rushes toward the house, inputting the code and disappearing inside. After pressing a quick kiss to my temple, Jasper jogs after her. I’m thankful for it. Even though I hate that she needs regulation after I promised there wouldn’t be fighting or anger here.
Salem crosses his arms over his chest. “You’re not the boss of me.”
I have no idea how parents control their impulses. I guess some don’t. And that’s why we’re here. That’s why Salem is having such a hard time. Frustration courses through my veins. “I’ve let you get by with a lot of shit, Salem. I’ve let you disrespect me and Jasper and even Nora. But not tonight. Youwillgo to dinner with us. This is not up to you to decide, and last time I checked, Iamthe boss of you.”
His nostrils flare as he stands stiffly between me and the house. He looks like he’s gearing up for a fight, and you know what? Let him. Maybe we need a good argument. Maybe that’ll be the only way I get him to open up.
Finally, he breaks the tense silence. “I’ll go to your stupid fucking dinner. But I’m not going to be happy about it.”
I laugh. “I’m not surprised. You’re never fucking happy about anything.”
As soon as the words leave my mouth, I want to take them back. Hurt flashes in his eyes, but he hides it quickly. “I’m going to my room. Tell me when it’s time to leave.”
He turns on his heel and goes inside.
I stare after him for a second before dropping my face into my hands and drawing in a deep breath. I really am fucking this all up.
“Whatkindoffooddo they have here?” Nora asks, opening her menu.
I’m opening my mouth to tell her they have mac and cheese on the kids’s menu when Salem snorts. “All kinds, Nora. That’s obvious.”
“Salem.” It’s a warning. The only one he’s going to get from me. “Can we just have one single night without you being mean to everyone around you? Please.”
Tense silence falls over the table. Jasper clears his throat, opening his menu. “I think I’m gonna get a steak. I might splurge on a lobster tail too.” He pauses, then glances around. “As long as no one has any shellfish allergies.”
I shake my head, offering him a smile. “No allergies at all.”
“What about you, Salem?” Jasper asks, glancing over his menu at him. “Do you like steak?”
Salem shrugs. “Don’t know.”
“You’ve never had it?”
He looks up, staring at Jasper like he’s lost his mind. “Not like I’ve had a lot of opportunity. We barely had five dollars to go to the pool, which youknow,so why do you think I was eating steak?”
Fuck.
“I’m sorry,” Jasper says softly. “That was insensitive of me. I bet you’d like it if you tried it. It’s really good.”
Salem shrugs. “Maybe.”
He opens his menu, eyes scanning the options.
“What about you, baby boy?” Jasper asks.
I drum my fingers on the table, looking over the menu. “I think steak and lobster sounds pretty dang good, actually.”
“Well,Iwant mac and cheese and chicken nuggets,” Nora says, closing her menu and doing a little shimmy in the booth.
“I bet that’ll be good. What kind of sauce are you gonna get?” Jasper asks, smiling at her.
“Honey mustard. Duh. Or maybe ranch.”
