Page 83 of Miss Treated

This time I did laugh. Such a tough guy: he was scared of his mother and anyone who might tell on him to her.

Gabe sighed. “I’m off to make my rounds, so I can get out of here once the cake is cut. Leo talk to you about getting a drink tonight?”

Nic nodded. “Yeah. I’m in.”

“Good. See you at Bombas at eight. Nice to meet you, Kelsey.”

“You too.” I wasn’t sure I meant it.

“Congratulations. You’ve passed the Chambers family gauntlet,” Dominic told me. “You may now level up. Did you need to replenish your health first or would you rather leave the game?”

His video game reference made me grin. “It would be a shame not to progress to level two. But I might need a glass of wine to get me through.”

He lifted my hand and kissed my wrist. “One big glass coming your way.”

Chapter Forty-Three

Dominic

If I didn’t already love Kelsey, I would’ve fallen head over heels as I watched her navigate my family. She hadn’t taken any shit from Sophia, she’d stood up to Leo, and best of all, she’d handled Gabe when he was in a mood—she’d even had him apologizing for it.

It was like watching a lioness realize she was in fact a lioness, and I couldn’t have been prouder.

“How about we go find some snacks? Then after the birthday cake is served, we’ll head out. I want time with you before I go meet my brothers for drinks.”

“Sounds good.”

After making our rounds in the backyard and eating some appetizers, we walked inside the house. My mother was coming out of my father’s office with a frown on her face.

“What’s going on?” I asked.

She took a deep breath. “Your father is on a work call. On a Saturday. During his birthday party while I’m trying to gather people to cut the cake.”

I supposed Dad would be getting the wrath of my mother later tonight. She’d been planning this party for months. He’d only needed to step away from the job for a few hours, but he couldn’t. This was proof, as if I’d needed more, that this career wasn’t for me.

“You want me to go in and talk to him?”

“No. Don’t bother, honey.”

Aunt Sophia came walking into the foyer. “Let me guess: Gerard is working and spoiling your party?”

Normally my mother stuck up for my dad, but not today. Today she just looked sad.

As if on cue, my father’s office door opened, and he walked out. He stopped short when he saw us all standing there.

Of course Sophia couldn’t resist taking a jab. “Way to go, Gerard. You’ve managed to piss on your own party by putting work first.”

My father’s jaw clenched. “Maybe if other people did their job properly, I wouldn’t have to take phone calls on a Saturday.”

Oh, shit, I hoped this wasn’t the start of an epic battle.

“What are you insinuating?” Sophia demanded.

My dad focused on my mom, who was glaring at him. Whatever was escalating, he attempted to de-escalate on her behalf. “Nothing. Let’s get back to the party.”

Sophia wasn’t having it. “No, you don’t. You want to fling accusations and then say everything is okay? I don’t think so. Don’t pretend like you’re the only one who works hard.”

My father’s face turned red. “At least I earn my money.”