Page 57 of Silver Player

“Tell anybody that yet?” Sadie has me pinned, and the question bowls me over because she knows I haven’t. My facial expression gives it away, and it must have been what she saw before she didn’t expose me to Kristy.

“I want to tell my family first,” I remind her, but Sadie tips her chin like she doesn’t believe me. “Thanksgiving actually. I’d like to invite you and Roxie to dinner at my parents’ house.”

The words tumble out before I realize what I’m saying, and I watch as Sadie’s face morphs from disbelief to concern. “Are you sure that will be a good time to expose us?”

It’s not exposure. She isn’t a dirty little secret. I just want to do the right thing at the right time and be surrounded by family. So my dad won’t go apeshit. So my mom won’t overreact. They can save their responses for the day after.

“It will be perfect.” However, I already know it won’t. I can already picture the disappointment on my father’s face and the questioning glare from my mother. How could something like this happen? Elaina’s voice grates through my thoughts although she doesn’t want the semantics of sex.

How could you divorce that sweet girl? Did you fool around with someone else?

Always my fault.

They’ll never accept that I didn’t know about Sadie, and I’m just as upset that it took sixteen years and a few months to discover the truth myself.

“Have you asked Roxie?” Sadie questions, her voice dropping.

“I thought I’d ask you first. Want to come to Thanksgiving dinner and meet the rest of your family?”

Family, I watch the word silently form on Sadie’s lip.

“Sure.” She shrugs as she chews her lip.

“Now, I have a question. Who is he?” I tip my head back, insinuating the kid who walked past us. “Hi…Christian,” I imitate her and add a giggle for emphasis. “Is he your type?”

Sadie smacks my shoulder. “Nooooo,” she drags out, but her eyes search over my head. He’s back there, and he better fucking notice her.

Wait.

Halt.

Rewind.

He better not fucking notice her. She’s too young to date, and I don’t want her dating any Christian Grady character. It sounds like that dude from those hot books made into movies and…

“Oh, hell no,” I mutter aloud. “Bear Grady’s son?” I twist in my seat to look over my shoulder, and sure enough, Bear Grady is sitting at the bar while his kid picks up a tray of drinks. He’s way too young to serve alcohol, but this place doesn’t exactly follow the rules, especially as his dad is the owner and a member of Rebel’s Edge. “No way, Sadie. Roxie will freak out.”

For a moment, I’m almost excited at the possibility, but then I turn back to Sadie, her face horrified.

“I mean, I don’t think Roxie will approve.” I lower my voice and tamper my enthusiasm because deep down inside, I’m the one disapproving. No dating. Not at sixteen. Not Christian Grady. Not any boy who will ever do anything to you like I’ve done to women. I shudder with the thought.

Oh God, I won’t survive fatherhood.

22

Panic…and other modes of anxiety.

[Roxanne]

“Where the hell have you been?” I screech, standing from the kitchen table where I’ve been sitting for the last hour calling everyone I know who might know Sadie. Hospitals were next on my list as my thoughts raced to a car crash during her driving lesson.

Sadie looks up at Billy, who stands behind her, and he has the decency to look chagrined. It’s been hours since he took her for a driving lesson, and neither one of them has answered their phones during that time.

“We lost track of time,” Billy offers, but my eyes leap to Sadie.

“Are you okay? Did something happen?” I scan her body for evidence of anything amiss. I’m overreacting, especially when I see Billy’s hand come to Sadie’s shoulder.

“It was amazing,” Sadie says to me, and the moment her face lights up, relief should wash through me. Instead, I’m filled with jealousy and additional anger.