Page 167

I put my bag on the inside of my door and step into the hallway, locking my door behind me. I straighten and head to the dining room. There are some things I’d love to talk to my father about. Harper made it clear that she doesn’t want to ruin any more lives. That unless we can take down William Foster without him slipping free, it just isn’t worth it.

That’s not a great answer though. There were three people left at the quarry that night. William Foster, Sean Davidson, and my dad. We only saw two men walk away from that clearing and only one man has been missing for thirteen years. My father knows something.

Muffled voices float out of the dining room as I approach the doors. When I open them, Ava, Mom, and Dad turn to watch me walk in. Whatever they were discussing is forgotten.

Mom smiles. “I’m so glad you could join us.”

I nod and take my chair at the table. I glance at the time on my phone before setting it face up next to my plate. If the others need me, I’m out of here. They’re my priority.

My father leans back in his chair. “How are you and your friends doing, Caden?”

The note of something like concern in his voice makes me narrow my eyes on him as someone sets a plate of food in front of me. There’s a part of me that longs for my parents to be real parents again and another part that hates that they’re even trying now.

I glance at my phone screen and see the picture of Harper and me from before the dance I set as my background. She was so fucking happy. I think of all the times I’ve held her when she cried. All the times she was happy. I want to hold her every time she feels anything. I want to give her the family I wish I had.

But Harper would give my parents a chance. Just like she gave us a chance.

I pick up my fork and lift my gaze to my father’s. “We’re dealing. I didn’t get taken like Harper and Jack.”

Mom catches her breath. I glance her way as she lifts her wine glass with trembling fingers.

“That’s almost worse,” Ava says softly. She pushes her plate away a little. “If you’d been taken, even if you were powerless, you would have been there. You would have survived with them.”

There’s this understanding in my sister’s eyes that loosens the bands around my heart. I nod, because she knows.

“The boys who did it are on house arrest right now?” Mom asks with her fingers touching her necklace.

“That’s why I’m staying at Jack’s until they’re behind bars where they belong.” I take a bite of my food, but I don’t taste it. This isn’t my family. My family is at Jack’s. My family is Luke, Jack, Nico, Eli, and Harper. Ava will always be my sister, and I’ll do anything for her, but my parents have become strangers.

It doesn’t matter how many dinners we have like this. It will always feel forced. Never my choice. They come and go when it’s convenient for them to check in on us. They’ll never know who Ava and I really are, because they aren’t part of our world. For some reason, they decided to leave us behind.

“By the way.” I take a bite, savoring it while Dad watches me expectantly. I finish chewing and swallowing before taking a drink, making him wait. “I don’t appreciate finding hidden cameras in my bedroom. If you could resist the urge to spy on me and my friends, that would be great.”

I set my fork down as Dad’s lips tighten.

I give him a cocky smile. “We’re all good-looking, and I’m sure you enjoy watching us fu⁠—”

“Caden!” Mom clutches her necklace as her gaze bounces back and forth between Dad and me.

I stand and smirk at the two of them. “Stay out of my room.”

I turn and walk out the door. Mom calls after me, but I ignore her. I’m so done with this bullshit. Jack and Harper need protecting, and I’m here, doing what? Making my presence known. I need to be there.

“Caden.” My dad’s voice makes me pause with one foot on the step. His tone isn’t angry, but I am. He invaded my privacy.

I turn to face him as he stops before me. We’re the same height, so we’re eye to eye.

“You need to apologize to your mother,” he says like he’s asking me to take out the trash.

“No, I don’t. I found the bug in my bedroom ages ago. If she wasn’t aware of it, that’s not my problem.” I’m so done with all of this.

Dad runs a hand through his hair. “When did you find this bug?”

My eyebrows rise in disbelief. “Haven’t had time to go through the recordings yet? Sorry. It’s been a while since I broke that lamp.”

My dad looks over his shoulder before stepping closer and grabbing my arm. “I didn’t plant a fucking bug in your bedroom.”

“But you did check my computer when Harper’s house got broken into.” I don’t tense, even though he’s holding me. He’s not like Luke’s father.