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"I'll call and see if he's free." I scroll through my phone.
"What are these?" My father dangles the key fob in his hand.
"Just keys," I offer. He'll flip if I tell him that the keys are for Hunter's place.
He studies them as if they hold a clue to another wonder of the world. "Do you have your own place? These look like apartment keys."
"Just extra keys a friend gave me." I stand and scoop them out of his hand. "I've been thinking about getting a place though."
'You don't want to live in the dorms?" His eyes trailed the keys and they're focused on my hand now.
"I'd like more privacy." I sit on the edge of the bed. "Maybe I can get a small apartment close to campus."
"Have you talked to your mother about this?" He raises his gaze to my face. "You know how she feels about you living alone."
"I'm alone most of the summer when I'm here."
"The staff is always here," he says. He has no clue that when I'm here by myself I send them all away.
"I'm old enough to live alone. Alexa does." I sound like a petulant child. I don't care. I want my life to finally be my own life. Now that I know about Coral I don't feel as though I'm living my life for someone else. I want to live it for me.
"That girl is not a good example of anything, Sadie." He shakes his head and rolls his eyes.
"She's my best friend," I say curtly. "I'm going to start looking for a place next week."
"Let me know how much you need." He throws the words in my direction as he walks out of the room.
"I'm doing this myself," I call after him. "I don't need your help."
Chapter 15
"He's late." My father glances down at his wristwatch for what feels like the thirtieth time since we sat down at our table.
"He'll be here soon," I whisper while tapping out another text message to Hunter on my phone.
Please get here soon. My dad is flipping out.
"Who picked this place?" He brings the glass of scotch to his lips. "It's a bit too trendy for my taste."
My mother ignores our conversation, her gaze planted on a table where three men in their thirties are toasting with a rich burgundy.
"I picked it," I answer. It's a new place and I wanted to experience it with Hunter. Seeing how he rarely wants to eat out, dragging him here with my parents seemed like the ultimate trick to get him through the door.
"What's it called again?" My father throws his gaze around the room as if a neon sign is going to be flashing the name in his direction.
"Meteor." I sigh. It's now almost an hour past the time Hunter was supposed to meet us. I glare at the entrance willing him to walk through it.
I'm startled when my phone chimes signalling a new text.
I'm stuck in a meeting, sunshine. I can't leave. Give my regrets to your folks. H.
I feel my blood pressure rising as I read the words over and over again. He's not coming. He promised me earlier on the phone he'd be here. He even said in a text ninety minutes ago that he was on his way. The moment I texted him the name of the restaurant he fell silent. He had to have known his meeting might run late. Why didn't he tell me there was a chance he couldn't come?
"He's not coming, is he?" My father is already on his feet, his wallet in his hand.
I shake my head silently from side-to-side. Humiliation is pulling my voice within.
"We're leaving. We'll eat at that steakhouse by the courthouse. Let's go." He throws a few bills on the table as he barks at my mother.
