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“Hayes!” his father scolds.
“No, you can sit here and play happy family, but I’ll be damned if I do it. Does anybody but me see how fucked up this is?” Before anybody can call him on it, his eyes find Lucy, and it’s like he realizes his mistake. “Sorry,” he mutters.
“That’s unacceptable. Apologize,” his father demands.
“I just did.”
“You know what I mean.”
Hayes slides a side-eye look at Mom. “Sorry.”
“I understand. It was probably wrong of me to push for that so soon. It’s only that I’m so excited to have a son. A family. It’s been a long time and a long road for us.” I swear, if anybody didn’t know better, they would think my mother was some kind of saint. She’s practically glowing, sitting at the head of the kitchen table rather than the long one in the formal dining room. It’s a little big in there for just the five of us. Even this table is set with candles and a floral centerpiece and what has to be a silk tablecloth. It’s so nice I almost don’t want to touch it.
And Mom is in her element. This is exactly the sort of life she’s always wanted— o live in luxury without having to lift a finger to earn it. I’m so embarrassed that I could throw up. Why does she have to lay it on so thick? No wonder Hayes flipped out.
Mr. Ambrose clears his throat. “I hope you girls get settled in well and have everything you need. Next week, your mother and I will be taking a trip, just the two of us.”
My stomach sinks as I lift my eyes, only to find Hayes looking my way. “How long will you be gone?” he asks, though he’s staring at me.
“A full week.”
A full week? I can’t help but sputter a little as I turn toward Mom. “Where are you going?”
“Since when are you so curious?” she asks with a tight little laugh. I know that laugh. It means I should shut up and stop asking questions.
“I was just wondering. I mean, with only Bridget here...”
“It isn’t as if your father and I won’t be busy doing our own things most of the time, anyway. He’ll be at work much of the time, and I’ll have my own activities.”
Activities. I have to bite my tongue and look down at my plate before my face gives me away. She means shopping, going to the spa, probably forcing her way into brunches nobody wants her to attend. I have no doubt she’ll do everything she can to ingratiate herself in her fiancé’s world, which she’ll see as her world now. And I thought she was hard to deal with before this.
“I’m sure you’ll manage just fine without us. Hayes will be busy with his swim practice, and I’m sure Morgan will have plenty of things to do with her new friends.” Hayes barely stifles a snort at his father’s suggestion, but I hear it. And I know what he’s thinking. I don’t have friends. Not yet. Not ever, if he has his way.
“I’m finished.” Hayes pushes back from the table abruptly, tossing his napkin to the chair before shoving it back in place. “I’m going up to my room to do homework.” The pressure in my chest loosens. If he’s not here, he can’t glare at me like I ruined his life or something. I might actually be able to eat a little bit.
Of course, Mom has to ruin it. She stands suddenly, blocking Hayes from leaving the room. “I’m sorry if I said something to upset you.”
“Don’t worry about it.” He looks down at the floor, shoulders hunched up around his ears.
“It’s just that your father and I want everyone to be happy. I’m sure I came on a little too strongly. Can you forgive me?”
“Yeah. Sure.” Obviously, he’s only doing it because his father is staring at the two of them, but at least he’s trying. This can’t be any easier on him than it is on me. Only Lucy is genuinely thrilled.
“Friends?” Mom opens her arms, offering a tiny smile.
“Go ahead, son,” his father encourages. Meanwhile, I could just about die from embarrassment. Does she ever know when to stop? I’m sure Mr. Ambrose already thinks she walks on water. She doesn’t need to keep playing this role.
Hayes opens his arms, and all I can think about is how he doesn’t like to be touched. This must be killing him inside. Mom puts her arms around him, and he barely touches her shoulders before pulling away.
“He’ll come around,” Mr. Ambrose assures Mom as she sits back down.
Hayes leaves the room without another word.
“Excuse me. I’ll be right back.” I hop out of my chair and hurry out of the room, hoping to catch him before he gets upstairs. He’s almost at the foot of them when I reach out to touch his shoulder just enough to get his attention without my voice carrying to the kitchen.
