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Alex smirks and tilts his head to the side.“You tell me. I spoke with Samuel the other day.”
I grimace.
“He says you’re not interning with him this summer.”
I feel whatever hope I had left slowly dissipate and my mind goes into overdrive, wondering how I’ll explain the situation to my parents if they do discover my lie. I know whatever I say, Father will be angry and Mother will cry, turning the discussion to her problems and ‘oh, why do I have such an ungrateful son’.
Although, why would Alex come all this way to tell me this? It’s not the worse news in the world. So what if my parents come and discover that I’m slacking off thissummer?It’s nothing they’re unused to.
“Ok,” I nod, ready to be rid of Alex. I cringe when I hear footsteps. I hope it’s not Seth. I pray to all the gods in the world that it’s not Seth. I don’t want to be dealing with him getting all heated and explosive before my parents arrive. “Thanks for the notice. I’ll figure it out.”
“That’s not all.”
I groan.“For fuck’s sake. What else could there be?”
“Your parents were talking about some contest you won.” Alex waves a hand in front of his face, trying to think of the words, but I already know what he’s going to say.
“Yeah, I won a writer’s contest, go on,” I press, wanting him to get to the point.
“Well,yourfather was pretty angry and said if he found out that you lied to him again, and you’re not interning with Samuel,” Alex pauses and I wonder if he wants me to give him a drum roll or if he enjoys being this dramatic.
“Well, spit it out,” I say, grimacing at how loud my voice is. I glance over my shoulder, hearing more footsteps.
“He’s going to cut you off, Lucas.”
I blink.“That’s it?” I ask, stifling the need to roll my eyes. “That’s the big thing you had to tell me.”
“It’s a pretty big deal, Lucas.”
This time I permit myself a much needed eye roll.“Please,” I drawl out. “You must be kidding me. You know how many times that man threatens to cut me off?” I chuckle and grab Alex’s shoulder, edging him towards the door. “They won’t do it. They still need their only son to go to all their stupid little soirees and charity events.” I open the door and motion towards the hallway. “If they were to cut me off, they could say goodbye to all that.”
Alex shakes his head.“No, they’re serious, Lucas.”
I scoff.“They’re always serious. Doesn’t mean they’ll do it.”
“Your father did mention the parties and the charity events. They say with your piss-poor attitude,it’sbetter that you’re not there. It will give you more time to study and focus on better things.”
I frown.“What?”
“They will do it, Lucas. That’s what you need to get into that thick head of yours.” To emphasize his point, Alex knocks his knuckles against my head.
I bat his hands away. I’m still finding this whole situation crazy. Father is actually talking about cutting me off? Essentially disowning me? All because I won a writer’s contest and now he’s worried I’m wasting my time in Paris enjoying the arts and the brief freedom I have left.
What a fucking asshole.
“Alright, so what should I do?” I ask, watching Alex walk into the hallway. Great, now he wants to leave when I want him to stay and provide me with some advice.
“I don’t know, man,” calls Alex while walking briskly down the hall. “That’s up to you. I just wanted to let you know. Can’t see another one of my friends go down.”
I grimace, remembering our friend Tom, who went against his parents and got disowned. I don’t know what happened to him after that. I haven’t thought of him until now and the idea of disappearing off everyone’s radar makes a shiver ripple down my spine.
I close the door and walk back into the kitchen, finding Seth downing a cup of espresso.“Was someone here?” He asks while pushing the button for more.
I shake my head, not wanting to explain. This is my battle to fight; my problem to fix. I don’t want to involve Rachel and the bros in my family troubles. Nor do I want to admit that I had a potential rival over for espresso.
Well, it’s not like I invited him, but I doubt Seth would see it that way.
I release a frustrated sigh while dumping my body into the sofa, wondering what I should do. I take out my cell, flipping through the contacts. Father probably called to inform me of their trip; maybe he wanted to set up a time to meet with Samuel at the office. That definitely seems like him.
