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I can hear the sorrow in her voice as she replays the night over again in her head.
“Why did he threaten Max and Finn?”
“He said they needed to hear it. They were seniors in high school, taller than most father figures, and he wanted to scare them straight, to make sure they knew he expected them to respect their dates the same way he expected boys to respect you girls. It was sweet, actually … funny but sweet.”
I try to picture my dad having his you-will-treat-my-daughter-with-respect conversation with Finn.
“When you walked in today and Finn said you two were together, my heart leapt. Your father would have been so happy.” Sitting straight up, I stare at my mother in shock. “I mean, not about the way he announced it. That was a bit over the top.”
“What do you mean?”
“Your dad always thought you two would end up together. I think that’s part of why the boys got that conversation that night. He wanted to make sure Finn heard the speech at least once. Not that he needed to hear it. That boy has always been good to you.”
My head is spinning, but before I can ask her anything else, Evie walks out of my bathroom. She spins around so we can get the full effect as the doorbell chimes. Evie’s eyes go wide as she starts bouncing up and down.
“Calm down. It’s just Joe. Unless there’s something you need to tell us before you leave?” I ask, raising my eyebrow at her.
She brushes me off, rolling her eyes dramatically. “Can’t a girl just be excited for her last dance of high school?”
“She can, and it appears she is. So, let me be the first to tell you how gorgeous you look,” I say, walking over and pulling her into my arms.
Mom wraps her arms around both of us, squeezing tight.
“My beautiful girls,” Mom starts, her voice shaking, a clear sign she’s already crying. By the time we finally pull apart, there are tears streaming down my face as well.
“We need to get down there before Max scares him off,” Evie states, her voice shaking a little at the thought.
“Don’t worry. It’s under control,” I promise her. When she looks at me skeptically, I laugh. “Why do you think Finn is here? If there’s anyone that can get Max to shut up and back down, it’s him.”
Mom laughs as she walks out of the room ahead of us. I’m about to follow her when Evie places her hand on my arm.
“About Finn …” Her voice trails off, and I know what she’s asking even though the words don’t pass her lips.
“It’s not what you think—”
“What do I think?”
“That we’re sleeping together like he yelled loud enough the neighbors probably think we’re shagging, too.”
“Shagging?”
“Sorry. We watchedAustin Powerslast night.”
“You and Finn?”
Well, shit.
“Kendall was there, too,” I lie.
“Right, and you’re not sleeping together,” she huffs with a laugh.
“Evie, this isn’t the time or place to have this discussion unless you want your date to leave without you.”
Her eyes practically bulge out of her head. “This conversation isn’t over,” she whispers as she walks past me.
Of course it’s not. Because my family is nothing if not invested in my personal life. And I can’t seem to keep a secret to save my life. Not that Finn’s announcement helped our case.
