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Colt
Hours.
We spent hours talking. Scarlet was wrapped in my arms the entire time. I was more open and honest with her than I have been with anyone else in my life. From the very humble upbringing I had to how falling in love with music changed my life.
She told me more about her parents, her life before coming to Lake State, and her parents’ disapproval of her choices.
Where it feels like my parents sometimes don’t care enough, hers care too much. About everything. They want to control every aspect of her life, her future, her relationships. Whereas mine are happy if I call to say hello. And when I don’t—I rarely do these days—they don’t seem to notice.
When she finally decided to send her parents a message to let them know she wasn’t going to make it home, I watched as her hands shook. Not in fear, but in knowing that she is once again disappointing them.
Their reply had my mouth dropping open and anger coursing through my veins.
FATHER: This is unacceptable, Scarlet Renee. We are hosting our annual holiday party this evening and your presence was expected. You knew this. What do you expect us to tell the guests when they ask where you are this year? Twisting your ankle is the best excuse you could come up with? We will talk about this when you get home. Be here tomorrow. I don’t care how you get here, but you need to be here.
“What’s the big deal about a holiday party?” I ask once I’ve tamped down the aggression that started to build toward her father.
“It’s not just a party; It’s an entire show. My parents host every year. It’s this huge thing. My mother plans it for months. Everyone who is anyone in the city is invited. The house is decorated top to bottom. There’s a Christmas tree in every room. And this won’t be the first year I’ve missed the event.”
“I still don’t get how your absence is an issue if there are that many people there. It’s not like you’ll be socializing with your parents all night.”
“It’s all about appearances with them. If I’m not there, people will speculate like last time.”
“What happened?”
“I missed my flight home from vacation last year. The one when they ditched me. Well, I may have overslept, on purpose, to make them wait. Only, they didn’t wait. They hopped on their private jet and took off without me. I had to wait at the airport, on standby, for two days until I finally got a seat on a flight home. And once I did, they didn’t talk to me for the rest of the week I was there. People were saying horrible things about me, and my parents were mad.”
“Who cares what other people say?”
“My parents do. They care more about their public status than almost anything else. They don’t even love each other anymore. The only reason they’re still married is because of their image. My mother’s been seeing her trainer for years, and my father goes through receptionists faster than I go through underwear.”
Her disapproval of her parents’ choices is clear in her tone. Though, I can’t blame her. If you’re not happy together, why stay married? Why put on a show all the time?
“And they’re not worried about how those secrets will make them look if they get out?”
“Confidentiality agreements. They make everyone sign them. Every person who works for my father has to sign one. Everyone who works at our house—the housekeepers and the chef, the trainers and masseuse. My parents’ secrets are locked up tight. I wouldn’t have been surprised if they’d ask you to sign one.”
Hell no.
And if her parents think they can try to buy me, they would be wrong. I may not come from much, but I was taught about integrity and working hard for what I want.
I can feel the uncomfortable energy radiating off Scarlet, so I attempt to change the conversation. We’re far past twenty questions each, and it’s getting close to dinner time. Neither of us have eaten yet, so I offer to order us a pizza.
Ignoring the multiple texts I’ve missed from Kane, I place our order and head into the kitchen to gather plates and napkins for when it arrives. A new text from Kane pops up just as I’m about to put my phone back in my pocket.
KANE: Since you’re still ignoring me, I’m assuming you’re either dead or you’re still with Scarlet. I brought the bandage for her ankle over earlier on my way out of town. Left it on the back porch. Her car was still in the parking lot, so at least someone is there. I was going to knock but was afraid to interrupt in case she was still dismembering your body. I didn’t want to become an accessory or a witness. I’ll see you next week. If you managed to live, try not to scare her off too quick.
Reading over his previous messages, I get the full picture of his morning and afternoon.
KANE: You didn’t come home last night. How’s Scarlet’s ankle?
KANE: Are you avoiding the question or ignoring me?
KANE: I’m going to assume you’re too busy to answer me.
KANE: I got worried something happened, so I tracked your phone. It says you’re at the Zeta house. Unless she killed you and buried you in the yard, I’m going to guess you’re fine.
And people think I can be dramatic.
