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He walks around the table, giving his wife a kiss on the cheek before doing the same to Sierra and Cassidy. He gives Sierra’s boyfriend a head nod but pays no attention to Rex or Kyle before taking the empty chair at the head of the table.
“I thought you couldn’t make it?” Kyle asks with a slight hiss in his tone.
Michael gives a crooked politician’s smile. “Didn’t think I could, but there was a break in my schedule, so I figured,Why not?”
I’m not sure if he’s noticed my presence.
Rex snorts. “Yeah, why not show up to your daughter’s birthday dinner?”
“Rex,” Michael warns.
I like Rex and his little smart mouth.
“Don’t get mad at me for stating the obvious,” Rex argues.
“Some of us work for a living to provide for a son who wants to take a year to defer from college to jerk around,” Michael bites out with a glare toward Rex.
“Or maybe your son decided he won’t be a puppet and follow in his father’s footsteps. I’m not attending the college or majoring in what you want. Just like Kyle, I don’t want to be Michael Lane’s protégé. You’ve shown me firsthand yourbusiness, and politics are something I never want to be a part of.”
This sure is fun.
Very entertaining.
I’m at the best dinner show, and I didn’t pay for a ticket.
“Everyone, shut up,” Kyle finally snaps. “This is Sierra’s birthday dinner, not a pissing match. If we want to do that shit, we’ll do it later. So, eat your fucking dinner and shut your fucking mouths unless it’s to wish her a happy birthday.”
Well, damn.
“Thank you,” Sierra says.
Kyle glances over at Nancy. “Sorry, Mom.”
I don’t pay attention to Nancy. My eyes stay on Michael. I watch the way his upper lip snarls at Kyle. He clearly likes to be the one in charge. He’s about to most likely lay into him until his eyes flicker my way. I receive a dirtier look than anyone at this table so far.
“I see we have company,” Michael says, jerking his chin toward me.
“Yes, sorry for the lack of introduction while you came in, talking shit,” Kyle says.
I’ve never seen him like this—so condescending and defiant. It’s a major turn-on, given he’s being a total dick to an asshole I don’t like.
Kyle tips his head my way. “Chloe, Mayor Lane.” Then, he tips his head toward his father. “Mayor Lane, Chloe.”
Michael rubs his chin. “Welcome to my home.” He says it with such distaste that more than one person at the table flinches.
“Dad,” Kyle warns, “you’re not even supposed to be here. If you plan to insult people, leave.”
His glare confirms I’m not welcome here.
* * *
“How long haveyou been dating my brother?” Sierra asks when I walk out of the bathroom and into the hallway.
I don’t see Kyle anywhere in sight.
Dinner was awkward, to say the least. Nancy forced conversation, asking what everyone had been up to. Sierra recently graduated from college. So did her boyfriend. Cassidy’s college choice was met with approval from Michael. Rex got skipped, considering he’d already told Michael to get fucked. The same with Kyle. When Nancy came to me, Michael interrupted the conversation and began discussing a charity function.
I nearly fall on my face at her question. “Negative thirty minutes.”
