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The front door swings open and Ford saunters in.
“Hey, son,” Crawford greets, a smile lighting up his face.
For just a moment, I wonder what it would be like to have a parent who actually enjoyed being around me. As soon as that thought slithers into my brain, I shove it away. My mother is who she is and no amount of wishing otherwise will change that fact. It’s taken time for me to come to terms with that hard truth and lower my expectations.
“Dad.”
When I reluctantly draw away from Crawford, he slips an arm around my waist. “You guys ready to eat? Sarah made beef wellington along with steamed green beans.”
Ford’s eyes light up as he pats his toned belly. “My favorite.”
Crawford flashes him an easy smile. “She made it especially with you in mind.”
The three of us head down the long stretch of hallway to the formally appointed dining room. The glossy walnut table is large enough to seat up to twenty guests comfortably.
And it has.
Crawford holds fundraisers and dinner parties a couple times a month. At first, I enjoyed dressing up in fancy gowns and having my hair styled and makeup professionally applied by a glam squad. But after a while, it got old. You end up having the same conversations on repeat while you smile, fielding questions regarding Crawford and his political agenda.
Now that Ford and I are in college, we’re not around for as many of them. Although, every once in a while, Crawford will ask me to accompany him to an event. After everything he’s done for me, there’s no way I would turn him down. Within months of him and Mom getting married, he set up a college account in my name and said that no matter what happened, it would be mine to use for higher education.
I owe this man everything.
Sarah greets us before serving the piping hot plates. The rich aroma is intoxicating. She was a head chef in a Michelin star restaurant before Crawford coaxed her into working exclusively for him. I nibble at my steak as the two men discuss the upcoming election.
“And what about you, Carina? How’s your solo coming along for the Winter Showcase?”
“There are still a few things that need to be cleaned up, but it should be perfected by mid-December.”
He flashes a smile. “That’s my girl. I’m excited to finally see it.”
After another ten minutes, I set my utensils down on my plate. “Would you mind if I use the studio for a bit?”
“Of course not. That’s the reason I built it.” His thick brows tug together as he glances at my plate. “You barely touched your dinner. Wasn’t it to your liking?”
“It was delicious. Guess I’m just not that hungry.”
“Would you like Sarah to package up some leftovers to take home?”
“That would be great. Thank you.”
With that, I rise from the high back chair and shimmy around the table before brushing a quick kiss across Crawford’s cheek.
As I do, I scowl at Ford.
That’s all it takes for a wide grin to break out across his face.
Jerk.
Then I hightail it from the room and down the staircase to the walk-out basement. Once I arrive at the studio, I slip into the small changing room where I keep extra shorts and athletic tops.
As music fills the space, I take my position in the middle of the room and block out everything that attempts to push in at the edges.
And that includes my ex-stepbrother.
Chapter Six
Ford
