“I’m proud of all you’ve accomplished.”
Part of me sags in relief. “I know, Dad.”
“So you know how much you’ve got riding on this final year.” I see the edges of his eyes tighten as he stares at me. “I don’t want to see you get distracted at the finish line, Lo.”
My stomach feels nervous as I think about what it is he’s trying to say without saying. When I don’t speak, he lets out a quick sigh.
“We’ve had the birds and the bees talk already,” he begins, and I open my mouth to cut him off. He holds up a hand to stop me and keeps going. “You can have your fun, but whatever this is that you’ve started, you need to remember that it can’t last.”
“Dad.” I press my lips together in a hard line. What the fuck? Is he really doing this right now?
“You’ve worked your entire life to get to this point. I don’t want you to throw it all away because there’s something shiny and new in town.”
“That’s rich coming from you,” I spit, my spine going rigid.
“You’re right. It’s coming from someone who has worked his ass off to make his fortune and a name for himself and you. When Craven Cove hears our last name, they show their respect. I’ve done all of this for you, and who I fuck is none of your business.” He leans in close and puts his hand on the back of my neck. He’s quieter now, and as angry as I am, I can see the fear in his eyes. It’s a father’s worry, and I hate seeing it. “I won’t let your future be decided by a drifter.”
“She’s not a drifter,” I say, but the words taste bitter. She might be, but that doesn’t mean she’s not important to me.
He squeezes my neck. “Have your fun, then end it.”
I can count on one hand the number of times my dad has talked to me like this. The first time was when I was seven and I asked about my mother. The second was after I’d gotten caught fighting in middle school and got suspended. The third and final time was the day I signed my scholarship papers for college. He’s not one to interfere in what I choose to do, and I know my dad is a good person.
He’s not saying this because he doesn’t like Celeste, but because she could derail all that I’ve worked toward. He loves me, and he wants me to have the best, but right now, he doesn’t understand what Celeste means to me.
Over his shoulder, I see a group of people nearby waiting to speak with him. I know right now isn’t the time to have this conversation, and nothing I’m going to say will change his mind. So even though he’s acting like a dick, I let it go and nod.
“Sure, Dad.”
He reaches up and touches my face before he smiles. “I love you, Lo. I want you to have the best opportunities possible.”
I give him a tight smile before he gets up and walks toward the party. He’s immediately surrounded by the event coordinators and work colleagues, who all need just a minute of his time. As I watch his back disappear, I feel a heavy rock sink inside of me. My dad isn’t a bad guy, and I don’t want to choose between him and Celeste.
“Hey, handsome.”
The words are like the sound of summertime and an ice cream truck in the distance. Immediately my heart swells, and the rock inside of it is forgotten. When I turn around I see Celeste standing there looking beautiful and shy. I can’t get to my feet fast enough as I stand up and pull her into my arms.
“Hey beautiful,” I say, hugging her close and pressing my nose into her hair.
This is exactly what I needed.
“Good to see you again,” Celeste’s mother, Anna, says as she passes us and walks into the house like she’s been here before. Maybe she has.
“Ready to see the party?” I ask as I take Celeste by the hand.
“Umm, I’m thinking I might be underdressed.” Her voice is so soft it’s almost a whisper as she looks around.
Most people are in black-tie, but there are lots of women wearing all types of dresses. I shake my head. “You look amazing.” Reaching up, I tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. “Come on, I want to show you around.”
She bites her bottom lip and then nods as I tug her through the gates to the lawn. The carnival theme is over the top as usual, and my dad has spared no expense. He’s even hired out a circus tent this time, and there are performers in every available spot. There’s a stage in the middle of the big top, and right now there's a Cirque Du Soleil style performance going on.
Celeste laughs after the fire breather comes by and scares her. The sound is infectious, and I find myself smiling too. She’s so happy as we get popcorn and cotton candy, then make our way through to the magician.
After we see all the main attractions, I lead her through the growing crowd and into the house.
“Where are we going?” she asks when we walk through the kitchen and see all the caterers yelling and running around.
“You’ll see.” I squeeze her hand as I take the back staircase up to the third floor.
“This place is huge.” She looks down the long hallway with the plush red carpet and paintings.
“It’s pretty good for hide and seek.” I wink at her and then show her to the door on her left. “In here.”
When I push open the door, there’s a chorus of cheers over the loud music. The senior rowers have all been partying up here in the billiards room since who knows how long. They’ve brought their dates too, and there are several couples making out in the shadows. The room is huge, with two pool tables and a long bar at the back.
“Drink?” I ask, and Celeste shakes her head only a fraction.
“There’s non-alcoholic drinks too,” I reassure her, squeezing her hand.
“Lady and gentleman, what will it be?” Jackson asks, flipping a metal shaker in his hand and mixing cocktails behind the bar.
“I’ll take a water.” I look over at Celeste and nod.
“And a cherry Coke?” She says it like a question, and Jackson nods.
“Looks like Crew won’t be the only square tonight,” Jackson teases as he passes me a bottle of water and pours Celeste her Coke. “What do you think after your first week of Craven Cove High?”
“It’s kind of outrageous.” She looks around the room as if it’s obvious.
“You’ll get used to it.” Jackson raises his shot glass in cheers and then knocks it back. “Enjoy the festivities.”
“You don’t usually drink?” Celeste asks as we walk over to the bookshelves off to the side.
“Nah, I never really liked the taste of it.” I shrug, and she smiles.
“Me too. My mom let me try wine when I was fourteen, and I’m still not over the smell of it.”
We stand there for a long time talking and listening to music as the people in the room keep on drinking and dancing. A few of the guys are playing pool, and there’s another couple on the balcony burning a joint, but I don’t pay them any attention. The only thing I’ve got eyes for tonight is my girl.
“So I’m just going to ask,” Celeste says, as if finding courage and using it for the first time. “Do you just want to be friends? I mean, you haven’t you kissed me since the first time, and I don’t know if I was bad or—”