Page 74 of An Unexpected Turn
“I said out with friends or Keith. He didn’t press, but I get the feeling he may put the pieces together tonight. Mike is quiet, but he takes in a lot.”
“You mean I wasn’t convincing?” Peyton pressed her hand to her chest with an exaggerated gasp. “Do you know how long it took to pick an outfit that looks like I intended to go home but was presentable enough to stay out? I’m sorry I let you down, Mr. Russo.”
I laughed and reached under the table to squeeze her legging-covered knee.
“You’re beautiful, as usual. Although I prefer you in one of my shirts. Nothing underneath, all that easy access.” My brows jumped when she met my gaze.
“Don’t do that.” She glared at me, a blush filling her cheeks and spreading down her neck as she reached under the table to push my hand off her leg. “I’m trying to stay in character. Stop distracting me.”
“Did you order yet?”
We both jerked back at my son’s voice. He sat down next to Peyton and reached for his water glass, not seeming as if he’d caught us getting closer than he would have expected.
“Yes. I got your fried mushrooms, no worries.”
“Good. I’m starving.”
Peyton and I snuck a glance at each other as he drained the rest of his water.
“Me too. I’ve spent my afternoon working on the holiday festival, and I could use a burger and a mountain of fries myself.”
“Holiday festival?” I asked, cutting a look at my son.
“It used to be a dance, but the school thinks calling it a festival will get more students to go,” Peyton answered instead. “The gym will be all decked out like a winter wonderland, and there’ll be music and games. It sounds fun, I’ve just been in the weeds of the food budget all day.”
“Mrs. Lopez wants us to build something for it. Like a holiday train or something.”
“Does she? That would be so cool. I know other clubs are donating stuff. So, this means you’ll go, right?” She nudged his side. “All my research on finger foods won’t go to waste if students come to eat it.”
A shy smile pulled at his mouth. “My friends and I were thinking about it. It sounds a little cringey.”
Peyton bit back a smile.
“It may be a little, but you could still have fun if you keep an open mind. It’s on the last day before the break if you’re staying in town for the holidays.”
“I am. My mom wants me to visit her, and I said no.”
“You can if you want,” I said when I spied Mike’s vacant stare. “It’s been a while since you’ve seen her.”
He shrugged. “It’s not that I don’t want to see her. I don’t belong with her and my stepdad. I’m in the way. And all she does is complain about you, even though she dumped me here. I just don’t feel like dealing with it.”
“I absolutely can understand that. Have you tried telling her how you feel?” Peyton asked, her brows knit in concern as she turned toward Mike.
He nodded. “She always says that it’s not true, that her husband is just set in his ways because he never had kids around, then says Dad puts things in my head. She keeps texting me to think about it. If I don’t go, she’ll be mad. I guess I have no choice ...”
He fell back in the seat after he trailed off.
“You do,” Peyton said, inching her chair closer. “Your dad isn’t going anywhere, and yes, she’s your mother, but you have every right to keep yourself out of a situation that makes you uncomfortable. It’s hard, but you should never feel bad about that.”
“I know you have to say things like that because you’re a guidance counselor.” Mike sighed and pulled apart the napkin in his hand, his frustration evident in each tiny piece.
“No, I don’t.” She tilted her head and leaned in. “I’m saying this as a friend who believes that you shouldn’t ruin your holiday because you think you have no choice. You’re old enough to know and do what you think is right, and for the adults in your life to respect that a no is a no and doesn’t need further explanation.”
“It’s just ... I don’t want to hurt her.”
My guilt over leaving Eileen prevented me from firing back at her like I should have so many times. I couldn’t go back in time, but I could sure as hell protect my son now.
“I’ll deal with your mother. You don’t have to worry about hurting her or being caught in the middle anymore.”
