Total pages in book: 160
Estimated words: 163089 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 815(@200wpm)___ 652(@250wpm)___ 544(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 163089 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 815(@200wpm)___ 652(@250wpm)___ 544(@300wpm)
The rain stops.
No, it doesn’t.
The reason it’s no longer soaking me is because someone is standing beside me, holding an umbrella over my head. At first, I think it’s Hayes, but Dad’s voice rings around me.
“You should get inside.”
I swallow thickly, the pain in my chest doubling and tripling, but I force a smile.
He looks so put together in his beige three-piece suit, his hair combed neatly, his face serene. Oh, how I wish I’d inherited his coldness. Life would’ve been so much easier.
“Finally decided to punish me?”
“Do you do these stunts so I’ll punish you?” He side-eyes me. “I thought it was to get my attention.”
I purse my lips, and he releases a long breath. “Well, you have it, Preston. What do you want?”
“A new doctor.”
“A new doctor?”
A droplet of rain falls from my hair to my cheek, sliding down to my mouth. “Yeah, the old one is a useless, judgmental crook. I thought you’d do better background checks before hiring my therapist.”
“Dr. Fenwick is not a crook.” He faces me, tilting the umbrella in my direction, and the rain soaks the shoulder of his jacket.
“Not him. I’m talking about her.”
“Who’s her?”
“I only have one her, Dad. The fuck?”
“No, there are a few female doctors who work with Dr. Fenwick. Did any of them make you feel judged?”
“Yup. Need her fired or, like, threatened a bit.” I grin. “Vencor style.”
“I’m going to need a name.”
“Dr. Duret.”
My dad freezes, his body going so impossibly still, it creeps me the fuck out. When he speaks, it’s firm but a touch unsteady. “When was the last time you…uh, met her?”
“Earlier tonight.”
“And you first met her…where, exactly?”
“At Dr. Fenwick’s office, then at her place, remember?”
“Her place?”
“Yeah, the one outside of town. You even send Lenin to pick me up sometimes. You growing senile so soon or something?”
“Lenin,” he repeats emotionlessly.
“Yeah, Lenin,” I snarl. “Where has he been lately, anyway? Is it true that you’re no longer punishing me because you’re planning to drop me?”
“Lenin said that?”
I bite the corner of my lip and shrug. Well, maybe this will get Lenin in trouble—not that I should care.
“Listen, Preston.” He grabs my shoulder, fingers digging in. “I’d never drop you.”
“Even if I burn your car?”
“Even if you burn a garage full of them.”
“That’s a lot of work—not worth it.”
Dad’s lips twitch in a smile and I just stare. It feels like…forever since I’ve seen him smile.
Wow. The Lawrence Armstrong can smile? Someone call the robot manufacturer so he can test him for malfunctions.
“Preston?”
“Yeah?”
“Tomorrow morning, let’s go to see Dr. Fenwick together.”
“Can’t, and I also don’t like that old man much.” Maybe I should have Dad threaten Dr. Duret to return. Pretty sure she has some family somewhere in Europe. Dad can locate them and use them against her as leverage.
“Why can’t you?” he asks.
“I’m going on a picnic. More like I’m inviting myself to one with Kane’s and Jude’s girls. They’re so not from our world, and I’d like to get rid of Destiny if possible, but her sister or foster sister or whatever wouldn’t appreciate it, and I like her. Not Destiny, but her sister, Vi. I think she’s making Jude a better man, but he’s too blind to see it. She also looks so familiar; if you meet her, you’ll probably feel the same.” I bite the corner of my lip because I’ve been kind of blabbering. “Yeah, so I’m busy.”
“When will you be done? We’ll go then.”
“Do I have to?”
“Yes.”
“Way to give your child choices, Dad. Amazing work—”
“Preston.” He squeezes my shoulder. “I want you to know…I never wanted to do this, but in hindsight, it was inevitable.”
“Do…what?”
“I’m sorry.” He tightens his grip on my shoulder one final time, then puts the umbrella in my hand and walks into the rain.
Only a few paces, though, as Hayes runs out with another umbrella.
And I’m shaking.
Dad has only ever told me “I’m sorry” once before—when he held me the day I found out Mom died.
I never wanted to do this.
A tear slides down my cheek because I know, I just know what will happen tomorrow with Dr. Fenwick.
The one thing that doctors always recommend. The one thing Dad has always been vehemently against, but now, he’s stopped caring enough to refuse anymore.
Because Dad’s abandoned me, too.
Like Mom. Like Dr. Duret.
Like Marcus.
He’s finally agreeing to have me committed.
32
PRESTON
Kane
Is it true you burned your dad’s car last night, Pres?
Me
Maybe.
Jude
What’s going on?
Daddy issues acting up again. And, wow, you’re actually alive, big man? I thought you were busy moping after we lost our last game because of you.
Jude
You’re not changing the subject. You’ve been off lately.
You’ve also been off, but you don’t see me bitching about it.
Kane
Do you need a venting outlet, Pres? I can arrange something.
Nah. Don’t want to dirty my manicured hands.
Jude
You’re refusing a hunt? Seriously, what the hell is going on?