Page 86 of Play With Me
I scowl, grabbing my glass before remembering I said no to another beer. I want to toss the glass aside. We were having a perfect night, then she had to go ahead and ruin it. Christ.
“Well? What do you think?” I ask Nora. I need her to be on my side here. I’m this close to spitting out the words I’d have no trouble saying if Cap weren’t here.
This is the woman who abandoned my son when he was a baby.
It’s like Nora hears me, because she takes her napkin and lays it on the table, her voice calmer than I’ve ever heard it. “Jude, it’s just like the day trip, except they stop at chalets along the way. They wouldn’t be alone for a moment; they’ve got trained professionals with them and—”
“And you’re being ridiculous!” Farrah says.
I’m so surprised at her outburst, for a moment I don’t speak. She looks down. “I am sorry, Cap. Maybe this was not a good idea—”
But when I look at Cap, I’m shocked to see his eyes glistening. “Why are you being mean, Dad?”
My heart fucking cracks at that. In my head, Coach is looking at me like he’s never been more disappointed.
My son has never known me to be like this.
It’s Farrah.
It’s you!Coach yells.
No, it’s her!
The waiter chooses that moment to appear with a plate the size of a turkey platter, with a massive vertical-looking cake on it.
Cap should be bouncing out of his seat, excited about it. Instead, he’s looking at me with his eyes big and wet and like he doesn’t know me.
“Cap,” Nora says softly, standing up. “Your dad and I are going to have a quick talk, okay? You enjoy that dessert—just maybe don’t overdo it?”
I cross my arms like a petulant kid.
“Get up,” Nora says.
I almost protest, not wanting to leave Cap alone with the woman who has such poor judgment. But Nora looks like she’s going to blow her top, and Cap still looks like he’s going to burst into tears. So, feeling like the world’s biggest asshole for the hundredth time on this trip, I stand up, letting Nora lead me out of the restaurant.
CHAPTER21
Nora
I’m wearing my glasses, but I can barely see straight, I’m so furious.
When we reach the lobby, Jude says, “Nora—”
“No,” I say. I do a quick scan around to see where we can go where I can feel free to lose my shit on him. There’s nothing in this place. The lobby is huge and open and there are people everywhere. Except…there’s a bar on the far side of the space, behind thick glass doors. Inside, there are lights flashing, and I can hear the thud of loud music even from over here.
I walk over there at a clip, looking over my shoulder to make sure Jude’s following. He is, head hung low. When we push inside, the music is deafening. But the place is dark, filled with only a couple of people at this hour, all of them looking more interested in each other than us. I stride to the back of the space, where there’s a wall next to an empty dance floor, disco ball spinning overhead.
It’s a weird place to have a talk, but I don’t think about it. I just spin on him and yell.
“Jude Edmonton Kelly! You are being an absolute piece of shit and it needs to stop!”
Jude looks so taken aback, that for a moment he just stands there sputtering. “You said you’d never use my middle name!” he shouts over the thudding electronic music.
His sister Cass named him after hearing about a place in Canada with the name. He never shared it; not even the media had ever picked it up.
“The situation called for it. Now, listen. Did you see your son in there? Did you see what this never-ending anger toward Farrah is doing to him? He’s trying. She’s trying. Hell, even I’m trying. You’re the only one who isn’t.”
A couple comes out on the dance floor, laughing and twirling. People in love. Great.
