Chapter 3


    “I think Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell are spinning in their graves,” I observe dryly when they finish.


    “I thought that was a pretty good rendition.” Elliot bows theatrically to Mia and Kate, who areughing


    and apuding with exaggerated gusto. They’re definitely all inebriated. Ana giggles, looking flushed


    and lovely.


    “We’re going home,” I tell her.


    Her face falls. “I told your mother we’d stay.”


    “You did? Just now?”


    “Yes. She brought down a change of clothes for us. I was looking forward to sleeping in your bedroom.”


    “Darling, I was really hoping you’d stay.” It’s a plea from my mother, who stands in the doorway, Carrick


    behind her. “Kate and Elliot are, too. I like having all my chicks under one roof.” She reaches out and


    sps my hand. “And we thought we’d lost you this week.”


    Muttering an expletive beneath my breath, I keep my temper in check. My siblings seem to be


    but not from Mia.


    “Stay, son. Please.” My father’s eyes bore into me, but he appears genial enough. It’s not like he’s just


    told me that I’m aplete and utter disappointment.


    Again.


    I ignore him and respond to my mother. “Okay.” But it’s only because Ana’s giving me such an


    imploring look, and I know that if I leave in my present mood it will be a blight on what has been a


    wonderful day.


    Ana wraps her arms around me. “Thank you,” she whispers. I smile down at her and the dark cloud that


    hangs over me begins to dissipate.


    “Come on, Dad.” Mia thrusts the mic into his hand and drags him in front of the screen. “Last song!”


    she says.


    “Bed.” It’s not a request to Ana. I’ve had enough of my family for one night. She nods in agreement and


    I knit her fingers with mine. “Good night, all. Thanks for the party, Mother.”


    Grace hugs me. “You know we love you. We only want the best for you. I am so happy with your news.


    And so happy that you’re here.”


    “Yeah, Mom. Thanks.” I give her a swift peck on the cheek. “We’re tired. We’re going to bed. Good


    night.”


    “Good night, Ana. Thank you,” she says and gives her a swift hug. I tug Ana’s hand to leave as Mia


    puts on “Wild Thing” for Carrick to sing.


    That I do not want to see.


    Switching on the light, I close my bedroom door and pull Ana into my arms, seeking her warmth and


    trying to put Carrick’s blistering rebuke out of my mind.


    “Hey, are you okay?” she murmurs. “You’re brooding.”


    “I’m just mad at my dad. But that’s nothing new. He still treats me like I’m an adolescent.”


    Ana hugs me tighter. “Your father loves you.”


    “Well, tonight he’s very disappointed in me. Again. But I don’t want to discuss that right now.” I kiss the


    top of her head and she tilts her face up, focusing on me,passion and understanding shining in her


    eyes, and I know neither of us wants to raise the specter of Elena…Mrs. Robinson.


    I’m reminded of earlier this evening, when Grace, in all her avenging glory, threw Elena out of the


    house. I wonder what my mother would have said, back in the day, if she’d caught me with a girl in my


    room. Suddenly I’m energized by the same teenage thrill I had when Ana and I snuck up herest


    weekend during the masquerade ball.


    “I’ve got a girl in my room.” I grin.


    “What are you going to do with her?” Ana’s answering smile is seductive.


    “Hmm. All the things I wanted to do with girls when I was an adolescent.” But couldn’t. Because I


    couldn’t bear to be touched. “Unless you’re too tired.” I trace the soft curve of her cheek with my


    knuckle.


    “Christian. I’m exhausted. But thrilled, too.”


    Oh, baby. I kiss her quickly and take pity on her. “Maybe we should just sleep. It’s been a long day.


    Come. I’ll put you to bed. Turn around.”


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    Sheplies and I reach for the zipper on her dress.


    While my fiancée slumbers beside me, I text Taylor and ask him to bring us a change of clothes from


    Esc in the morning. Scooting down beside Ana, I focus on her profile, marveling that she’s asleep


    already…and that she’s agreed to be mine.


    Will I ever be good enough for her?


    Am I husband material?


    My father seems to doubt it.


    I sigh and lie on my back, staring up at the ceiling.


    I’m going to prove him wrong.


    He’s always been strict with me. More so than with Elliot or Mia.


    Fucker. He knows I’m a bad seed. As I rey his earlier tirade in my head, I drift until sleep ims me.


    Arms up, Christian. Daddy has a serious face. He is teaching diving into the pool. That’s right. Now curl


    your toes around the edge of the pool. Good. Arch your back. That’s right. Now push off. I fall. And fall.


    And fall. Ssh. Into the cool, clear water. Into the blue. Into the calm. Into the quiet. But my water


    wings push me back to the air. And I look for Daddy. Look, Daddy, look. But Elliot jumps on him. And


    they fall on the ground. Daddy tickles Elliot. Elliotughs. Andughs. Andughs. And Daddy kisses


    his tummy. Daddy doesn’t do that to me. I don’t like it. I’m in the water. I want to be up there. With them.


    With Daddy. And I’m standing in the trees. Watching Daddy and Mia. She shrieks with joy as he tickles


    her. And heughs. And she wriggles free and jumps on him. He swings her around and catches her.


    AndI stand in the trees alone. Watching. Wanting. The air smells good. Of apples.


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