Page 95 of Their Cruel Play
I walk out of my bedroom and down to the kitchen. The cook glances up but doesn’t say anything as he goes back to finishing preparations.
When I enter the dining room, my parents cut off mid-sentence and turn to watch me walk in.
“Good morning.” I sink into my chair and fill my cup with coffee. Grabbing a pastry, I lift the lid off my eggs and sausage and set it aside.
“Caden.” My father leans his elbows on the table and temples his fingers in front of his lips. “How’s school?”
“Good as always. Football is good. Friends are good. Everything here is good.” I stab a fork into a sausage link and bite off the end. “Check-in complete?”
My mom glances at my father like she wants him to say more. When he doesn’t, she clears her throat.
“We’ve heard there might be a girl you’re seeing.” Mom doesn’t ask it like a question. I’m sure the staff have reported Harper’s comings and goings to my parents and that she’s been here overnight on multiple occasions.
Along with my friends.
I take another bite of sausage and wait for whatever they want to say. They can just get whatever it is off their chests and leave like they always do.
“You’re young—” Mom cuts herself off and looks at my dad. He doesn’t jump in but continues to look at me. “The parties have always been handled well. But we’re concerned you might be involved in something—” Her lips press together in distaste.
“Are you fucking more than the girl?” My dad leans back in his chair. His green eyes search mine for any signs of weakness.
“You want to know if I’m fucking my friends?” I raise an eyebrow, but don’t let any emotion bleed through. What a fucking joke. “And if I am?”
Mom makes a noise like a littleeep. Totally not ladylike. Dad shakes his head.
“Figure this shit out, Caden.” Dad stands. “If you want to be gay, fine, but own it. Don’t make us fucking ask the staff.”
I chuckle low and bite into my pastry. “Are you going to throw me a coming out party?”
“If you’re gay, we’ll support you.” Mom hurries to say. They don’t know me at all.
“My girlfriend might have something to say about me getting dick behind her back.” I sip my coffee and look over the rim at them.
Mom looks so fucking relieved. Dad’s eyes narrow on me.
“Girlfriend?” Dad resumes his seat. “Since when?”
“Beginning of the school year.” I dig into my eggs, figuring why waste a perfectly good meal.
“Why is this the first we’re hearing of it?” The indignation in my father’s voice almost makes me laugh.
“Am I supposed to send you progress reports? What would that include? Positions? Frequency? How many times I get her to come?”
With wide eyes and a flush of color in her cheeks, Mom glances at Dad, but he’s composed.
“If this interferes with your studies?—”
“You’ll what?” I shove my plate back from me and stand. “Cut me off? Send me away to boarding school like Ava? How is your daughter? Have you texted her lately to see how she’s adjusting or is that only me who makes sure she’s okay?”
“Sit down, Caden.” My dad’s tone is full of authority.
I shake my head. “Why don’t you do what you do best and leave me alone? I’m good. My life is good, and I’m taken care of. I make sure to eat, sleep, and fuck as much as I need. You’ve raised me well.”
Mom makes that noise at my language. Yeah, I’m not correcting it, and I’m definitely not apologizing for it.
I turn and walk away. They can’t decide when it’s convenient for them to parent me. I’m doing fine on my own.
I stalk back to my room and everyone is up and dressed, waiting on the couch with the TV on low. When I hold out my hand, Harper rises and moves in against me. The rage swirling inside settles at her touch.
