Page 73 of The Crafting Con

“Ava?” Dad’s smile falls away, and he glances nervously around the room, where twenty con-goers, plus Hiro and Jenni, are watching our exchange with rapt interest. Someone pulls out a phone as if to record us, but Hiro quickly steps in front of them, his usual cheery smile morphing into one that promises all manner of bad things should they proceed.

They tuck the phone away and slink down into their seat.

I mentally thank him before turning my attention back where it belongs: the interloper. Moving around the tables, I force myself to close the distance between us. It’s ridiculous how much my hands are shaking. Don’t I see him every summer? Shouldn’t I be better prepared for this exact thing?

Only he’s so much easier to ignore then, always busy with work or going out with Becky. I can almost pretend we’re part of some kind of sterilized science experiment, and if I follow the carefully planned procedures, it will come to a neat conclusion by the end of July.

Here, in this space, it’s different.

The air is charged with memories.

I open my mouth, but nothing comes out. My chest constricts, and for a brief, terrifying moment, I feel the beginnings of a panic attack creeping in. No, please. Not now. I need to say my piece. I need to⁠—

A hand wraps around my trembling one and squeezes gently.

The panic ebbs.

I glance up at Declan, whose narrowed eyes remain fixed on my father, and breathe. I can do this. My gaze shifts back to Dad, and the dam breaks open.

“It’s not Declan’s attitude that’s the problem. It’s you.” I look at Jenni. “Declan is the most responsible young man you could ever have the pleasure of working with. He’s passionate about his crafting, and works tirelessly to meet his goals. But unlike this man”—I gesture toward my father—“he has character. He knew how uncomfortable seeing my dad here would make me, so he placed himself between us. Even though it cast him in a bad light. But I promise you, he is exactly the person you want working for you. One hundred percent.”

Jenni tilts her head, and I can tell she’s contemplating my words, but I don’t wait for her to respond before turning back to Dad.

“You left us, Dad. You placed three thousand miles between us, and yet you still expect me to be sitting around waiting for you to remember I exist? I don’t think so. I hope for my soon-to-be sibling’s sake that you do better this time around. As for me, I don’t want you here. So go. Now.”

There’s a hush, then a smattering of applause from the voyeurs gathered behind me. Dad frowns, and for what might be the first time in his life, looks truly uncomfortable in his surroundings.

“Ava, come on. Don’t be so dramatic.” He glances around the room, tugs on the brim of his hat and lowers his voice. “Why don’t we go somewhere private and talk about this? I’ve got a VIP room set aside for me, we can work this out there.”

“In case you haven’t noticed, I’m kind of in the middle of something here.” I wave my hands around the room. “Not that something like that would matter to you. You never have cared about putting others’ needs first, have you?”

“Ava, please.” He gives me a pleading look, but I’m already shaking my head.

“If you really want to talk, we can do it this summer. If I decide to come. Until then, we’re done.” I start to turn my back on him, then pause. “That baby is going to need a father who puts their needs first. Try not to mess it up this time.”

Vaguely I hear Declan ushering my dad out of the room, but there’s too much rising chatter to hear what they say to each other. My nerves are too shot to care, either way. I make my way to an empty seat at the end of one of the tables and drop down into it.

Take a deep breath and look around.

The chatter dies down as everyone focuses their attention on me.

I muster a weak smile. “So. Who’s ready to add some paint to these suckers?”

Declan and Hiro move in to provide people with the necessary brushes and answer any questions they have, and I close my eyes, safe in the knowledge that I’m with people I can truly depend on.

CHAPTER 30

DECLAN

Zero days until OA Con

It’s well past one p.m. by the time we get the workshop packed and cleaned up, hauling the crates out to the parking garage and loading them back into my truck. Hiro heads straight for the garage elevators, fingers flying as he shoots off a message to Bailey, asking where they want to meet up for lunch.

Leaving Ava and me alone for what feels like the first time in forever. I wind our hands together, reluctant to be apart again. And yet, “I guess I should be getting you home, huh? I’m sure you still have a lot to do to get ready for prom.”

My chest aches at the thought of her leaving to be with Tyler tonight, but only because I wish it were me instead. I trust her when she says they’re only friends. Still, not gonna lie. It kinda sucks.

She hums, drawing me closer and looping her hands around my neck. “Actually, I was kind of hoping I could take you up on that plan we discussed at the craft store the other day. The one involving bumming around the convention together and stuffing our faces with Pocky? Followed by an anime marathon at your place.” She arches her brow expectantly.