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It’s a regular moraldilemma…
Which is why I feel guilty when I pull back and hit TerryCrawford.
Hard.
24
Rena
I’m nearingthe end of a prep for the ASMR client Sunday morning when my phonebuzzes.
Beck:You’re coming for dinner tonightright?
Rena:???
Beck:Don’t miss this. You’ll thankme.
This week wasall over the place. I’ve been working my butt off for this client, putting together an idea and presentation. And I’m getting ready for a little engagement party this coming weekend in Philly forHaley.
At the door, Beck greets me with a mischievous expression. “I think you’re going to likethis.”
I walk into the dining room. When my father enters, my jawdrops.
He’s sporting a blackeye.
“Dad. Whathappened?”
“Nothing.”
Beck drops his napkin on his lap with ceremony before clasping his hands. “I heard he got the crap beat out of him by Wes down at the club onFriday.”
“Beckett!” heroars.
“Sorry.Dr. R.” He flashesteeth.
I look between them because I really have no idea what’shappening.
The rest of dinner, I can’t help staring at the purple mark on the face I know as well as myown.
It doesn’t add up. I know Wes admires myfather.
After dinner, I go to my dad’s study. He’s going throughfiles.
“Did Wes really dothat?”
He pulls back to look at me. “Your brother seems to be very enamored with him. I’m not sure it’s healthy. The two of you seem to be filling his head withideas.”
I feel my spine straighten. “What ideas arethose?”
“That he can be whatever hewants.”
I feel the simmering resentment of twenty-four years rising up. “I know you and Mom got together because she was pregnant. But don’t put that on me and Beck. It’s not our BS to dealwith.”
He slams the drawer. “I gave you everything. You lived under my roof, used myresources.”
“That’s how children work,” I breathe, but hecontinues.
“You’ve always lived in your own world, passing judgment on everyone else and never dealing withreality.”
