Page 23

It’s a trick question, that I already know the answer to. “Sorry, Son. Not this one.”

Right.This one.He hasn’t watched a single game since I got to Wittmore.

“Too bad,” I say, proud of the team. “It was a good one.”

“Maybe the next one won’t be on during bible study.”

Unlikely. The man never leaves the church. One activity after the other, anything to keep the parishioners busy. Reverend Nolen Rakestraw may not be there for his son, but he’s always there for his flock.

“I called to talk about preparations for the holidays,” he says, moving on to the real motive for the call. “Have you practiced the piece I sent you?”

“A little.”

Not at all.

“I wanted to give you plenty of time before Christmas to learn the material and if you need any assistance over Thanksgiving, Reverend Boyce will be happy to help.”

“I’m only going to be there for two days, Dad, one of those Thanksgiving Day. Reverend Boyce doesn’t want to spend his day with me instead of his family.”

“I’m sure you two can make something work.” When I don’t instantly agree, he adds, “The congregation is expecting you to speak. It’s tradition.”

“I know. I’ll get it done. I always do, don’t I?”

“Not without testing my patience first,” he says. “How are your public speaking classes?”

“Good,” I lie. “You know, talk-y.”

My father thinks I’m majoring in communications with a focus on public speaking, but I switched to sports management after Freshman year. Idohave a minor in communications, which keeps me in enough classes for him not to fully notice.

“I hope you’re gaining a good knowledge base for when you return to Kingdom’s Reign.” His tone lightens. “Only seven more months and you’ll be back.”

“Yep, seven months.”

Fuck my life.

“I just wanted to check in. Make sure we were on the same page.”

That’d be a first. “Sure, Dad.”

“Next time, try to respond faster. Your mother and sister worry when you don’t.”

“I will,” I reply, pissed he dragged Shelby and my mom into this. They aren’t worried about me. He’s just obsessed with controlling all of us.

“Night, Son.” I brace myself for the next part. “To the Kingdom.”

I swallow and force out the words, “To the Kingdom.”

I don’t breathe for a full thirty-seconds after the call ends, until another text comes through.

Shelby: Thanks

Me: Sorry I missed it. Be Safe.

I stare at the text for a long time, hating that he still has this control over me, two-thousand miles away. But that’s how my father works, with leverage. If I won’t do what he wants out of an obligation to him, he knows I’ll do it to protect my sister.

The call leaves me rattled–pissed and frustrated–and I want nothing more than to blur the lines of reality right now to try to go back to that feeling from before, of hopped up adrenaline. I want to chill out, to have a drink. Take a hit. Lose myself in pussy.

I thrust my hand in my hair. Fuck the promise I made with Nadia. Fuck Cain and his easy road to the future and his perfect girlfriend he’s going down on across the hall.