Page 35 of Attractive Forces

He pinches his lips together, which makes me wonder how on board with this concept he actually is. It sounds more like a Mum decree than something Dad would come up with.

“Um…thanks?” I offer.

“But I suggest you re-read the story of Lot in Genesis. It’s a good reminder about how one bad decision can lead to a downward spiral.”

Reading the Bible. Just what I need right now.

“Okay, Dad,” I say.

He stands. “You’ve always made us proud, Logan. And I’m not just being a biased father when I say you’ve got an amazing future ahead of you. I would hate to see you waste your potential because you made one bad decision.”

“I promise you I won’t make bad decisions.”

He puts a fleeting hand on my shoulder. “It’s not about making promises to me. It’s about making promises to yourself and keeping them.”

I sit there after he leaves, staring blankly at the wall. My phone beeps with a message from Jake. It’s another ironic fact—the most shoplifted book in America is the Bible.

Rereading our message chain, there’s a brief, insane second when I want to share this particular ironic moment with him.

The time when the pastor gives his gay son a lecture about not getting his ball date pregnant.

* * *

We winour rugby game the afternoon before the ball. It’s only against Hilton High School, but it still leaves everyone buzzing. I scored a try and kicked three conversions and two penalties.

“We’re going to win the championship again,” Mazza crows.

“Everyone’s buzzed about winning. That’s got to be good for us tonight, right?” Brewer says, slapping my back and giving a broad wink.

Yeah, that was precisely what was on my mind when I kicked the winning points. Making sure my teammates all got laid.

Jennifer’s arranged for a whole group of us to meet at her house before the ball. All the parents will be there too so they can mingle and take photos.

You can see all my friend’s parents straightening up when my parents and I walk in. It’s the typical reaction when my dad arrives somewhere. Everyone is suddenly on their best behavior.

For a second, my mind drifts to Jake. How he said everyone’s reaction to him changed after his dad was arrested.

I’ve never thought about it too deeply, but I’m definitely treated differently in this town because of who my father is.

Mrs. Hayward greets my parents, one hand twisting her pendant necklace. “Would you like a glass of wine or beer?”

“A glass of wine would be lovely, thank you,” Mum says.

“I’m fine with just water,” Dad replies.

I notice Brewer’s dad tightens his grip around his own beer bottle at my dad’s words.

This is the thing. My dad tends to hold himself separate from my friend’s parents.

It’s partly his job. But it doesn’t help when he’s so serious about everything. Like now. He’s not a teetotaler. I’ve seen him have a few beers when he’s watching rugby. So, he could have accepted Mrs. Hayward’s offer of a beer, and it would have relaxed everyone instead of making them feel judged.

“The girls are still upstairs getting ready,” Mrs. Hayward tells me.

“Oh. Right.”

Shit. I hadn’t even noticed the absence of the girls. I look around. It’s just Brewer, Mazza, Adam, and Connor downstairs.

Luckily the Haywards have a big house, but it’s still crowded with us and all of our parents.