Page 27

TWENTY-SEVEN

ELI

“Elliot Carson, what on earth are you doin’ here?”

I’m frozen, my fist wrapped around the knob of Becca’s front door. I came over to tell her congratulations before her graduation ceremony. She said it was safe, that Sabrina was out with her parents, so no one else was there.

Clearly, it was a stupid idea.

That fact is being pile driven into my brain right now, since I’m staring into the green eyes and ruddy cheeks of Becca’s father.

Preacher Sanger.

I clear my throat, unclenching from around the handle and straightening. “Preacher Sanger. It’s good to see you, sir.”

“It’s bewilderin’ to see you. I’m gonna ask you again, what are you doin’ in the apartment I pay for?”

My brows dip because I’m pretty certain he doesn’t pay for shit.

What the hell is he talking about?

“You didn’t know? I coach at FCU. I was dropping by to wish Becca congratulations, on behalf of my little sister, since she couldn’t be here in person.”

My mouth waters from the bitter taste of the lie.

“Coachin’, huh? Not quite the bright lights and fame you expected, is it, boy?” He chuckles, smacking me on the back as he moves to walk inside. He’s tall, so he has to duck slightly as he walks through the door, and Becca’s mom trails behind him, stopping in front of me and grasping my jaw in her pale, bony hands.

“Elliot Carson.” Her voice is low, and she glances toward her husband. Her features are strikingly similar to Becca’s, and it sends a shiver up my spine. “Who knew we’d find the town’s pride and joy hidin’ away in our daughter’s apartment.”

She holds my gaze, her eyes flickering as they stare into mine.

“Momma, Papa, what are you two doin’ here?” Becca’s voice cuts through the tension as she walks into the living room.

Her father scoffs. “We’re here to see you, of course.”

“I thought I was meetin’ y’all at the hotel.” Becca fidgets, her eyes peeking at me before locking on to her mom’s.

“Hi, Momma.”

“Rebecca Jean. Is that what you’re wearin’?”

My jaw ticks at the way they haven’t even embraced their daughter. Haven’t said congratulations, haven’t even smiled. Graduation is supposed to be a celebration, but the room is drenched in obligation.

Becca runs her hands over her tight, black dress. Personally, I think it looks fucking sexy, but no one has asked for my opinion. I’m not even sure why I’m still standing here, but I can’t bring myself to leave when it feels like Becca needs someone on her side.

“Momma, please.” She sighs. “You won’t be able to see it under the god-awful gown we all have to wear.”

“Well, thank goodness for small miracles.” Her mom brushes a curl away from her face. “And you should know better than to take the Lord’s name in vain.”

“This is exactly the reason why you need to come back home,” Preacher Sanger pipes in. “Too much freedom makes your tongue loose and your morals shaky, Rebecca.”

“I think you look great.” The words slip out before I can drag them back in.

All three of them shift their bodies toward me. Becca’s eyes are wide. Preacher Sanger wears a frown, and Mrs. Sanger… Her gaze is busy bouncing back and forth between Becca and me, her lips pinching more with each pass.

“Can we not talk about this right now?” Becca crosses her arms, defiance locking her jaw tight.

“We’ll talk about whatever we want in the apartment I pay for,” Preacher Sanger states.

Becca’s posture straightens. “You haven’t paid for a damn thing. Or did you forget that you wrote me off for wantin’ to live my life?”

He chuckles, brushing nonexistent lint off his suit jacket. “You really think your meager joke of a paycheck was coverin’ all your expenses?”

My stomach drops with the dread that’s settling on top of it.

Becca’s eyebrows pull in. “Well, I…I mean…”

I’m not used to seeing her unsure in her words, and I don’t like it. Part of me wonders if this is how it’s always been between them—the oppressive nature of her father slumping her shoulders and dousing her fire.

My body burns with the need to reassure her of her strength.

“What are you talkin’ about?” she finally manages. “I put everything I make directly into Sabrina’s hands every month.”

He nods, his brow rising. “And where do you think she gets the rest of it?”

Becca pulls at one of her curls. “No, I… The rest of what ?”

“A measly five hundred dollars isn’t enough to pay for the bed you sleep in, let alone everything that comes with it.”

My stomach rolls. Why didn’t she tell me she needed money?

Becca’s lower lip trembles as she shakes her head. “Sabrina wouldn’t take money from you without tellin’ me.”

Mrs. Sanger sighs, walking over and patting Becca’s arm. “Oh, honey. When will you learn that people aren’t always who you expect them to be?”

Becca’s cheeks redden. I watch as realization filters into her eyes, whipping around and lighting them ablaze.

Preacher Sanger shakes his head. “Makes me wonder what type of education I’ve even been payin’ for the past four years.”

My body vibrates with the urge to walk over and stand at her back. To steal away the heaviness in her stance and let it rest on my shoulders instead.

“But I…” Becca’s voice trails off.

Her father walks closer, his hands coming to lay on her shoulders. “Do you truly believe I would let my daughter live broke and destitute? I’ll always be holdin’ the strings to tie you back together.”

Does he really think his daughter is so weak?

My nostrils flare and my teeth grit so hard I’m surprised my molars don’t crack. If I don’t leave right fucking now, I’ll say something I might regret, and the last thing I want is to make things worse for her.

“Anyway, now that I’ve sent my sister’s congrats in person, I should head out.” I lock my eyes on Becca. “Congratulations, Becca. Ma would be so proud.”

My voice catches on the last word.

Becca’s lips part on a gasp, her eyes growing glassy as she mumbles out her thanks.

I want to drag her out of the apartment. Wrap her in my arms and shield her from her parents’ ugly truths. But it’s hard to use your limbs when they’re tied behind your back.

So I leave alone, reassuring myself the constraints are temporary.

She’s graduating. Finally.

And tonight, everything will change.