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“ D arling, we have something we’d like to discuss with you.” I know as soon as I walk into the dining room and see the way the breakfast table’s set up that I’m not going to like what that something is.

Mom has got out her best china…well, Rachel has. And she and Dad are sitting, their backs straight, while they wait for me to join them.

“Look, if this is about me sneaking out last nigh?—”

“Frank.” Mom looks to Dad, urging him to get to the point before I’ve even finished.

You’re mother and I have been discussing your options,” Dad tells me, wiping the corner of his mouth with his napkin and clearing his throat.

“What options?” I stare between them, confused.

“We were thinking it might be a good idea for you to attend college out of state, perhaps in New York with your Aunt Maeve,” Mom explains.

“Aunt Maeve?” I repeat, wondering if this is some kind of joke. My parents know how much I hate my mom’s sister, and Dad detests the woman just as much as I do.

“Yes, dear, there are some wonderful colleges in New York.” Mom smiles as if she’s doing me a favour.

“But I’m enrolled in a college here. It’s too short notice to change all that now,” I remind them.

“Well, as you know, your father has connections,” Mom reminds me, taking his hand and squeezing it hard. “I’m sure many of them would be happy to have you attend,” she assures me, trying to make this disaster sound exciting.

“But I don’t want to study in New York. I like my life here.” I shake my head and feel my chest start to tighten.

“We both agree that, given the circumstances, a fresh start will do you good.” She digs her elbow into Father’s side, and he quickly nods his head to agree with her.

“No, you don’t,” I argue back. “You want me out of sight and out of mind because I don’t fit in with the image of the campaign.” I shake my head and laugh. Do they really think I’m that stupid?

“That's not true at all, we’re thinking of you, dear.” Mom tries to sound convincing, but it doesn't work. I see right through her.

“Don’t bullshit me.”

Mom’s dramatic gasp echoes on the walls and closes her eyes with shame.

“I’m sorry to disappoint you both, but I’m not leaving town. I like it here, I like my friends, and I like my job.”

“Now, who’s talking bullshit?” Mom shocks both Dad and me when out of nowhere she slams her fist on the table and rattles all the china.

“Do you think we’re imbeciles, Millie? We know where you went last night; we had you followed.

You went to that damn clubhouse with those bikers.

” She starts stepping toward me, and Dad quickly gets up on his feet.

“Do you have any idea what you're going to do to your father's reputation?

You're a selfish, stupid girl, and this rebellion will ruin this family.” She points her finger at me so fiercely, it shakes in the air in front of me.

“Julie, calm down.” Father takes hold of her.

“New York was just a suggestion.” He smiles at me over her shoulder.

“No, it wasn’t Frank.” She quickly turns her anger on him. “New York was a fucking lifeline.” Shrugging herself out of his grip, she storms out the door, slamming it behind her and leaving me and Father alone.

“Do you really want me to go?” I look at him, wondering what he really thinks about all of this. He may be the one running for senator, but it’s always Mom who’s in control. Sometimes I wonder if all this is what he really wants.

“Of course, I don’t, sweetheart, but I do wonder if you're stuck in a rut here. Corey was your only real friend, and he’s gone. I think you need a fresh start, a way to move on. Hanging around at the club isn’t going to help with that,” he tells me calmly.

“But Aunt Maeve?” I shake my head at him disappointedly.

“You don’t have to stay with her, we could get you a place on campus. This is something you should be excited about, Millie.” He reaches out to take my hand, but I back away.

“I’m not going anywhere,” I warn him. “You and Mom seem to forget that I’m eighteen now; I can make my own decisions.

I might not even want to go to college at all.

” I can see how badly that upsets him, yet he doesn’t react.

“Ask yourself a question, Dad. What would you rather lose? Your campaign or me?” I leave him to think about that and walk out the door. I have a shift at the diner to get to.

“Well, hello.” Beatrix greets me with a proud grin on her face.

“Good night, last night?” I laugh, taking my apron out of my locker and tying it around my waist. I’ve decided not to bring the argument I had with my parents to work with me. I can worry about it when I get home.

“Very good, thank you. I noticed you left in a hurry, though.” Beatrix is clearly prying, and after the morning I’ve had already, I’ve got no time for it.

“Just tired.” I close my locker up and prepare to get started.

“So you didn’t find it hot when Dev almost drowned that kid who tried to kiss you?” she checks.

“You saw that?” I swear I looked for her everywhere when I got there and saw no sign of her.

“No, but I heard all about it; everyone was talking about it after you left.” She shrugs, using her shoulder to open the door out onto the diner floor.

“Dev’s soooo got the hots for you.” She laughs at me, smiling at the old couple who come in every morning for a pastry and coffee, then starts to wipe down the table beside them.

“Actually, it’s the opposite. Dev hates me; he doesn’t want me near him or the club. That’s why I went home early,” I confess, I lost all my pride last night when I dared Dev to kiss me again, so there’s no point in me pretending.

“He said some really hurtful things…He called me kiddo, the condescending asshole.” I must have spoken out loud because the old couple is smiling at me awkwardly.

“Well, soon you won’t have to worry. You’ll be able to hang out at the club as much as you like when he’s not there. Who knows, you might even get lucky like I did last night.” She winks at me as she moves on

“Wait, what did you mean when you said not there? Beatrix, do you know something?” I ask, starting to panic.

“I don’t know anything for sure. I just overheard a conversation that sounded a lot like Dev was thinking of leaving town.” She acts as if it’s going to be a weight off my shoulders.

“Leaving tow–” I realize I just shouted when everyone in here looks up at me.

“What conversation did you hear, Beatrix?” I drag her to the corner and grip her arm so she can’t get away from me.

“Well, Sinner got one of the other members to give me a ride home after we…ya know.” She rolls her eyes dreamily.

“Beatrix, stick to the point.” I shake her a little harder.

“Before we left, I heard him and Sinner talking about Dev moving back to the Nebraska charter. Apparently, it’s where he originally came from.” She shrugs.

“You’re sure? You’re sure you heard that right?” I ask, feeling my heart starting to thud.

“I was a little wasted, but I made sure I remembered that part. I know you two have something weird going on, and I was looking out for you,” she tells me.

“Cover for me,” I tell her, stripping off my apron and throwing it at her.

“What do you mean cove?—”

“I have to speak to Dev,” I call back as I rush out the door.

It’s not even eight am, so I know Dev won’t be at the club yet.

I often look out the window when I hear a bike engine pass, and his never goes by before nine.

I can make it to his house on foot in twenty minutes, and hopefully in those twenty minutes, I can try to come up with a way to convince him to stay.