Page 108 of Governor

And, oh, yeah, they’ve already purchased my ticket.

I’d been sitting on the floor in front of Susa’s couch, leaning against it, my head resting against Susa’s leg while I read a textbook. I’m sure if I could see myself that I’d probably laugh at how goddamned ridiculous a sight I must be—naked, collared, sitting there with Susa playing with my hair while she reads like I’m a poodle or something.

But it’s become my favorite place to sit.

I blink, confused over Carter’s announcement. “What did you say?”

“It’s your little brother’s birthday this weekend, and they’re having a party. You’ve been invited. I told your dad you’d be there.”

“Wait…what?”

Not a hint of teasing in his expression. “What words confused you, boy?”

“The whole goddamned sentence.” I close my book. “For starters, how do you even know about Danny’s birthday? I didn’t even know that.”

“I looked up your father on Facebook a few weeks back, friended him, and I’ve been talking to him.”

I honestly don’t have a response for that. Foranyof it. I feel a little…betrayed.

Susa shifts position, draping her legs over my shoulders, which effectively traps me against the couch because she knows damn well I never want to move when she sits like that.

“It’s a gift fromme,” she says. “I want you to spend the time with him.” She starts stroking my hair again. “You should get to know your little brother and sister.”

I’m still staring at Carter. “I thought you saidwe’re flying out.”

“We are. All three of us. We’ll share a hotel room. I’m renting the car. We’ll drive you over to your dad’s place and pick you up. Your little brother and sister are really eager to meet you.”

I wonder when they concocted this plan. They’ve had plenty of time to do it, I suppose. Besides the Sunday nearly two weeks ago, where I ended up sleeping five hours straight until Carter returned with my dinner and had to wake me up, they’ve had a few evenings together. Either Carter drives to Susa’s separately, or he drives me home and returns, or I leave Carter there and Susa brings him home.

“Your dad really wants to see you,” Carter says. “He was afraid to ask you to come visit before because of your mom. He didn’t want to cause you trouble with her. I assured him that’s no longer an issue.”

Technically not true, but my allowance has continued to appear on schedule, so I’m going to keep listening to Carter.

“I-I can’t afford this.”

“Ican,” Susa says, leaning in to rest her chin on top of my head. “This is happening. Period. We didn’t want to tell you until tonight because we didn’t want you working yourself into a frantic panic.”

“When we get back to the dorm tonight,” Carter says, “we’ll pack.”

And…that’s that.

I’m too stunned to really ask questions.

When we leave later that evening, we’re riding in the Snot Box. Carter drove tonight.

I finally ask him. “Why did you do that?”

“Do what?”

“Contact my father?”

“Because I wanted to see what kind of man he was before letting him back into your life. You already have one completely toxic parent. You don’t need another one.”

“Before…lettinghim back into my life?”

“Yes.” His matter-of-fact tone would be borderline maddening if this wasn’t Carter and I wasn’t used to it.

And, oh, I wasn’t collared to the man.