Page 84 of The Rebel of Raleigh High

“Are you gonna cane the back of my hands?” I say, grinning at him.

“For three minutes? I should think only a light beating’s in order. How was your night?”

I sigh, hiking my backpack up on my shoulder. “Ahh, y’know. Drunken debauchery. Half a bottle of tequila. Running around naked, howling at the moon. The usual.” It’s a low blow, using the truth to throw him off guard. I don’t’ feel good about it, but it’s better than an outright lie.

“And the car?”

“Hmm?”

“You rolled up in an Uber. The Nova crap out on you?”

“Yeah…it’s been acting up for days. I left it at Alex’s. He says he’s gonna take a look at it for me in the morning.”

“Well, I guess having a boyfriend who knows his way around an engine has its perks. Tell him to come over for dinner tomorrow night. Your Mom and I want to get to him know him a little better.”

“Dad—”

“How about you drag the guy over here tomorrow night without a fuss, and I won’t make a stink about the fact that I can smell all that booze on you from fifteen feet away, hmm?”

I chew the inside of my cheek, knowing defeat when I see it. “Well played, sir. Well played.”

He turns back to his computer, sliding his glasses back on. “Don't wake your brother up on your way to bed,” he says in a sing-song voice. “Otherwise I'll be forced to rethink my very forgiving mood.”

I laugh softly under my breath. “Night, Dad.”