by Ruby Vincent
“Henrietta’s.” He opened the door and helped me up. “She has a few clients whose makeup she does personally and she likes to bring her own stuff right down to the vanity.”
“It’s nice.” I rubbed the warm leather, unsurprised the seat was a black and dark red with the initials H.F. stitched in gold behind my head.
I leaned out of the car to wave bye to Mom as we pulled out of the drive. Her figure grew small in the mirror until we turned the corner and she disappeared from view.
The tiniest twinge panged my heart after she was gone. I didn’t like lying to her about Jonathan. I wished more than anything I could sit down with Mom and talk about the man who left all those years ago.
But I can’t. She closed that door a long time ago and sealed it with a false name. She wanted me nowhere near him but I’m done letting her decide.
Landon teased my knuckles with a gentle finger. “You okay?”
“Yeah.” I turned my palm up and played with his in turn. “Thanks for picking me up.”
“It’s worth it to steal a few hours with you.”
“We have been so busy. Why don’t we stop off after the party? Get some dessert. Just sit and talk.”
“Love to.”
We spent the rest of the ride listening to music and singing along at the top of our lungs. Landon had the worst singing voice I ever heard. It was criminal that such an awful noise could come from those perfect lips.
He had me laughing so hard tears ran down my face. It was the best way to relax me and he wasn’t even trying.
We pulled up to the country club and rolled out of the car giggling like we had a secret. Landon grabbed my waist and peppered my lips with tiny little kisses like treats through our mirth.
“I love you, Zela Manning.”
“I love you too.”
“Aren’t you guys cute?”
Derek emerged from the double doors. One look at him and I was reminded why I was here. Derek held out his hand.
“Landon, I have to go with him,” I said. “I’ll see you inside.”
“What’s up?”
I curled my fingers around Derek’s. “Derek is going to take me to meet his father.”
“Okay. I’ll catch up with you later.”
I smiled at him over my shoulder. “Good luck.”
The Evergreen Country Club was a lot like how I imagined. A mansion like all in this town, uniformed staff manning grand double doors welcomed us inside. We stepped into a circular lobby. Soft lighting shone down on us and the indoor wishing well in the middle of the foyer.
I peered over the rim. Coins glinted on the bottom of the basin, representing the wishes of those who seemed to have it all.
But no life is perfect.
Derek touched the small of my back. “He’ll love you, Zee.”
My lips trembled. I couldn’t voice it, yet Derek knew what to say. He led me away.
Tinkling music poured out of the ballroom as we approached. Through the entrance, people flitted in and out of view, some carrying trays and others carrying wallets. Derek told Melody the party was small, but dozens of round, white-linen-covered tables took up every space that wasn’t taken by the dance floor or stage.
“Where is he?”
Derek pointed through the crowd. “Over there. I can introduce you, but he won’t have time for more than the required ‘hello’ and ‘how are you.’ He’s working his way through greeting all the guests.”
I bobbed my head, heart pounding its way up my throat, as Derek tugged me closer to the crowd of people shielding Jonathan.
“If you really want to talk to him, find him during the dancing. Dad hates to dance and pretends like he’s tired as soon as the music kicks up.”
“Okay, okay,” I breathed. “M-maybe I should wait until then.” I dug my heels in. “I d-don’t know about this. I—”
“I’ll be right next to you.” He held up the hand I was squeezing. “Even if you break my fingers.”
A soft laugh sneaked out of me. It took a bit of my tension with it and I picked up my feet. “Okay. Let’s go.”
Derek found a break in the crowd and pushed us through. In the center of it all, Jonathan Grayson stood with Naomi. Derek’s mom was first to notice us.
“There you are, my love. Stay close. We’re going to take a picture as a family.” Naomi grasped his jaw and planted a smooch that left bright red lips on his cheek. “My handsome boy,” she said fondly.
“Mom,” Derek hissed, red-faced. He tugged me to his side. “You remember Zee.”
Naomi turned stunning blue eyes on me. “How can I not? My son talks about you all the time. I’m glad we got another chance to meet you.”
“Me too. Whenever you have time, I’m dying for those embarrassing childhood stories. Don’t feel like you have to hold back.”
Naomi’s laugh was as beautiful and refined as her.
“That conversation will never happen,” Derek said.
“No?” She rubbed the lipstick from his cheek, smiling mischievously. “You don’t want me to tell him about the time my baby mistook a set toilet for a real one? He was so proud he used the potty on his own I couldn’t be angry.”
A snort ripped out of me at Derek’s beet red face. I knew in that instant I liked Naomi Grayson.
“Looks like I’m missing the fun.”
My mouth dried up in a snap. Jonathan moved away from the couple he was speaking to and joined our group. His eyes lit up when he recognized me.
“Zeke Manning. Good to see you again.” Derek lifted my hand before I thought to raise it and Jonathan shook warmly. “I was looking forward to talking at the reception and now we have another chance. I’m dying to get to know my son’s best friend.”
“I can already tell you he’s a delight,” Naomi said.
Jonathan smiled at me. “High praise. You’ve won my wife over. I’ll be a piece of cake.”
I brimmed with so many emotions at once I couldn’t tell one from the other. My father was speaking to me. He was smiling at me. He was happy to see me.
“Why don’t you join us at our table?” Jonathan offered. “I must continue making the rounds, but we can pick this up over dinner.”
Naomi and Jonathan strode off.
“O-okay,” I said at their backs.
“That went well.”
“I know,” I squealed. Happiness bubbled in me like fizzy soda.
“I was making fun of you,” he deadpanned. “You didn’t say a word to him.”
I shoved his shoulder. “One step at a time,” I said, fighting a laugh. “I’m looking forward to more of those baby Derek stories.”
“Hm. No. I’m about to threaten my mother with emancipation if she tells you another one.” He backed away. “Our table is at the front. See you in a minute.”
Derek went after his parents while I headed for the table.
“Zeke? Zeke Manning, is that you?”
I pulled up short. “Mrs. Jeong?”
The member of the board of education happily waved me over. Standing at her shoulder was Principal Whittaker.
“What luck,” she said. “We were just speaking about you.”
“You were?”
She beamed. “Your principal was telling me that you transferred into the Elite Class. Congratulations. Are you finding the math classes more your speed?”
“They’re incredibly hard and it’s great,” I replied. “I’m learning so much from Mrs. Peterson and from my self-study.”
“How are you adjusting to being in a new class? Was it hard leaving your teachers and friends?”
“A little,” I admitted. “But we eat together every day and we practice and study after school. If they need help preparing for battles, I’m always there and not only for my friends.” I shot Whittaker a smile. “I practice with the Ds and Cs too and they started calling me the Battle Doctor.”
I made a face like I was embarrassed.
“The Battle Doctor,” Jeong repeated, sounding impr
essed. “Quite a title.”
“It’s weird, but I love helping out and using math to do it. I’ve discovered a whole world of sports math since I’ve been at Breakbattle.”
“Sports math? Fascinating.” She looked over my shoulder and waved to someone. “I’d like to hear more about this later tonight, Zeke. I don’t know if you heard, but we’ll be dropping in again this year as we decide on integrating the battle system into our public schools.”
“Oh, wow. I didn’t know.”
She nodded happily. “Yes, yes. I expect to see you very soon. I have to go but it was a pleasure as always.”
Jeong left and Whittaker was right behind. He didn’t leave before giving me an approving nod.
Sitting at the Grayson table, I watched the party go on around me. Landon was in a corner engrossed in conversation with two women I assumed ran nonprofits. Cole was near the refreshment table with Christina. They both spoke to a well-built man in a sharp, gray suit.
Across the room, Michael sat with a woman I recognized as his mom. He grinned when he saw me and beckoned me over. I talked with them for the rest of cocktail hour until someone came on the mic and announced dinner was ready to be served.
By the time I weaved through the crowd to get to the front table, Derek, Naomi, and Jonathan were seated and both seats on either side of them were taken. I grabbed a seat two heads away from Jonathan but it was no good.
As dinner went on, he spent most of his time talking to Naomi or the man next to him, Rolando Martin from the board of education.
This is what tonight is about. Jonathan isn’t going to let me steal too much time away from Mr. Martin.
I picked at my food, one eye on him and one on my plate. If Jonathan planned to bow out of the dancing, I’d draw out every course so we’d be the only two left at the table.
I pushed my seafood-stuffed salmon filet around the plate while everyone ate their dessert. As if it was the cue, Jonathan set his fork on his clean plate and the music turned up. He rose and held out his hand to Naomi.
“May I?”
He swept her out onto the dance floor and soon other couples followed. I waited... and waited... and waited for Jonathan to make his exit, but he seemed content to twirl Naomi around the room all night.
Derek spoke to Mrs. Jeong just off the dance floor. I shot him a desperate look. He shrugged helplessly, mouthed something to me, and then pointed at the door leading to the terrace.
I got the hint and rose from the table. A fresh, cool breeze wrapped around me as I stepped outside. A stark difference from the heated, packed room in there.
The terrace was empty. All that met my sight was a stone bench set beneath the railing. I sat and rested my head against the metal. The cool and silence brought soothing relief.
Eventually, I will get a chance to talk to him. He has to take a—
“Needed a bit of fresh air too?”
I stopped breathing.
“Nice night, isn’t it? It seems the storms have finally passed on.” Jonathan moved to my side. “This is lucky. I’ve been hoping to get a chance to speak with you all night.”
“With me?” My voice was barely above a whisper. “Why?”
“You’ve caused quite a stir, Zeke. Since the first week you started at Breakbattle Academy.”
“You mean...”
Shadows cast over him, obscuring the side of his face, but as he peered at me out of the corner of his eye, I trailed off.
“I can’t be your biggest fan then,” I forced out.
“Why would you say that?”
“I’ve caused a lot of trouble for your Network.”
The sound shocked me so deeply it took my mind a minute to register Jonathan laughing.
“Trouble for us? No.” He grasped my shoulder. “The casualty of your battle was the person it was with. And if I can be honest, I appreciate how you handled yourself in response to Dupre’s test at orientation.”
“You do?”
He nodded. “I wasn’t aware of what he had planned, or I wouldn’t have ordered Derek to go along with it. Refusing to cover up the death of my son may not have earned you a place with us, but it won you Derek’s trust and my respect. Loyalty is an important trait in our members, but integrity is valued even more.”
I couldn’t believe Jonathan was openly speaking about the Network. This was my chance to ask him more. Get him to explain why Cameron was allowed to craft his own twisted punishment for me in freshman year. Why did he get his position back? Why did his position exist in the first place? And most importantly, what was Dominick Dupre’s role, and how would he use it to make you richer?
My opportunity to ask these questions had come... and I didn’t take it. I had no desire to speak about the Network, Dominick Dupre, or Cameron. I just wanted to speak to my father.
“Earning Derek’s trust was worth everything,” I said. “He’s been a good friend to me.”
“I’m happy to hear that. I admit, I’ve been worried about him. The world has given him reason to be closed off, but over time, it will punish you for the barriers it forced you to erect.”
“I never thought of it that way,” I admitted. “If you’re too trusting, people line up to take advantage. If you close your heart, you keep out those who want to love you for you.” I shook my head. “Screwed either way.”
Jonathan laughed—a light, genuine sound that made me smile. “I couldn’t have put it better myself. The reason I’m glad he let you in.”
I made a face. “I don’t think you should stop worrying about him just yet.”
“What do you mean?”
Shifting to face him, I gave Jonathan a serious look. “He’s your son, but he calls Ace Ventura movies classics. How did you let that happen?”
He laughed short and sharp like it startled him. “I did my best with the kid, but at some point, you just have to accept them for who they are... and pass the blame onto their mother.”
I giggled. My heart fluttered in my chest, racing away on a happiness I never felt before.
“Tell me your favorite movies, Zeke.” He winked. “I hope a few of mine are in there.”
“Of course. I loved Flamingo and A Good Neighbor. I’ve got a weakness for action so I’ve seen Die Hard twenty times, but I also love Studio Ghibli.”
He hummed. “Hayao Miyazaki is an inspiration. He weaves heartfelt tales, and at the center of each, are strong female characters.”
My lips quirked up in a small smile. “My mom says the same thing.”
“Does she? Well, it’s obvious she’s doing a better job imparting her film taste. Have you seen Howl’s Moving Castle?”
“Only twelve times. It’s one of my all-time favorites.”
Jonathan and I talked movies back and forth as the music floated out of the cracked door. Slow to fast to dance to classical. The party went on unheeding of our absence.
“Adam’s grandma introduced me to the world of film noir,” I told him. “They don’t make movies like that anymore.”
“They sure don’t. That was a great time for film.” He tossed his head, passion lacing his voice. “I remember staying up late with my father and Humphrey Bogart. We used to—”
Light swept over us.
“Darling? Where did you— Oh. There you are.” Naomi strode across the terrace, hands out. “You’re very sneaky slipping out here while I was speaking to Katelin, but you’re not getting out of dancing with me.”
Jonathan gathered her in his arms and kissed her deeply. I looked away.
“There’s nothing I want more than to dance with you, my love.”
Naomi giggled like a teenager.
This is what Derek meant when he said his parents were so in love it was nauseating.
I felt a tap on my shoulder.
“He says that now,” she replied. “Let’s see how long it takes before he slips away.”
Some giggling and the sound of more smooching followed that.
“It was great talking t
o you, Zeke,” Jonathan said as his wife pulled him away. “We have to pick this conversation up again another time.”
“I’d love too.” Excitement lifted me off the railing and tugged me after him as though we were connected by an invisible string. “Any time.”
“I’ll tell Derek to bring you around more often.”
The door closed in my face and finally, I didn’t have to hold back my smile. I talked to Jonathan Grayson and it went great. It went better than great. He liked me.
Squealing, I plopped down on the bench and kicked my feet in the air. He said he wanted to continue our talk and I prayed he meant it. There was so much more I wanted to know about him. I needed to hear the stories of watching movies with his dad. What was his favorite breakfast? His favorite music? Does he jiggle his foot when he’s nervous like I do? I wanted to know it all.
My mother had every right to be angry with him for leaving us. But I wanted to know my father on my terms, not through her eyes.
“You’re going to pay for this, fucker.”
A sharp, cold hiss made my head snap up.
I dropped my feet.
Just off the steps of the terrace was a path that led around the building. I squinted through the gloom, listening hard.
“Get the fuck off me!”
The shout was followed by a grunt and then a loud thump.
I frowned. I know that voice... Cameron?
“I told you what would happen if you didn’t stop,” a second voice snarled.
A loud cry ripped through the night and I was off the bench. I raced for the steps of the terrace just as someone tore around the corner. We crashed into each other and I tripped, falling back and crying out as a heavy body landed on top of me.
Cameron scrambled off me “What the fuck are you doing out here?”
I flinched in the face of his fury, and the blood weeping from the cut on his forehead.
“Are you okay?” I croaked, struggling to sit up. “Who was that? Who did that to you?”
I reached for him.
Cameron jerked back like my touch burned. “Fuck off! I don’t need your help!”
He flung open the doors and ran inside. I went after him. I grabbed his arm again and Cameron roughly shook me off. The force made me stumble into a table, drawing the attention of the crowd.