Chapter 20

When he sees me looking at him, he scowls and turns away.

“My dad’s on tour right now. What the fuck is your parents’ excuse? Too busy working at the factory?”

“There’s nothing wrong with working at a factory,” I grind out, my jaw clenched tight, “but no, my dad will be here.” I’m not about to explain to Zayd that I’m worried he’s too drunk, that he passed out somewhere, that he forgot. That’d just give him more ammo to throw at me, and even without a whole lot, the Idols are doing a damn good job gunning for me. “He’ll be here,” I repeat, crossing my arms over my chest and shivering at the cool breeze. I’ve always disliked October and the cold chill of fall. While everybody else was going to the pumpkin patch with their families, trick-or-treating, having big Thanksgiving get-togethers, it was just me and Dad struggling to get by.

Zayd ignores me, humming some song under his breath that I vaguely recognize. I’m more of a classical music person, so I’m not super fa