Chapter 17

She meets my gaze for what feels like forever and, much to my annoyance, my stomach ties itself into knots as I wait for her to speak.

She knows. She must know I didn't stay late at school. She probably saw me slip past the window, and now she's going to ground me or something. And I'm not sure if I want to laugh or scream at the thought of her attempting to discipline me.

I keep telling myself I don't care what she thinks, but the way her eyes lock onto mine... I have to look away, my vision blurring with the threat of tears. Because they're Dad's eyes. Seeing them, there's no denying she's his mother. The spring green hue, and the way they seem to see straight through me into my very soul... they're almost an exact replica, and I gulp against the lump that forms in my throat when the memories spring forth in startling clarity.

I never could lie to Dad, even before he perfected that disappointed face. With or without the thinly pressed lips, crossed arms, and shaking