The OUT OF LINE Series

by Jen McLaughlin

  “I don’t know what you want to hear from me, sir,” I forced myself to say. My voice sounded pretty damn calm. I leaned back against the seat, even though I wanted to bolt and warn Carrie. My heart pounded in my ears, echoing like a drum solo in an empty room. “I’ve been doing my job. Watching your daughter. Keeping her out of trouble.”

  He leaned forward and gripped my shoulder far too hard to be comforting. “Well, tell me everything you know.”

  This was it. This was the fucking beginning of the end. Even knowing this, I forced myself to calmly ask, “About what, sir?”

  He narrowed his eyes at me, for once not looking cold. No, he looked fucking pissed off. “Why don’t you tell me?”

  Mom tilted her head, fingering the sleeve of the soft teal sweater in front of her. “I don’t know, honey. Which one do you think you’ll get the most use out of?”

  “I like this one,” I said, my mind not really on the sweater. It was on Finn and the chemistry homework I’d never finished, and the lab I had to do tomorrow morning. “It’s a lighter shade.”

  Mom nodded. “And feel how soft it is.”

  I sighed, reaching out and touching the soft sweater, trying my best to look as into the whole shopping experience as she was. I’d never been able to last as long as she could, and today was no exception. We’d been shopping for three hours, and I was done. D-O-N-E, done. I didn’t care which one she bought thirty minutes ago, and I didn’t care now either.

  It was a shirt. A shirt Finn would undoubtedly rip off me at some point.

  “It’ll go better with your hair.” She held the sweater up to me, and I held my arms out as she studied my complexion. “Yes, this’ll do. Now, for some pants…”

  I followed her, barely biting back a groan. Truth be told, I wasn’t much of a shopper, but she was, and it made her happy. I smiled and acted as if I cared what color socks I wore with my sweaters because it made her smile. As she combed through a rack of black jeans, I peeked over my shoulder for the ten-millionth time.

  Finn still wasn’t out there. Just a pair of suits.

  Where was he? Was I just not seeing him? For a while after our big fight, he’d done a good job at staying hidden from me. Maybe he was incognito or something.

  “Oh, look at the pockets on these.” Mom pulled out a pair of black jeans with zippers on a bunch of pockets from the back of the rack. “They look like something a biker chick would wear, don’t you think?”

  They did. I could easily picture myself sitting on Finn’s bike, wearing those pants and wrapping my arms around his waist. I bet he’d like them, too. For the first time this whole shopping trip, my heart picked up speed. “Yeah, and I like them. Are they my size?”

  She looked at me with a raised brow. “Of course they are. I wouldn’t have pulled them out if they weren’t.”

  “I’ll take them.” I smiled at her, my eyes still on the pants. “Thanks, Mom.”

  “You’re welcome, dear.” She pursed her lips and looked at me, her eyes narrowed. I stiffened. Last time she looked at me like that, I’d been forced to get a haircut because it was fresh and fun. I’d hated it. “Shall we get you some biker boots to go with it?”

  I tensed. She sounded suspicious. As if she knew I was riding a bike now. She couldn’t possibly know that. I forced myself to relax and smile. “Um, sure. Why not? They’re fashionable now. Maybe with some laces that go all the way up?”

  She tapped a finger on her lip. “Your tastes have changed.”

  “I’ve grown up.” I looked over my shoulder, searching the crowd outside for Finn. Still no sign of him. I turned back to Mom. “Is that so bad?”

  She smiled and headed for the register. “Of course not. As a matter of fact, I think I like the changes. You look happier.”

  That’s because I was. I had Finn. “I am, Mom. Really, really happy.”

  “Good. And I’m glad you’re free of all the stresses from our life out here.” Mom stood in line, tapping her foot as she waited. “Last week, we hosted three senators and a governor for dinner. Everything was rolling along smoothly, but then, wouldn’t you know it? Christy got the flu and couldn’t make the dinner. We had to scramble for a replacement chef at the last second, and Dad was on a rampage.”

  I flinched. I was all too familiar with the stresses that came with being a Wallington. “Who did you find?”

  “The Stapletons loaned us theirs. He was delightful.” Mom looked over her shoulder, her eyes lighting up. “Hey, you remember them, right? They have a son who’s a couple of years older than you. His name’s Riley.”

  I scanned my memory. I vaguely remembered a guy a few years older than me at Dad’s last gala, but to be honest, most of those events passed in a blur. “Blond hair, green eyes, and tall?”

  “Mmhm.” She smiled even bigger. “You remember him.”

  “Yeah, sure.” I shrugged. “He seemed nice enough.”

  “Well, he wants to go sailing with you over the summer break.” Mom stepped forward in the line a little bit more. “They visited the night of the disaster, and we got to talking about you. You’ll never believe it, but he goes to school upstate, near San Francisco.”

  I tensed. Why hadn’t I realized where this was going? “Mom…”

  “Oh relax, dear.” She patted my arm. “It’s a sailing expedition, not a betrothal.”

  I choked on a laugh. “I know, but I’m not looking for a boyfriend right now.” Because I already have one. “Besides, why would he be thinking about taking me out? He doesn’t even really know me.”

  “Your father and his are in the same political party, as you know, so it’s an advantageous move for both families.” She sighed and hugged the clothes tighter to her chest. “You do know at one point, you’ll have to come home and play the game. Be the daughter your father needs you to be. Right?”

  I stiffened and swallowed hard. In other words, I was expected to come home and marry a Stapleton like a good little girl. Yeah. That wasn’t going to happen. I didn’t need a Stapleton. I had a Coram. This was exactly what Finn had been worried about. And I’d laughed it off, as if it didn’t matter and would never come into play.

  I’d been wrong. It did matter. Finn was smart to plan ahead.

  “Mom, I’m not marrying someone to further Dad’s career,” I said, my voice low. “I love you, and I love him, but no.”

  “You’re not going to marry a man for your father. That’s not what I meant.” She shrugged. “But you’ll marry someone who will be a benefit to the family, I’m sure. Someone who is worthy of standing beside a Wallington. You should take more pride in who you are.”

  “I have plenty of pride.” I crossed my arms. “But you have too much. We’re no different than anyone else.”

  “I didn’t say we were. You’re putting words in my mouth.” Mom sighed. “It’s hard to see the big picture when you’re so young.” She reached out and squeezed my arm, her eyes kind, even though her words made me want to scream. “You have time. There’s no rush for you to accept this all right here.”

  I clenched my teeth. I wouldn’t be accepting it ever. “Mom.”

  “It’s about more than what we want out of life. There’s your father’s career, the presidential campaign, the opportunities…you’re just too young to see that.” Mom dropped her arm. “Looks like it’s my turn to pay.”

  Mom stepped forward and chatted up the store employee, acting for all the world as if she hadn’t just dropped a bombshell on me and walked away. I fidgeted and looked over my shoulder. Dad was out there talking to the suits, but still no Finn.

  Not able to stand it another second, I pulled out my phone and texted him. Everything okay, Susan?

  My phone buzzed and my heart sped up. Yeah, I’m fine. What are you up to?

  I peeked at Mom, making sure she wasn’t watching me. Luckily, she was too busy chatting. Shopping with my mom.

  Oh boy. Sounds…fun? Okay. I can’t lie. Not really. You know I’m not much of a shopper.

/>   I held back a smile. Yeah, I know.

  Are you going to buy something pretty?

  I grinned. Like…?

  I don’t know. A skirt for church? Maybe we could share it.

  I snorted, then glanced up cautiously. Mom was almost finished. Uh-oh. We’re done paying. I have to go.

  Okay. Hey, the sun is finally shining.

  I looked out the window and smiled. It really is.

  I shoved my phone back in my pocket just in time for Mom to stop yakking to the cashier. She looked at me, taking in my flushed cheeks more than likely. She arched a dainty brow. “What were you doing, dear?” she asked.

  I scrambled for something to say and blurted out the first thing that came to mind. “Looking at used cars.”

  “Cars?” Mom blinked at me. “Do you want one?”

  I nodded frantically, wiping my sweaty palms on my thighs. “Yeah, someday. Something inexpensive to get around in, you know? I spend a lot in cab fare.”

  “Okay.” She shrugged. “Tell your father. He’ll buy you one.”

  “I will.” Not. If I told him, he’d buy me some expensive, top-of-the-line car. I wanted something old and rusty. Nothing fancy. I cleared my throat, ready to change the subject. “By the way, how’s your friend Mary? The one who went for surgery on Monday when we talked?”

  “Oh, I think she’s better.”

  I nodded, letting her walk in front of me and following her closely. “How do you know? Did you go see her again?”

  “No. She’s back on our Words With Friends game as of an hour ago.” Mom looked back at me and shrugged. “She can’t play if she’s not feeling better, so she must be fine.”

  I choked on a laugh. “Uh…yeah. I guess so.”

  I followed her out the door, my attention focused on Dad. I looked for any signs of anger or frustration or knowledge, but he just smiled at me and hugged Mom. When he hugged me, kissing the top of my head like he always did, I wanted to shake him and ask him where Finn was. I couldn’t.

  I had to play the game.

  “Where have you been?” I asked him.

  I looked up at him like I used to do when I was a little girl, with my chin resting on his chest. It took me back to a time when I’d thought he could do no wrong. I’d thought he was perfect back then. Invincible. How naïve I’d been. He was a good man. He really was. But he had flaws like the rest of us.

  “You weren’t done until three and I knew your mother wanted to go shopping with you like old times.” He eyed the bags in my hands and Mom’s. “Looks like you were both successful.”

  “Of course we were,” Mom said, fluffing her light red hair. “But where’d you run off to all day, Hugh?”

  “Oh, you know, taking care of some business.” Dad averted his eyes and let go of me, pressing his lips together. His dark brown hair was immaculately in place, and he was clean-shaven. If he smiled, he’d flash those famous dimples that made all the women in America swoon. He could probably win the campaign with those two assets alone. “I’m starving. You two ready to eat something?”

  I nodded. “Sure.”

  “Absolutely,” Mom said.

  He grinned, his dimples popping out. “All right. Off we go, the fearsome threesome.”

  I didn’t follow him as he walked, and it took him all of two seconds to notice. When he turned to me with a curious expression, I gave him a level look. A few months ago, I wouldn’t have had the courage to stand up to him like this, but I’d changed. Finn had shown me how life was supposed to be, and it wasn’t this. “Lose the suits. I’m not ruining my cover because you’re scared we’ll be attacked at the restaurant.”

  If Finn still followed us, Dad wouldn’t even hesitate to send the men packing. He would shrug and tell them to go eat. “You know I can’t do that.”

  “Sure you can. Normal people do it all the time.”

  “We’re not normal,” he stressed, looking pointedly at Mom. “A little help here, Margie?”

  “But—”

  “I am normal when I’m here.” I caught his gaze, biting down on my lip so hard it hurt. He wasn’t sending them away. This wasn’t good. Wasn’t good at all. “Back home I follow all your rules, even though it kills me to be so freaking sheltered. Out here, you need to follow mine. You promised I could be normal here.”

  His tough façade cracked. “Carrie…”

  “Please?” I curled my hands into fists, not dropping my gaze. “Daddy?”

  Yep. I pulled out the big guns. Worked every time.

  “Hugh…” Mom grabbed his elbow, holding on tight. “They can take our bags home, dear. It’ll be fine. Plus, it’ll be nice with just the three of us.”

  Dad released a breath and motioned them over. “You can take our bags and head back to the hotel. We’ll be there after dinner.”

  The security man nodded, took our bags, and motioned for his buddy to follow him. He wore the same black suit they always wore, and I tried to picture Finn standing beside them perfectly immobile and serious.

  The image of the Finn I knew didn’t mesh well with the security guard Finn, but I knew that’s what he was. What he did. “Thanks, Dad.”

  “You’re welcome,” he said, his voice gruff.

  Mom grinned, looking back and forth between us. “So, where are we going?” Mom asked, linking her arm with Dad’s.

  I forced myself to pay attention. “There’s a great burger place called Islands. We could—”

  “Burgers?” Mom snorted. “I don’t think so, Carrie.”

  Dad looked down at her. “I hear there’s a great five-star sushi place in town. Let’s go there. Sound good, Carrie?”

  No. I hated sushi, and he knew it. Or at least…he should. Then again, maybe I’d never bothered to mention it to him. But there would be something besides sushi at the restaurant, so I could work with it. “Sure. That sounds great.”

  “What time are your classes tomorrow?” Dad asked.

  I had to think about it for a second. “Nine to four.”

  “Any plans afterward?” Mom asked, her eyes on mine.

  “Nope.”

  Dad stiffened. “Do we have to do this right here, Margie?”

  I looked at both of them, unable to follow whatever the heck was going on right now. I slid into the town car and waited for them both to be seated before answering. “I’d assumed I would be hanging out with you two, since you’re only here until Saturday night.”

  “No hot date?” Mom asked, a smile on her face.

  She wasn’t making any sense. One second she’s asking me to come home and marry a Stapleton, and the next she’s asking me if I have a hot date planned. I blinked at her. “Uh…no? Why?”

  “Well...” Mom smiled even wider, but Dad grew even tenser, if possible. “Your father thinks you’re dating someone and hiding it. And I hope you are. Well, the dating part. Not the hiding, because I want to hear all about him. We all need to have some fun in college before settling down.”

  Ah. So that’s why she was acting all happy to hear about the possibility of me dating someone. She viewed it as a fling or sowing wild oats or something equally untrue. I gripped my knees so tight it hurt, focusing on Dad instead of her. “Why would you think I’m seeing someone?”

  “I have my reasons.” He looked over at me, pinning me against the door without even touching me. “Are you?”

  My heart beat so loudly in my ears I couldn’t hear anything but my own panicked thoughts. “N-No…?”

  Oh my God, did he know? Could he know? Had Finn told him?

  He tilted his head. “Is that a question or an answer?”

  “An answer,” I said, straightening my spine. If I was going to save Finn’s job and keep his father employed through his last few months, then I needed to do better at lying. I tried to ignore my racing pulse. “Of course it’s an answer. What kind of question is that, anyway?”

  “The question of a concerned father.”

  “Well, my concerned father needs to realize I�
�m not a little girl anymore, and he needs to relax.” When he opened his mouth to argue, I shot him a look that probably could have set coals on fire. “And this goes for you, too, Mom. I’ll date who I want, when I want, and I won’t answer to either one of you for it.”

  Mom gasped, covering her mouth. “Carrie, don’t yell at us.”

  I closed my eyes for a second. I hadn’t even raised my voice in the slightest. “I’m not yelling. I’m simply letting you two know that if and when I’m dating a man, I’ll bring him to meet you when I’m good and ready. Not a second before. You flying out here to check on me and try to catch me in a lie isn’t going to hurry me up any. You don’t like that? Then stop trying to dig into something that isn’t your business. Last time I checked, I was a legal adult. I expect to be treated as such.”

  Mom’s eyes went wider, and Dad turned red…then even redder. I never stood up to them like this, so I got the shock they were experiencing—but dude, it felt good. Really, really good. “You listen to me, young lady, you’ll—”

  Mom squeezed his arm, but didn’t look away from me. “Dear? I think this discussion is better ended right here and now. I know that look in her eye all too well. Let it go.”

  “But I—” He broke off and pointed at me. “And she—”

  Mom patted his arm. “I know, Hugh. It’s called growing up. Kids do that.”

  “They don’t talk to their parents like that,” he huffed. “If I’d done that to my father, I wouldn’t have been able to sit straight for a week.”

  The car stopped in front of the restaurant, but none of us moved. “I love you both very much,” I said softly, “but some things have to be done in my time, on my terms. That’s all I’m asking.”

  Dad pressed his lips together, looking as if he wanted nothing more than to shout, but he nodded. “Fine. If you choose the wrong man, I will do everything in my power to send him packing.”

  I had no doubt that Finn was probably the “wrong guy” in Dad’s eyes, but nothing would send Finn running. I was confident in his love for me, and in our love for each other. “You can try.”