Rebelonging (Unbelonging, Book 2) Read online

  "So that's what happened?"

  "Hell no. Because by now, my dad's all worked up. He gives us this big lecture on how we don't appreciate how much Loretta's done for us. Then one thing leads to another, and I'm so stupid that I actually give an honest opinion on why Loretta made that stupid gravy in the first place."

  "And what happened then?"

  "Well, before I know it, Loretta takes Josh's plate and crashes it onto the floor, food and all. Then she goes after the serving dishes, the gravy boat, the chicken platter, a couple of wine glasses. It totally sucks, because everyone's freaking out. But part of me's thinking 'So what? At least Josh won't have to eat a bunch of fish barf.'"

  I pushed a hand through my hair. "And in the end, Loretta storms off to her room, and my dad gives us yet another lecture, this one about how we ruined Loretta's favorite holiday."

  "Easter?"

  "Supposedly. But they say that about every holiday, so I dunno. Talk-Like-a-Pirate-Day could be her favorite for all I know. Anyway, after my Dad tells me to get the hell out, Josh is stuck dealing with the fallout."

  I looked down at my lap. "And as far as that gravy? Loretta made another batch, special just for him. And they wouldn't give him anything else to eat until the whole thing was gone. And they wouldn’t him eat anyplace else either."

  I swallowed a lump, and continued. "And I knew it was all my fault. Because if I hadn't said something, it would've ended at dinner, one way or another. Swear to God, I'd have eaten that whole bowl myself if I could, but after I was kicked out, I wasn't allowed inside at all for at least a year."

  "When you left, you couldn’t take him with you?"

  I shook my head. "I didn't have my own place, still don't. Besides, he's a minor. My dad has full custody, so, well, you know how that goes."

  Lawton said nothing, and I glanced in his direction. I took in his clenched jaw, his narrowed eyes. The silence stretched out.

  "It's not like we were abused or anything," I assured him. "Lots of kids have it worse, right?" I tried to smile. "And at least Grandma lives next door. So Josh spends a lot of time at her place."

  Lawton's voice sounded carefully controlled. "How much time is that?"

  "Well, pretty much all of it actually, except for when he's sleeping, or when Grandma's out of town."

  "On that Easter," he said, "was your Grandma there, too?"

  "No. She's my mom's mom, which puts her way down on Loretta's guest list."

  "But they're neighbors?"

  "Sort of. Grandma rents Loretta's guest cottage."

  "So renting the cottage is okay, but coming to dinner isn't?"

  "It's complicated," I said. "The cottage is nice, but it's not a real rental. It's got no driveway of its own, and besides, their neighborhood isn't zoned for that sort of thing."

  "So it's all done on the sly. That's what you're saying?"

  "Yeah. Grandma can't drive anyway, so there's no car. And since she's a relative, the neighbors think she's just a guest."

  "But she's paying?"

  "Yeah. All cash, so there's no zoning trouble."

  "You ever think of renting the cottage for yourself?" he asked.

  "I tried. But Loretta wouldn't let me. She still won't let me stay overnight there, even as Grandma's guest."

  "Why not?"

  "Because," I said in a mocking tone, "I need to learn real responsibility." I looked out the window. "Just as well. I work most nights anyway. But Grandma, she's works from home, so–"

  "Are we talking about that job that isn't real?"

  "Oh," I said. "Yeah. I guess I did mention that huh?" I nodded. "Yup. That's the one."

  I glanced up, surprised to realize we were almost there. I reached out, putting my hand on his arm. "Lawton, no matter what she does, don't set her off, alright? She'll probably be pissy about what you're wearing. But that's okay, because it'll keep the focus off Josh."

  I looked over at him. For all my vows to make Lawton pay, it suddenly occurred to me that this was an awful lot to ask of anyone, even him. "I'm sorry," I said. "You don't mind, do you?"

  "Nope," he said. "This'll be fun."

  "I'm serious," I said. "She's a total psycho."

  "Yeah?" He gave me a crooked grin. "Haven't you heard? I am too."

  Chapter 58

  We squealed into the driveway with one minute to spare. Glancing at the house, I caught movement in the front window.

  Josh.

  "C'mon," I said, shoving open my car door. Salad in hand, I jumped out and watched as Lawton circled the car and retrieved the two desserts from the back.

  By the time we reached the front door, it was already open. Josh stood just inside the doorway, his hand on the doorknob and his gaze troubled.

  "You made it," he said, stepping outside and shutting the door behind him.

  For his sake, I summoned up a smile. "Told you I would."

  Josh glanced briefly over his shoulder, and then lowered his voice. "She was just about to lock you out."

  He didn't need to say who she was.

  For Josh's sake, I kept the smile in place. "Good thing I found myself a fast driver then." I cleared my throat. "Speaking of which, this is Lawton, my, uh, friend." I turned to Lawton. "This is Josh."

  Lawton held out his free hand. "So you're the genius Chloe's always talking about."

  "Aw, I don’t know about that," Josh said, looking down at his shoes. He wore dark slacks, a white dress shirt, and a grey neck tie with tiny polka dots.

  "You look good," I said.

  Josh looked up. "Thanks. So do you." Absently, he reached up to tug at the knot of his tie. "I wanted to wear jeans." He shrugged. "But you know."

  I did know. And then, as if we were thinking the same thing, we slowly turned to look at Lawton.

  He stood with his legs shoulder-width apart. He had the dessert boxes cradled in one arm, and the other arm loose at his side. But even relaxed, the muscles and tattoos of his bare arms were hard to ignore, not to mention his greased-stained white T-shirt.

  But Josh wasn't looking at Lawton's shirt, or his tattoos. He was looking down at Lawton's jeans, taking in the shredded fabric and grease stains.

  Josh blew out a low whistle. "She's gonna totally chew you up," he said.

  "Who?" Lawton said.

  Behind Josh, the door swung open so fast and hard, it hit the doorstopper with that weird, clangy noise I knew so well.

  "Her," I muttered under my breath.

  Loretta gave me a cold, withering look. "You think I can't hear you?"

  Oh crap. Time to shape up fast, starting with an apology.

  But before I had the chance, her cool gaze swept to Lawton. She gave him a long, disapproving look, taking her time as if cataloging everything, from his tousled hair to his tattered jeans.

  Her lips pursed.

  In spite of my nervousness, or maybe because of it, I wanted to laugh. Loretta prided herself on impeccable manners, at least in front of strangers – except, I knew, when the stranger in question was deemed beneath her notice.

  Her opinion of Lawton was pretty obvious. She already had him categorized somewhere between the guy who mowed her lawn and the panhandlers she was always complaining about.

  She leaned around him to look at the driveway. "Who are you?" she said. "The tow truck driver?"

  Loretta knew damn well that Lawton wasn't a tow truck driver. For one thing, there was no tow truck, a dead giveaway in my book.

  But there was his car. I followed her gaze and tried to see it like she'd see it – an ancient muscle car with chipped paint and ugly dents.

  I cleared my throat. "Loretta," I said, "I'd like you to meet Lawton. My friend, and uh, my ride."

  "I see." She pursed her lips. "Lorton, is it?"

  "Close enough," Lawton said, holding out his hand.

  Loretta looked down at the hand, but didn't take it. "Are you some kind of mechanic?" she said.

  Lawton grinned. "You could say that." With a shrug, he put do
wn his hand. "Just part-time though. You know how it is."

  "No," she said with a little sniff. "I'm afraid I don't." She glanced again toward the driveway. "I assume you're also providing our Chloe with a ride home?"

  Lawton grinned. "Definitely."

  Loretta consulted her watch. "Fine. But don't be later than two o'clock." She turned to me. "Will you be waiting for him in the driveway? Or shall he knock on the door?"

  "Actually," I said, "he's my guest. You said I could bring one?"

  Just then, Lauren Jane's face appeared behind Loretta's shoulder. "Oh my God," she said. "Is that–? Are you?" She turned toward me. "Is that Lawton Rastor?"

  Loretta whirled around to face her daughter. Standing outside, I heard her voice, hushed and urgent as she asked, "Who's Lawton Rastor?"

  Chapter 59

  Ten minutes later, we were all settled around the long, oval table, with my dad at the head and Loretta at the foot.

  With a smooth, practiced move, Loretta settled the cloth napkin onto her lap and gave me her sweetest smile. "We're all so glad you could make it, Chloe."

  With a tittering laugh, she looked around the table and added, "We were just about to send out the cavalry." She gave my dad a significant look. "Weren't we, Dick?"

  Nodding, my dad pulled out the booming voice he used only in front of company. "Anything for our little Chloe," he said. "It sure wouldn't be a family dinner without her."

  Resisting an eye-roll of epic proportions, I glanced at Lawton across the table. Either he had one heck of a poker face, or he didn't see the humor.

  He'd been seated between Josh and Lauren Jane. Josh was looking at Lawton with undisguised awe. Lauren Jane was all teeth and eyes, studying Lawton like a wolf studies a mutton chop.

  Lauren Jane reached over and ran a finger along Lawton's forearm. "I like your tattoos," she said. "Do you have more?"

  I wasn't sure whether to laugh or rip Lauren Jane's arm off and beat her over the head with it.

  So instead, I stood. "Who's ready for salad?"

  At Loretta's insistence, we were eating the meal in courses. Salad first. And the way it looked, it was time to get the show on the road.

  My heart racing, I stood and retrieved my salad from the sideboard. The salad plates were already on the table, so all I had to do was pass the bowl around and pray that no one noticed it was already half empty. With a shaky smile, I handed the bowl first to Loretta.

  Her brow wrinkled. "Where's the rest of it?" she asked.

  I bit my lip. "Well, you see, on the way here—"

  "I ate it," Lawton said.

  She turned toward him. "Pardon?"

  "I thought it was a snack." He shrugged. "Sorry."

  Loretta's gaze narrowed. I was still holding the bowl. She looked up at me. "Is that true?"

  "Oh Mom," Lauren Jane said, "of course it's true." She licked her lips. "I mean, just look at this guy." She gave Lawton a long, appreciative look. "You don't get a body like that on cheeseburgers."

  I stifled a laugh.

  "Is something funny?" Loretta said.

  I shook my head. "Nope. Sorry."

  With a little sniff, Loretta started serving herself some salad. She nodded toward my chair. "Sit. Please." She gave me a stiff-looking smile. "We'll just pass the courses around, family style." She looked around. "Now, isn't this nice?"

  "Mmm…it sure is," Lauren Jane said in a low, husky voice.

  I looked over and spotted Lauren Jane's hand wrapped around Lawton's right bicep. The way it looked, she'd caught him in mid-motion of sipping from his wine glass.

  The glass, still poised at his lips, was nearly full. This wasn't good. A few more minutes of this, and he'd be needing the whole bottle.

  Matter of fact, I should've gotten him drunk on the way. Better yet, I should've gotten myself drunk. Lawton was driving, after all.

  Lauren Jane gave the bicep another squeeze. "You must work out like crazy," she told him. "Just how much can you lift, anyway?"

  "Wait," Josh said, "I know this. Three-hundred pounds."

  We all turned to look at him.

  He shrugged. "I read it on the internet."

  "Chloe dear," Loretta said, "Will you be taking your seat any time soon?"

  I looked around the table. Was I still standing there? Oh crap. I was.

  Silently, I returned to my seat. I watched as the salad was handed from person to person around the table. When it got to Lawton, he passed it along without taking any.

  "You don't want any?" Josh said.

  "Nah. I'm good," Lawton said. "Since I already ate half on the way." He made a show of lowering his voice. "Don't tell anyone, but there was also this chocolate cake."

  Josh's eyes widened. "Seriously?"

  "Yeah," Lawton said. "And a side of beef, couple of hams." He shrugged. "A pie. A dozen donuts. After that, I lost track."

  "Oh, you," Lauren Jane said with a playful pat on his arm. "Stop teasing that boy. He'll believe anything."

  "No I won't," Josh said.

  "Josh," Loretta said, "don't sass your sister. It's not polite."

  Josh looked to his plate. "Sorry."

  Lawton leaned over and said something in Josh's ear. Josh grinned.

  Loretta cleared her throat. "Lawton? Care to share with the rest of us?"

  "You mean salad?" Lawton glanced down at his empty plate. "Sorry, I didn't take any." He turned to Lauren Jane. "How about you? Got any spare salad for your mom?"

  Frowning, Lauren Jane looked down at her salad plate. She gave it a worried look. "There's not that much here," she said.

  Loretta pursed her lips. "That's not necessary. I wasn't referring to—" She made a little huffing sound. "Oh, never mind."

  When the salad reached me, I took two small pieces of lettuce. Then I stood to return the bowl to the sideboard, located just behind Lawton. On the sideboard were silver platters covered with big, domed silver lids.

  Loretta thought it looked upscale. Personally, I thought it looked like room service for twelve.

  But I'd gotten almost used to it. Just like dressing for dinner, Loretta liked things a certain way. If things weren't always so tense, it might've actually been fun. But it was tense, and fun was a word I never associated with this house.

  Walking back toward the table, I looked down and spotted Lauren Jane's bare knee rubbing against Lawton's leg. Either Lawton didn't notice, or he was choosing not to react.

  I had a reaction, alright, but nothing I could act on. If sassing was rude, stabbing Lauren Jane in the leg with my fork was definitely off-limits.

  So, with a stupid smile plastered to my face, I returned to my seat and glanced in Lawton's direction. With his muscles, tattoos, and T-shirt, he looked completely out of place, but somehow, it only made him look better, at least to me, anyway.

  As I watched, Lauren Jane nudged her chair closer to his.

  Okay, make that two of us.

  As if feeling my gaze on him, Lawton looked up. Our eyes met. He gave me a smile filled with secrets and just the tiniest hint of amusement. He was laughing at them. Did they realize that? I looked around.

  Apparently not.

  "So I hear you're some kind of fighter," my dad boomed at Lawton.

  Lawton turned to give my dad a deadpan look. "Yup."

  My dad's smile faltered. "You're not gonna try any of those fancy punches on me now, are you?"

  "Nope." Lawton smiled. "At least not 'til dessert."

  My dad's eyebrows furrowed, and then he laughed, a big booming sound that rang hollow in the formal dining room. "Hah!" He pointed at Lawton with both his index fingers. "You got me there."

  Lauren Jane giggled and leaned in close to Lawton's ear. "You're so funny," she said. She turned to my dad. "You'd better watch it, Daddy, or he's gonna get you."

  Daddy?

  Lauren Jane flipped her hair over her shoulder. "Speaking of funny things," she told Lawton, "did you notice that your name begins with an 'L' and my name begins with a
n 'L'?"

  She gave me half a glance across the table. "Sorry, Chloe, I guess you're not in the club."

  "Uh-oh," my dad said in mock concern, "My gal's name begins with an 'L', too." With a big chuckle, he shook his index finger in warning. "But you don't be stealing my Loretta."

  I glanced at Loretta. She was giving Lawton a speculative look, like my dad's comment had gotten her thinking.

  I jumped up. "Want me to get the turkey?"

  Loretta's cool gaze slid in my direction. "Are you the hostess?" she asked.

  Oh crap. There it was. That look again.

  "No," I said. "But I'm happy to help." I paused. "Unless you'd rather do it?"

  With a little sigh, Loretta pushed back her chair and stood. "So much for a relaxing dinner," she said. "Chloe, will you please sit? You're making everyone nervous."

  So I sat. And with a solemn air, Loretta started delivering platters to the table, lifting the silver lids to murmurs of appreciation, mostly from my dad, as she announced what each dish was. There was baked turkey and stuffing and mashed potatoes, along with dinner rolls, whipped butter, and homemade cranberry sauce.

  The mashed potatoes were making me nervous. I knew we'd probably have them. Almost everyone had mashed potatoes for Thanksgiving, especially with the turkey. So we'd be having turkey gravy, right? But as each dish was revealed, and no turkey gravy had been presented, I started to get that sick feeling in my stomach.

  She wouldn't do it. Not again. Would she?

  And then she brought over the final platter, a small one with a tall silver lid. With a great flourish, she lifted the lid. My hands grew clammy. There it was, a small silver gravy boat filled to the rim.

  I couldn’t afford to be obvious, but I was desperate to know what it was.

  But soon, I didn't have to guess, because with a thin smile, Loretta announced, "and finally, my very own holiday specialty, oyster gravy."

  Shit.

  Chapter 60

  I glanced at Josh. His face was deathly white as he looked down at his plate. Next to him, Lawton looked completely oblivious as he listened to Lauren Jane chatter about her latest trip to Cancun.