14. Chapter 14

The only thing I want more in life is to sleep in on a Saturday and hang out with Spence. I feel like I haven't seen him in ages, and I miss my bestie. I've been the world's worst friend, yet he still won't make the first move. He'll make me come crawling to him because, let's face it, it's all my fault for ignoring him. I haven't even watched one of his streams in a week. Some supportive friend.

I haven't said much since last night, and the guys never asked about the meeting. Honestly, I'm glad. If they knew what Cam's grandfather is like, they probably would lose their shit all over again. And you can't touch legacy status here. I'm trying to figure out how to tell Dad about my little unwanted friend, and luckily for us, Serena wants us to show up early for dinner. So now I'm stuck in the back seat of Maddox's Impala heading into Grovedale.

I can already tell how this supper is going to go. Serena will act all holy for the first hour, but as soon as the food hits the table, she'll start in on everyone. She'll complain about how we don't love her or that nobody has time for her. She is like a broken record.

I hate coming back to this house.

"How long do you think it'll take Mom to blow her top?" Ashton laughs from the seat next to me.

"With how Jinx talked to her last time, not very long. I'm just curious why she wanted us to show up early," Atticus replies.

Maddox just shakes his head but continues to drive. I stay quiet, too, because the twins are right. We won't hear quiet once we step foot into that house again. I stare out the car window, watching the trees pass by. I used to enjoy watching the scenery pass by, but now it's like watching time slowly drift away. Sooner or later, everything we know will just disappear.

The street I grew up on hasn't changed at all. Every house has a pristine lawn, and brick pillars stand on either side of the driveway. The only thing that makes Dad's house stand out is the little flower bed he planted in the front. The HOA had a huge hissy fit over it, but in the end, Dad won.

Maddox pulls into the driveway and my heart races. Dinner, and then we can leave. I'm not staying here longer than we have, too. I'll eat, tell Dad what I need, and try to ignore all the rude comments that are gonna spill from Serena's fat, fake lips.

"Are you ready because it's going to be a long-ass night?" Maddox asks, putting the car into park.

"Yeah, let's get this over with." Ashton opens the door, stepping out first.

I wait until the guys exit before leaving, trying to find my nerves, but I think I left them under my pillow.

"Move it, Odette." Atticus holds my door open.

I shoot him a glare. "Don't use my full name." I shove him aside and storm to the front door. I reach for the door handle and freeze.

"You got this, baby. One deep breath." Maddox cradles his hand around mine, pressing his chest against my back. I feel him take a deep breath in, and I mimic him. "Ready?"

"No."

"Perfect, let's go." He pushes the door open, and we're greeted with the scent of roast turkey.

Maddox groans beside me, and I know I lost him to a meal. Who cooks a turkey for a small get-together? The further we step into the house, the more things unfold. The living room has guests I've never seen before. I turn to Ashton, and his eyebrows snap together as he shrugs.

"Mother, what the fuck is all this?" Atticus doesn't hold back. You can always leave it to him to find some answers.

Serena dramatically places her hand on her chest. With a loud inhale. "Atticus Banks, you shall not speak like that in front of our guests. Show some manners."

"Show some respect," I mumble under my breath.

Serena's head quickly snaps in my direction, reminding me of a creepy doll. "Watch your mouth, you ungrateful child." Her lip curls in a snarl, and I secretly wish it would stay like that.

Maddox grips my shoulder, steering me into the kitchen before I can say anything back. It was a wise choice because what I have to say probably wouldn't end in either of our favor. And I promised Dad I would be on my best behavior.

"You have to calm yourself, baby. You can't anger the beast all the time."

"I can if she's being a cuntwaffle, Maddox. She does it purposefully, and I'll bring her down one day."

I felt his arms slide around my waist and chin resting on my head—I hate being short sometimes.

"The ill wishes of others can be the downfall of the empire. Be careful."

I tilt my head back, forcing him to move his head until I feel his lips next to mine. "Such wise words," I say quietly. His hand wraps around my hair, holding me still as he presses his lips to mine. An upside-down kiss is my new favorite thing in the world.

"That's enough, kids. Break it up," Dad grumbles. "There are some things a father doesn"t want to see, and I'm not ready for this."

Maddox smiles against my lips before standing me up. "Behave, or I'll reenact my teenage fantasy later," he whispers before walking away.

I let out a nervous laugh before turning to Dad. "What's up with all the people out there?" I point to the living room.

He waves me off. "She's joining something, I can't recall. It doesn't matter what I say. Serena will do what she wants."

"That isn't fair to you, Dad. Why are you still with her?" I watch as he preps the vegetables, and his face falls.

"I don't want to live the rest of my life alone. And if I have to keep what little company I can, I will."

I can feel my heart drop to my feet. This entire time, Dad could have found someone he cared for instead of settling for what he thought he deserved. Hearing Serena's banshee laugh from the next room makes my skin crawl. Knowing what she's doing to my dad is making me go insane.

"Pumpkin. What's going on in that brain of yours?"

"Nothing, don't worry about me."

He narrows his eyes but continues to cut his vegetables. At least I didn't say I was fine, and if I weren't such a coward, this would've been the perfect chance to tell him about my little stalker problem. But every time I want to say it, my throat dries up.

It's also weird that I haven't heard from Unknown. He's usually up my butt, maybe he's found another victim—wishful thinking.

"And if you follow me, my amazing husband is cooking us dinner," Serena's voice grows louder.

The hairs on my neck slowly stand when Roan walks in last. The dickhole from the meeting. Why didn't Dad mention that he was entertaining a legacy asshole? Roan's mouth jerks into a grin as he walks past me, never looking at me.

"Find a seat around the table; don't be scared who you sit by," Serena continues to talk.

The table quickly fills, and I watch everyone sit, leaving one seat open. Atticus grips the back of the empty chair, waiting for me. It's not him I'm worried about. Taking my time, I move toward the table and pull the chair out. My shoulder brushes his when I sit, and my body stiffens.

"What's the matter, Odette? Still pissed about yesterday?"

I tilt my head and meet his eyes. "No, Roan. Because in the end I won. You can throw around all the power in the world, but it doesn't mean dickshit in the end."

Atticus leans in, keeping his voice low, "What's this about?"

"Cameron."

Ashton and Maddox both glare at me from across the table. I almost feel guilty for not telling them about the meeting. Then again, they didn't ask for details. Before they can bitch me out, Dad saves me.

"Turkey is ready. Make room." He set down the platter, and my stomach rumbled.

"Hungry, Odette?" Roan nudges me.

If he touches me again, my fork will go through his hand. How the hell does he and Serena know each other? I risk a glance at Serena, and she leans back in her seat, tilts her head, and shoots me a smirk on her overly lined lips.

"Ashton, hunny, why don't you carve the turkey?" she says without looking away from me.

Ashton groans but stands. "Yeah, I guess. Prescott, if you don't mind."

"Not at all. My old hands could use a break, son." Dad passed him the knife, and Serena's mouth carries a vile smile.

I've never trusted her, but ever since I told her she's a poor bitch I can't trust her at all. She's planning something, but what is the question? And I have no way of proving anything, especially being at school all the time. I have no one here who can check on Dad all the time. I definitely can't ask Roan; he's conspiring something with the bitch, too—I know it.

I scan the rest of the guests, and none seem familiar, but I can't trust them if they are friends of Serena's. Too many snakes are at this table, and my dad is the poor rat about to be eaten.

"I have a question," Atticus speaks up.

"Of course, my dear." Serena smiles at him.

Atticus chuckles. "Who the fuck are all these people crashing our family dinner?"

Ashton snickers under his breath as he finishes carving. "Yeah. Mom. I was hoping for a peaceful dinner of Jinx, bitching you out again."

I bite my lip, holding back a laugh.

"You watch your mouth. This is still my house, and I won't tolerate disrespect in front of my guests," she hissed darkly.

"My dad's house, actually." I remind her. I caught her fingers twitching over her knife. "Remember, you get nothing if he dies. You become the poor broke bitch you were before."

Her fingers wrap around the handle.