The Perfect First (Fulton U, #1)(59)

The tightness in her shoulders relaxed and her lips parted.

“Persephone, who is it?” A loud voice came from behind her then the door opened fully.

Her back went straight and she sucked in a sharp breath. She darted a look over her shoulder, and her jaw tightened.

“Dad, this is Reece.” Her words were tight and brittle like they might crack at any moment. “The friend I invited to dinner.”

“I thought you said he couldn’t make it in time.”

“His plans changed.” Each of her words was like a carefully plotted course. She stepped back into the house, her father backing up, giving me enough room to enter.

I stepped inside the townhouse’s dark brown door. Some of the food was already out on the table. I glanced at Seph.

Her head dipped. “Sorry, when the game went into overtime, I knew you’d be late. I didn’t want you to rush to get here.” Her hands were clasped in front of her.

“We value punctuality greatly in this family.” Her dad stood behind Seph like four hundred pound linebacker out for blood.

“I apologize for my lateness.” I stepped forward and extended my hand. “I’m Reece Michaels. I had a game that ran late.”

He stared down at my hand like I’d offered him an old shoe before begrudgingly shaking it. “Dr. Alexander. So you’re an athlete?”

“I’m a football player.”

I hadn’t thought the deep set of his frown could get any lower, but it did then. He looked like one of the grumpy Muppets from the balcony.

“I see.”

A door swung open and a woman came through the doorway between the living room and the dining room. She was an older version of Seph.

“You must be Reece. It’s so nice to meet you.” She held out her hand and shook mine. “I’m Helen.”

“Nice to meet you, Helen.”

“Let me get your coat.”

I unbuttoned it and handed it over to her. She stashed it in the closet beside the front door. The entire time, Seph stood there with her hands clasped in front of her like she was a cadet in etiquette school.

Her father spun on his heels and disappeared from the room.

Only then did Seph reanimate, lifting her head and looking at me.

“The next course is almost ready. I can put some of it on your plate, if you’d like.” Her mom wiped her hands on the spotless apron wrapped around her waist.

“I’m sure there’s more than enough food coming. It smells wonderful.”

Helen’s cheeks pinked up and she nodded, heading back into the kitchen.

I took Seph’s hand and threaded my fingers through hers, the soft warmth of her hand melting the winter chill I’d felt being away from her for the past few days. “What’s up with you? Are you okay?” I needed to soak up as much of her as I could, but she was so jumpy.

Her gaze darted to the open doorway. “I want to apologize in advance.” She nibbled on her bottom lip.

“Stop, or you won’t have any left.” I smoothed my thumb across her lip. “I’ll be fine. How bad can it get?”

“Persephone,” her dad called from the other room. Her entire body went rigid and she squeezed my hand before relaxing.

“You’re right. Let’s get in there.”

We sat at the table, and the ticking hands of the clock made the only sounds other than silverware clinking against plates. Every sound was amplified by the fact that no one spoke. Each wipe of my mouth with the cloth napkin on my lap sounded like I was shattering glass against the wall.

Even I jumped at the shrill ping of someone’s phone. Everyone stopped.

Her dad picked up his phone and shoved back his chair. “I need to take this.”

“Arthur…” Her mom glanced to me, her dad shot her a look, and she clammed up. What the hell is going on? As he left the room, it felt like the air flowed back in.

Seph and her mom were no longer as careful with every movement and every word. A sinking pit formed in my stomach as the pieces of what was going on fell into place. I wanted to be wrong. Please let me be wrong, because if I’m right, I’m not going to be able to stop myself from kicking Dr. Alexander’s ass.

“Reece, tell me more about yourself.” Her mom leaned forward.

“I’m a senior and a football player.”

“He’s entering the draft. He’ll be a professional player, and he’s been instrumental in getting our team to the championship.” Seph’s pride made my heart swell. She wasn’t embarrassed by me. She was proud of me, and I didn’t take that lightly.

“There are other people on the team too. It’s a group effort. Everyone’s worked really hard to get us to this point.”

“That’s wonderful that you’re all doing so well.”

My phone vibrated in my pocket. I took it out to silence it.

“Who is it?” Seph leaned over.

“It’s my dad.” I moved to turn off the ringer.

“Please take the call. It’s your dad and it’s Thanksgiving. I’m sure he wants to make sure you’re okay.” Helen shooed me from the table.

I smiled at her and got up from my chair, walking into the living room.

“Hey, Dad. What’s up?”

“How are you?” It was the question he asked after every game. He’d know if he watched even one.