Starry Eyes(91)

“What in the world are you talking about?” Mom says. “Dan, what’s going on?”

“I caught him trying to get a hotel room for the two of them,” Dad says.

Mom blinks rapidly. When she opens her mouth, a strangled noise comes out.

“That’s right, he did. And my love life is my business alone,” I tell my dad. “You took my best friend away from me. You ruined both of our lives just to keep your dirty little secret.”

A tense silence follows. I can’t believe I just said that. It just . . . came out, and now, as Mom’s eyes narrow quizzically, I wish like anything I could take it back. I glance around to see if anyone at the campground can hear us arguing; no one seems to be paying attention but Avani, who looks as if she can’t decide whether she should stay or go.

“Zorie,” Mom says evenly. “What dirty little secret?”

“Nothing.” I can’t look at my dad. Why did I open my mouth?

“Zorie,” Mom repeats, this time more firmly.

“Lennon was at the hotel because it was homecoming,” I tell her, tears sliding down my cheeks. “Dad was at the hotel because . . . he was seeing another woman.”

My mom stares at me and then calmly turns to my dad. “Was this Molly?”

He nods once, quickly.

“I see,” my mom says.

What?

“That’s it?” I look back and forth in disbelief, at her, then him.

“I know about her,” she says. “We were going through a rough patch. We’re past that now.”

Now it’s my turn to stare with an open mouth. When I finally speak, I sound like an idiot. “How . . . ? When? You knew? You didn’t tell me. You knew?”

My mom glances at Avani, who is still standing nearby, pretending to look at the night sky. “It’s not something I’d like to discuss in public. But yes, your father told me about . . . the other woman. He ended it. We worked through our issues.”

“He cheated on you,” I whisper.

“I’m not discussing this with you now,” she says quietly.

“You didn’t discuss it with me at all!”

“It wasn’t your business,” she says, now angry. Her dark eyes shine with intense emotion. “It was mine. Mine alone. And your father’s.”

“Am I not part of this family?” I ask. “Don’t I deserve to know that my father is a piece of shit?”

“Hey!” my mom says.

“You’re not going to talk to me like that,” Dad says. “Joy’s right. It wasn’t your business.”

Lennon crosses his arms over his chest. “You made it her business when you fucking lied to her.”

My dad points a finger at Lennon and stalks toward him. “You listen to me—”

“No, I won’t,” Lennon says. “You want to punch me? Then do it, old man. I was too stupid to realize it then, but I know now that I didn’t need to be afraid of your threats. We have a camp full of witnesses here. You want to hit a minor? My parents will see you in court.”

“No one is hitting anyone,” my mom shouts, angrily pushing my father back. “This is ridiculous. And everyone’s emotions are out of control, so this is not the time or place to discuss this. The only thing I care about tonight is that Zorie and Lennon are safe. We will go home and talk about the rest of it later.”

“I’m not taking that punk home,” my father says, then peers over my mom’s head to address Lennon, pointing an angry finger in his direction. “You can find your own way. God knows you feel adult enough to trample through the woods with my daughter. Get a taxi, catch a bus, call your own parents. But you’re not riding in my car.”

“Dan,” my mom argues.

“No, it’s fine,” Lennon says, mouth rigid. “I wouldn’t dream of accepting a favor from him. I’ll catch my own ride.”

“We both can,” I agree, clasping Lennon’s hand. “Because I’m not getting in the car with you either, Dad. I’m staying here with Lennon.”

“Like hell you are,” Dad says. “You’re going home with us.”

New plan.

New plan.

New plan.

I can’t think of a new plan! I’m crying, and vaguely aware that half of the campground is now staring at us—and probably some of them are people I know. People I wanted to meet. Sandra Faber! My God, a renowned astronomer could be witnessing all of the ugliness, right along with everyone else in the region who could help me potentially get into Stanford.

But none of it matters now, because my heart is shattering. My family is a sham, and I’m about to lose Lennon again.

“I’ve never hated you more than I do right now,” I tell my father.

Hurt flashes behind his eyes, but instead of talking to me, he points at Lennon. “You did this. I blame you for corrupting my daughter. And guess what, hotshot? Nothing’s changed. You’re not allowed to see Zorie.”

“I don’t take orders from you,” Lennon says.

“You may not, but she does,” he says, nodding toward me. “And if you don’t remember, I’ve got proof of what you did last fall.”

Lennon shrugs. “My parents know about the credit card, and they know about the hotel room. They also know I’m here with Zorie, and you don’t see them flipping out.”