Sweet Water(29)

“Thanks, Mom. I love you too.”

My heart breaks, because I realize I hope more than anything in the world that Finn decides to lie. I don’t want to see him ruin his brilliant life because of a bad decision.

Lord knows I’ve made my fair share.





CHAPTER 8

1996—Freshman Year

“Well, honey, I expected you to let your hair down a little when you got here, but I didn’t think you’d strip down to your skivvies on the very first day.” Dad is in my dorm room delivering the hot plate that I forgot at home, but my face is what’s warm. Hanna explodes into a fit of giggles.

“Ugh . . .” He’s got to be talking about Monday night’s visit to the fence, and I can’t tell if he’s upset with me or not.

“I thought you’d at least make it past syllabus day before you ran around campus naked. That usually doesn’t happen until second semester.”

“I. Um. Am . . .” Speechless.

Hanna was tucked under her bedspread reading, but she’s laughing so hard now that she’s kicked off her sheets and is almost crying.

“Listen here, Hanna Banana, I’m sure Ramona and Gregory wouldn’t exactly be over the moon about you riding shotgun on this little adventure either.” Hanna stops giggling and draws in an enormous breath.

“Riding shotgun? She was driving,” I say and then feel immediately guilty for throwing Hanna under the bus.

“Where do you think streaking through the quad fits into Gregory’s procurement checklist for the best college experience?” Dad’s rubbing the stubble of his beard in a thoughtful way.

Hanna pulls her comforter back on and shrinks beneath it. “Please don’t tell them. I’ll be grounded my entire fall break.”

Dad shoots her a Cheshire Cat grin. “Don’t worry, Hanna. I won’t tell.”

She lets out an audible sigh and releases a handful of bedding.

“Just remember, I work here. When you ladies prance around campus with no clothes on, I’m going to find out about it.”

“Are you mad?” I ask. I’m sitting at my desk, covering half my face with my hand because—how embarrassing.

“No, hell, I’m not mad. The fence is as legendary as this university. Just wanted to let you know, for full disclosure, I have eyes everywhere. And I mean everywhere.”

“Oh crap,” Hanna says.

“That’s right. You don’t have me fooled either, sweetheart. Tight-ass parents make the most rebellious children, and your mother’s sphincter is tighter than the Tupperware container she—”

“Dad! She doesn’t know you. You’re scaring her.” I palm my whole face now, because how can he not know he’s being inappropriate? I’ve tried to teach him over the years. It’s the reason I didn’t ask for playdates when I was in elementary school. The kids never came back.

“I’m just kidding around.” He lets out one of his deep, raspy laughs that would make someone certain he’s a smoker even though he hasn’t touched a cancer stick since Mom passed away. Hanna forces a smile, but the damage is already done. I’m not sure how Dad planned to end his sentence about Hanna’s mother, but any version I imagine can’t be a good one.

“No worries—just be safe out there, ladies. Greek rush is coming up. Stay away from those frat boys; they’re nothing but trouble. Promise me.” He looks right at me.

“Okay,” I manage, then hold my breath. My ears are burning, because it’s the first time I’ve ever lied to my father right to his face.

I feel Hanna shoot me a worried look. I know what she’s thinking. Is the maintenance man going to know about every guy she sleeps with?

Does he know about my date tonight?

Dad gives me a huge hug, which strangely isn’t awkward given his little speech. I’ve lived with his blatant honesty my whole life.

Dad whistles playfully before saying, “That’s all, folks.”

Hanna waves goodbye, then dives under her covers again, practically hemorrhaging the words, “Oh my God, oh my God.”

Shit. I hope she won’t put in for a room transfer. Hanna watches out for me. Not to mention, I suck at making new friends, and I need someone to go to frat parties with. Although there’s only one frat boy I’m interested in seeing again, and he’s picking me up in exactly one hour.

The night after our streak to the fence, Hanna insisted we go to the SAE party. Marty was surprised to see me and wasted no time telling me about a new place he had to show me that’d just opened up on Liberty Avenue. He used words like incredible architecture and a building with an old soul—descriptions that really spoke to me, like the museums Dad used to take me to as a kid. My mother loved museums too—“an opportunity to take in the world’s beauty,” she used to say.

I couldn’t say no when Marty asked me if I wanted to check out the place.

Hanna squeals. “Is your dad going to lose his shit when he finds out about your date? Because you know he will!”

“He made that rule after I already had the date,” I argue.

“So then, it doesn’t count?” Hanna throws a pillow at me.

I catch it and shake my head. “Right. Besides, it would be rude if I canceled now. Less than fifty minutes . . . I need to get ready!” I toss the pillow back.