not going to make for a fun family night. Arlo is my insurance policy because although he knows about Ellen, having an extra person there will help keep my thoughts in line and focused and away from questions about my past and mother.
“I heard Ian asked you out,” Arlo says. “And that you shot him down.”
“I don’t date,” Rose says, shaking her head.
“Sure, but does that mean you can’t hang out and get to know him?”
“Sex isn’t about attachments. Sex is about sex.”
Arlo turns, glancing at Rose. “You never hang out with people you sleep with?”
“Never.”
“And you never sleep with the same person twice?”
“Nope.”
“Are you ever worried you’ll invite a crazy person into your house who could hurt or rob you?”
“Are you judging me? Because I know all about cleat chasers. I’ve even met Candace Barlow, Paxton Lawson’s girlfriend, and she is straight-up cray cray. I’ve seen her start fights over people wearing the same shirt as her. Plus, I don’t go out to bars looking for guys to sleep with. I usually meet them at school and explain my rules, and if they’re interested, we sleep together.”
She makes it all seem so clinical. Like feelings and emotions aren’t even considered or formed. I know this isn’t entirely true and also why she refuses to sleep with someone twice—she cuts off any emotions before they can grow memories.
I can sense Arlo wanting to ask more questions that are guaranteed to backfire, so I break my vow of silence. “Ross started to play the trumpet,” I blurt out randomly. “So we all might be leaving tonight with migraines. We might need to get Rose a bag of Dick’s.”
Arlo’s gaze darts to the rearview mirror again, and though I can’t see his lips, I can tell he’s smiling.
“Welcome to Chateaux Harris,” Rose says as we pull into the driveway that Arlo’s GPS has narrated.
I’m sure Arlo thinks I’ve lied about my subtle upbringing as he eyes my dad and Whitney’s house. I still remember pulling up to it four years ago with my suitcases and realizing this was my new ‘full-time home.’ The house is a craftsman style with two stories and a full daylight basement, the inside all clean lines and minimal everything—which is the exact opposite of the apartment I grew up in.
Granted, with all the people Arlo knows here, this probably isn’t page-turning. With so many tech giants and software giants around this region, there are plenty of houses that dwarf this one.
We head up the short driveway with me pointing out the two slight steps that I’ve tripped on at least a hundred times and ring the doorbell.
Dad answers with his phone at his ear, wearing his readers. He leans in to kiss my cheek. “Olive Oyl, what happened? You’re on time. Are the dogs from hell chasing you? Oh, and you got me flowers,” he teases, pretending like he’s going to reach for the bouquet I picked up for Whitney before he hugs me. “Arlo. Rose,” he says, the hint of surprise in his voice audible.
“Are you talking to someone?” I ask.
He waves a hand, his eyes closing with nonchalance. “The insurance company. He’s looking something up for me.” He leans around me to hug Rose, then shakes Arlo’s hand. “Arlo, good to see you off the field.”
“You have a beautiful home, Coach.”
Dad nods, his gaze slicing to me like I’ve somehow put him on the spot. He has no idea.
“Birthday dinner. I’m pretty sure you’re supposed to be cooking.” I shoo him away from the door as Ross walks into the room, his trumpet raised high as he blows into it, making an offensive and loud noise that sounds nothing like music.
“Ross!” Dad yells.
Ross turns his gaze toward us, his cheeks puffing with a new blast of air, then he notices Arlo and stops. “You’re Arlo Kostas. In. My. House.”
I pat Arlo’s shoulder. “Sorry to make you the sacrificial lamb and all,” I say quietly.
Arlo grins. “What’s up, Ross?”
“You know my name?” Ross’s eyes grow wide as his trumpet falls to his side. “I have your autograph upstairs. You want to see it?”
“Maybe later,” I say. “Where’s your mom?”
“In the kitchen, cooking.”
I glare at Dad. “That’s your job today.”
“I tried. She said she wanted to.”
Dad leads us to the kitchen, which was redone last year. Heritage white cabinets and long slabs of sleek marble countertops and so many lights the room never feels dreary. Even before they remodeled, this was my favorite room in the house.