Chapter 32: Landlord Wars: Chapter 32

Max

I found Jack loitering in front of the hospital and asked him to drop me off at Franklin Street, since I’d raced to the hospital in a taxi. I had it on good authority my parents had returned home, and I had a few words for them.

I walked into the mansion, where my dad was making his way across the foyer from the kitchen, still wearing a navy tuxedo jacket and black dress slacks.

He shoved the roll he’d been eating in his mouth and held up his hands. “I had nothing to do with it,” he mumbled around the food. He pulled the bread out of his mouth. “Was your mother and Gwenny’s idea. Gwen convinced your mom that you two were still in a relationship and that it was only a matter of time before you got engaged.” He looked sheepish when he said, “Your mom thought moving up the engagement timeline was no big deal.”

“Even if that were true,” I said, my hands balled as I attempted to contain my anger, “what was the purpose of going behind my back and announcing it to the world?”

My father looked momentarily ashamed. “Like I said, wasn’t my idea.”

I threw up my hands. “But you did nothing to stop it! What the fuck is wrong with this family?”

My mother rushed down the spiral staircase in a long silk robe, looking peeved. “Maxwell, the neighbors can hear you.”

This house was a cavernous black hole. There was no way the neighbors could hear me, even if I cared. “What do you think you’re doing, meddling in my life?”

Her mouth parted in shock. “Gwenny assured me moving up the engagement was no big deal.”

“Your Gwenny is a pathological liar. You should cut her from your life.”

She made the last step down the stairs and stood beside my father, her expression showing the first signs of worry. “We’ve known Gwen since you two were children.”

I pinched the bridge of my nose. “Gwen and I have been over for nearly a year. I’m not dating her. I’m in love with Sophia. Sophia was my guest at the ball, and your stunt sent her running.”

My mother looked at my father, who shrugged as though it was news to him.

And right then, the truth struck. This was my fault. I was partially to blame for how this evening had ended. I hadn’t bothered to tell my parents about Sophia. I’d planned to spring it on them at tonight’s public setting, where they wouldn’t dare make a scene. The setting would have served me, and no one else.

I was a selfish asshole.

“Sophia, the plant lady?” my mother said. She pouted. “She cleans up well enough, but underneath it all is a disaster waiting to happen. She’ll embarrass you, Maxwell.”

“Like you did tonight?” I snapped.

My mother blinked and pressed her lips together, darting her gaze away.

“Sophia is the woman I love. Get used to it.” I spun on my heel, prepared to leave, then stopped abruptly and turned back. “I don’t expect you to stop caring about what everyone thinks. You and Dad seem incapable of such emotional maturity. But for once, put your son’s needs ahead of your own, or don’t bother being in my life.”

My mother’s jaw dropped, and she looked truly scared for the first time. “Where are you going?”

“To find my girlfriend and hope she’ll take me back.”