“Well—” he starts but stops as I pivot back to the fridge, looking for more. I find some spinach and cheese to add to my ingredient pile. I throw some olive oil in the frying pan and turn on the burner before turning back to face my father.

“Well,” he starts again. “So, I’m not actually going to make it to Tim’s barbecue today. Hopefully I can make it to the next one.”

I feel my lips flop open.

“But he says to just wait along the left side of the house when you get there, and at two, someone will come take you around back when they’re ready for you.” He picks his cell back up. “I’m forwarding you the address now.” Gladys buzzes in my pocket.

I stare at him. The oil sizzles behind me.

My dad, who set this up for Jamie, can’t come. Who went out of his way to watch Jamie perform. That dad is now going to bail the one time he might get to see me do anything.

“Why can’t you come?” I ask. I grab the whipped eggs, pivot, drop them into the skillet, and pivot back to him.

“I’m sorry, kiddo, you know how it is. I have a thing.”

I stick my hands in my pockets, wrapping my fists around the material in there. “A work thing or a lady thing?”

He grins. “A both thing.”

I try to plaster on a smile, but I know I’m grimacing as I bob my head. Anger is pulsing over my skin. I spin around again, adding the ingredients to my omelet a little too late. “Because you’re a greedy, selfish, jerk-and-a-half abandoner,” I mumble accusingly to the skillet as I work the eggs with a spatula.

“Say that again?” Dad says behind me. I freeze, staring at the food.

No … I didn’t say that loud enough for him to hear me over the eggs.

“Nothing,” I say. I make myself unfreeze and move the eggs around.

Dad walks around the island, stopping right next to me. I keep staring down at the eggs, mushing them around with the spatula so they’re no longer an omelet, just a blob of scrambled nothing.

“Did someone call me that to you?” he asks. “Have you been in touch with your mother?”

All the levity has drained from his voice. I look up at him, my eyes wide, and shake my head.

“I’ve told you how manipulative that woman is. She’s already trying to turn you against me. You know I’m always here for you. I’m the one who’s been supporting you for the last fourteen years. Caring for you, housing you, providing for you. I love you. Don’t let that bitch—”

I flinch like he hit me.

“Sorry.” He closes his eyes. “Don’t let that woman get to you.”