Raging Hard(14)

“Not yet, Jonathan. There’s only one thing of yours that I want to eat.”

My eyes widened and I felt a thrill run through me.

“What’s that?” Dad asked, confused.

“This delicious lobster. It’s absolutely incredible,” Nate replied. He cracked the tail loudly.

Dad nodded. “It sure is. I will tell the cook you enjoyed it.”

I let out a breath and took another bite to eat. I couldn’t believe he was pushing so hard. My dad could be totally oblivious sometimes, but there were limits to what he could get away with. The prick was going to say something too crazy and get himself kicked out.

Then again, maybe that wouldn’t be so bad.

We began to eat in silence, and I noticed Lucille hadn’t said much. She was busy working on a Bloody Mary and looking out at the ocean, barely pretending to care about the people in front of her. I could see where Nathan got his wonderful manners from.

“Nathan,” Dad said suddenly, “you’re a Navy man.”

“That’s right.”

“How would you like to come out on my yacht?”

Nathan smiled sweetly. “I would love nothing more.”

I wanted to gag.

“Wonderful. Claire, dear, why don’t you join us?”

“I don’t know, Dad. I’m not a huge fan of the open ocean.”

“Are you sure?” Nathan asked. “There’s nothing more exciting. I could teach you a thing or two out there.”

“Yes, that would be wonderful, Nathan. You should absolutely teach my daughter some nautical tricks of the trade.”

He nodded. “I can teach her some knots, how to properly tie up. I won’t get you too wet, I promise.”

I blushed again, clenching my jaw. “No, thanks, Nathan. I think I’d rather drown myself in the tub instead.”

“Claire!” Dad snapped, his eyes narrowing. “What’s the matter with you?”

“It’s okay, Jonathan. She must still be annoyed from getting her nap interrupted.”

Dad sighed and shook his head. “Women can be so moody sometimes.”

I wanted to smack both of them. Dad was such a boring, stuck-up, old-school sexist, and Nate was clearly just playing along to annoy me.

“That’s enough, boys,” Lucille cut in suddenly. “No need to gang up on poor Claire.”

I started to eat again, eager for the conversation to move on.

“Speaking of that,” Lucille went on. “What are your plans for this summer, Nathan?”

“I’m on leave, Mother. I plan on relaxing until my next deployment.”

She nodded, sipping her drink. “I was hoping you’d maybe get a job, do something a little less . . . barbaric.”

I could feel Nate tense beside me.

“I have a job. It’s protecting ungrateful civilians like you.”

“Nathan, your mother is just looking out for you. I have plenty of businesses that you could work at, if you wanted to make an extra buck,” Dad cut in, trying to placate the situation.

“Oh, he certainly needs an extra buck,” Lucille continued. “The Army doesn’t exactly pay much, does it, Nate?”

“The Navy,” he said through clenched teeth, “pays just fine.”

“Oh, maybe, but you’re always traveling, running around the world shooting your guns like wild men. Why don’t you give something more respectable a shot, Nathan?”

I thought, for just a second, that Nathan was going to throw something at her. I saw a twitch in his face, but suddenly he took a deep breath and composed himself. I guessed that was his military discipline taking over.

“No, thank you, Lucille.” He pushed his chair out and stood up. “My job is enough for me.” Without another word, he turned and walked away from the house, down toward the beach.

I watched him disappear for a moment as an awkward silence descended on the table. His strong body walked calmly and confidently toward the beach. He kicked off his shoes and continued on, following the water line, out of sight.

“Well,” Lucille said, “that was awkward.”

Dad looked at me. “Claire, honey, why don’t you take him out on the boat tomorrow?”

I sighed. “Why would I do that, Dad?”

“Because I want him to feel welcome, and I want you two to become friends. You’re siblings now.”

“Stepsiblings,” I mumbled.

“Is that a yes?”

“I don’t know. He doesn’t seem that interested.”

“He sure seemed interested when I brought it up. Please, honey, I’m asking you nicely.”

I knew I couldn’t say no. Dad did so much for me, and I was his perfect little princess, after all. I couldn’t possibly disappoint him.