Chapter 15: What I Owe

Geoffrey's POV

I had rehearsed a defense for three weeks, and when my grandmother said my name I forgot all of it.

"Yes," I said.

I stood up, because it seemed wrong to say it sitting down.

"Brandon didn't invent that part. I said the sentence that started it, and I said it to hurt him."

"And the bet?" Odette asked.

"I took it. I said 'Fine.' I didn't think it was real."

"When did you find out it was real?"

"In September."

My mother put down her fork.

"Geoffrey," she said quietly. "You've known for a month?"

"Yes. I told him twice to end it. I should have told Miranda the first time."

"Why didn't you?"

It was a fair question, and I had no good answer, so I gave her the true one.

"Because I was afraid she'd look at me the way she's looking at me now."

I made myself turn my head.

Miranda sat at the other side of the table with Candice beside her, and she looked at me.

She didn't look away, and neither did I.

"Is it true you're involved with this girl?" Brandon's mother said, in a high voice.

"Her name is Miranda," I said. "And yes."

"She was your student!"

"She was in my lecture hall for two weeks. I never graded her. It ended Thursday."

"Oh, that is convenient," Brandon said. He was shaking. "That's very convenient, Geoff."

"It isn't convenient," I said. "It's a fact. You can post it if you like."

Odette set down her cake knife with a small click.

"Geoffrey, give me your keys."

I took the Mustang keys out of my coat and walked them to the head of the table.

She held out her palm, and I put them there.

"Your grandfather left that car to you to keep," she said. "He thought it would be safe with the one of you who didn't want it."

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