Chapter 21 #3
After a few seconds of stunned silence, Mr. Fisher dismisses me with a wave of his hand, turning back to Fisher. “She’s lying, making up ridiculous stories. No son of mine would pander to his wife like that.”
“Don’t speak to her like that,” Fisher says, sounding so convincing I almost believe him for a moment. Until he adds, “It’s my honor to treat her like the goddess she is. You’re being offensive.”
“I’m done with your jokes.” Mr. Fisher’s controlled expression falters for a split second as he looks at Noah and Penn.
“Actually, we all do it,” Noah interrupts as he gets down on his knees in front of Ally and bows his head.
Ally nods her acceptance and places her hand on his head. It’s shaking slightly from how hard she’s working to hold back her laughter. “You may begin the morning ritual.”
“Already on it.” Fisher jumps up and runs to open a cupboard and takes out a box of candles. He and Noah begin arranging them in a circle on the floor, lighting them as they go, like they’ve done this a million times.
Fisher’s dad rubs at his temples with his thumb and forefinger.
“It’s time for us to worship at the altar of the goddesses,” Penn explains. Then he looks at Fisher’s mom and winks. “My girlfriend is working this morning so she’s not here, but you’re more than welcome to be my stand-in goddess.”
“I beg your finest pardon,” Mrs. Fisher says with a scandalized gasp…but there’s no mistaking the blush on her cheeks.
“I can’t take any more of this,” Mr. Fisher seethes, losing control of his temper. If the vein in his forehead looked like it was going to pop before, right now it looks like it’s about to erupt like a volcano. “Come on, Elizabeth, we’re leaving.”
Mrs. Fisher stands, brushing imaginary specks of dirt off her dress.
As the two of them walk towards the door, Fisher looks at me and smiles. Really smiles. It’s pure sunshine and goodness, and I bask in his warm rays.
But my golden moment doesn’t last long, because before Mr. Fisher storms out the door, he rounds on us and delivers his parting shot.
“I don’t know who you are, or what you’ve brainwashed my son into thinking, but this isn’t over.” He points a threatening finger at me then turns to Fisher. “You do not want to make an enemy of me, son.”
“Who said anything about enemies?” I straighten my spine and look Mr. Fisher in the eye.
“Fisher Group is all about family values, right? I can’t imagine a silly old property could get between a father and his son.
And hopefully, we’ll see you at the game tonight, front and center, cheering your amazingly talented son on like you should be. ”
Mr. Fisher tuts in response, striding through the front door without another word. His wife follows, close on his tail.
Ally waggles her fingers and smiles at the door. “Okay, bye bye now.”
The second it closes, Fisher rounds on us, astonishment all over his face. “Okay…what on earth just happened? Because I’ve never seen my father so lost for words.”
“We figured your father wasn’t going to leave until he convinced you to attend that meeting with his broker and sign over the firehouse, so we decided to mess with them so they left before he could keep harassing you,” I explain, biting my lip as I look at him.
Fisher lets out a breath, his shoulders relaxing. He looks genuinely relieved. “Well whichever one of you geniuses came up with that idea, I love you and can’t thank you enough.”
My brain trips over hearing him say the L-word, even though he obviously didn’t know it was aimed at me, plus he meant it platonically, anyway.
Ally spies my expression and shoots me a sneaky grin before saying, “It was all Lila’s idea.”
My cheeks flush as Fisher looks at me like I hung the moon. “Of course it was.”
“Just a strategic move.” I duck my head to hide my pleasure at his obvious approval. “Your father said he’s playing chess, so better we’re the opponent than the pawns, right?”
Fisher gives me a look that I feel all over. “If this is chess, you’re definitely the queen.”
Penn smirks and nudges Noah. “And we’re the knights. We’ve all got your back, Fishy,” he says, then glances at his phone. “We should probably get ready or we’ll be late for practice. Don’t want Coach Anderson murdering us right before the biggest game of our careers so far.”
“Truth.” Noah nods, then he and Penn run off to their rooms to get ready, clearly terrified of their coach’s wrath if they’re tardy. Ally heads to her room, too.
When Fisher and I are finally alone, he reaches for me and hugs me close. I let myself sink into his embrace like it’s the most natural thing in the world.
“Thank you.” Fisher swallows, and I pull back enough to look up and meet his eyes. “For everything. They’re…” He looks indescribably sad for a moment, then shakes his head. “I’m so ashamed of them.”
“Well, I’m proud of you for standing up to them.” I tilt my head. “Do you think there’s any chance he might come to your game tonight after what I said?”
“No. But thank you for trying.” He grins. “My father is a coward deep down, and I think nothing scares him more than being put in his place by a woman.”
“Woman? Don’t you mean goddess?” I tease.
His green eyes burn into mine. “Yeah. Actually, I do.”