#4 Truth and Nothing But by Stephanie Perry Moore Page B

said as he moved my hair out of my face from the blowing wind.
    I gave him a big hug. Reese was a motivator. He certainly had pumped me up. I had to keep digging. I had to find the truth, and whatever it was, it wasn’t going to break me.
    Reese and I walked back over to our high school stadium. The fourth quarter was ending, and we won the game. We were at a new school, but we were fierce competitors. Mavericks to the end. I need to incorporate that mantra in my life.

    â€œSo everybody thinks this is all okay to get all dressed up to go to some party for Daddy?” I asked Yuri. I was still having my doubts about my dad’s fidelity.
    â€œCome on, Sloan,” Yuri said as she turned her back so I could zip her up. “Dad’s about to be the next mayor. Lots of people want to give him parties now. You gotta be excited for him and help him celebrate as we escort him to the first gala.”
    â€œIsn’t he throwing this party?” I questioned, getting my sister to see what she was saying held no merit.
    â€œOkay, listen to this song,” Slade rushed into the room and said, not caring that we were in the middle of a conversation.
    Once she started the music, my head started bopping. She and her singing partner, Charlotte, had cut their first demo. The sound was off the chain.
    Slade bragged, “Dad said we can sing at the party tonight! We’re going to perform this, but I wanted you two to tell me what you think. And you’ve got to see Mom. Shelby designed her the prettiest dress, and the lady Shelby works with actually had it made. Mom looks stunning.”
    â€œOh, and let me guess,” I said a little peeved that everybody was so into this whole party. “Ansli is taking pictures tonight!”
    â€œYeah, maybe you could write about it. Put it in the society column or something,” Slade said, not at all sensing I thought this was crazy.
    I couldn’t tell whether my sister was serious or not about me writing a story on a darn party. I knew she wanted the spotlight, but didn’t my sister sense I wasn’t feeling it. We were playing family. I didn’t want to spend my night smiling when I knew I had reason to frown.
    The two of them were super excited. Their giddiness was getting on my nerves. I walked back into my room after getting tired of standing in front of the mirror, primping with my sisters, and I called Reese.
    â€œWhat’s going on?” he asked. “You calling to say you’ll be my girl?”
    Smiling through the phone, I said, “Thought my body language had already told you, but if you must hear me say it… yes, I’ll be your girl.”
    â€œThat’s what’s up,” he said in a overjoyed tone. “What’s going on?”
    â€œI don’t wanna go to this party ’cause I don’t trust my dad.”
    â€œYou didn’t tell me everything going on, and I’m not gonna guess. I will say that maybe it’s different from what you think.”
    â€œMaybe I didn’t get suspended this year,” I sarcastically said. “But I did.”
    â€œSo what’d you call me for?” Reese said, cutting to the chase. “You wanted me to give you a pep talk and tell you something that would encourage you, so chill out,” he said, taking charge.
    â€œOkay, so what you got?”
    â€œSometimes family is all you got. You and I both know that until you know the whole story, you don’t need to assume anything. If you truly learned from not giving me the benefit of the doubt, practice that with your father.”
    â€œAlright, I’ll try. I’ll call you later,” I said as I exhaled.
    â€œText me and let me know how you’re doing. I care about you.”
    â€œI know you do.” I said to him.
    Taking in Reese’s advice, I needed to confront my dad. Immediately, I went to him. He was getting all snazzy.
    â€œHey there, you,” he said, like I