I Don't Want You

Chapter 3

~Aviana~

“A dress could cost that much?” I muttered, clutching the box containing Brae’s dress to my chest, while the dress Bray bought for me sat on my lap. “Never take me there again,” I grumbled under my breath.

Bray snorted from the driver’s seat. “You thought the mall looked that good for nothing?” He glanced at me before returning his eyes to the road. “How’re you gonna get that wrapped?”

“I’ll ask Dianne,” I replied referring to his mom, glancing over at him as he shook his head with a smile.

“Not possible,” he said, turning down a street that brought us closer to the Beta’s mansion. “She’s way too busy making sure everything’s perfect for the party tomorrow.”

“Oh,” I said, the realization sinking in. “Well, your dad’s not as busy. He can do it.”

“He’d love to help,” Bray said, not even trying to hide the sarcasm. “Sure, let’s go with that.”

I didn’t press further, letting the conversation drop as we pulled into the driveway. The gates closed behind us as Bray parked.

“Is Brae home?” I asked, unbuckling my seatbelt.

“She’s with Mom for a spa day,” Bray replied, getting out of the car and following me inside.

“Oh, right,” I mumbled, remembering her invite earlier this morning to join them.

“We’re home!” Bray called as we walked into the living room, pulling off his jacket. His dad, Dan, was on the phone but smiled at me before returning to his conversation.

“Yeah, yeah, just send the pictures. I’m too busy to come in today,” Dan said, sounding mildly irritated before hanging up. He stood up and walked over to us, already focused on his son. “You don’t have to announce every time you’re home, you know? I could hear you drive in.” He rolled his eyes, then promptly shoved Bray aside and lifted me off the ground like I weighed nothing.

“My baby! I haven’t seen you in forever!” he exclaimed, tossing me up in the air like I was five years old.

“Aah! I was here two days ago!” I yelped, barely managing to keep hold of the boxes in my arms.

Dan laughed as he set me down. “Did Bray finally agree to take you to Gullah?”

I gave a dramatic sigh, still catching my breath. “Yeah, finally.”

“She needs Mom’s help wrapping the gift, though,” Bray muttered as he flopped onto the couch like he’d just run a marathon.

Dan’s eyes moved to the boxes I was holding. “Two boxes? I need to start cutting back on your allowances,” he grumbled, taking one from me to inspect it.

“Looks presentable enough, right?” Bray asked, still glued to the TV screen.

Dan examined the box and nodded. “It’s Gullah. You paid enough for the box alone.” He glanced at Bray, and they exchanged a look.

“No need to wrap it,” they said in unison, both using the same tone. Bray didn’t even look at me, still absorbed in his show.

I frowned, frustrated. “It’s her twentieth birthday, Dan! You’ve got to put in some effort this time.”

Dan rolled his eyes and looked at Bray, who shrugged from the couch. “So, should I wrap the car I got her too?” he asked, oozing sarcasm.

“Just put a bow on it!” I retorted, snatching the box back. “Please help us wrap this, Dan. Please, please, please?”