Camryn Quinn is finally getting what she wants...sort of. Moving into a dorm and away from her not so supportive father is a good first step, but like everything with him, it comes with strings. She must attend the college of his choosing for at lea...
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Alyssa stops at the empty hostess stand, a Please Wait To Be Seated sign fillsthe space to it's right. I don't bothering to wait for someone in all black to greet us, instead I grab Alyssa's arm and pull her with me as I move through the restaurant. I lead us through an arched doorway off to the left of the entrance with a confidence that can only come from visiting here far more time than I can count. Each time we've sat at the exact same table. My father either has stock in the place or he's a part of the Columbus Mob scene.
None of the waitstaff gives us a second glance as we cross through part of the dining room and move towards the back of the building. Alyssa is acting like a newborn baby who just realized she's alive. The grip I have on her arm is the only reason she's still moving as the room opens up around us, but even then it's practically at a snails pace. Her body is apparently incapable of more than one motor function at a time and she's too busy ogling the fellow patrons to walk at an acceptable pace.
The restaurant is nearly at capacity with occupants enjoying overpriced wine and too dry steak. A combination of booths lining the walls and round tables occupy the space. Candles on every table highlight the otherwise low lightening and a instrumental soundtrack hums softly in the background.
The air shifts as we enter one of the private rooms. Sitting at the single round table in the middle of the room is my dad in his own expensive looking suit, sipping a red wine that probably costs more than Alyssa's car.
My father stands and rounds the table to properly greet us. "Ladies, welcome! You must be Alyssa," My father says, extending a hand to her. I am genuinely surprised that he remembers her name, but I guess his job probably requires him to hold the same personal skills as a teacher. When he recruits players he has to know everything about them without every meeting them. For all I know, he's scouted Alyssa just the same.
As Alyssa returns the pleasantries I move around them to see my brother. Cal, oblivious to our presence, is busy scrolling on his phone. That isn't why I suddenly can't breathe. I temporarily stroke out forcing me to remain in place. It's the wink of his right eyelid that brings me back into this space.
"And Callan tells me that the two of you have met, but girls, this is Taylor Reed." My father's voice booms through my ears. I clear my throat in an attempt to speak, but it only earns me a scolding look from my father that tells me to bite my tongue. If only actually hada smart ass remark. Then maybe I wouldn't be allowing Taylor to see me squirm at his unannounced presence.
Taylor is just full of surprises as he stands and rounds the table to join us. He's dressed in a light blue suit, probably the one he wore into the stadium today before the game. The color reminds me of the shade of his beloved bluejeans, but his typical attire wouldn't cut it in place like this.
He reaches for Alyssa's hand first and her infant like tendencies have returned. She reaches for it, but her eyes remain glossy as she babbles something to him.
