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 pulls her car into the driveway and attempts to park in the open space underneath the concrete mounted basketball rim.
"Not here," I commanded.
"I don't want to block anyone in!" Her voice comes out mousy, forcing me to roll my eyes. Of course her brain's initial response is to not inconvenience anyone else at the party.
"You have it all wrong," I tut. "We're late, which means we've set ourselves up for the perfect opportunity to leave first."
Alyssa doesn't put the car in reverse and continues to stare in my direction as she asks, "Why would we leave first?"
"Keep up! Let's go, chop chop! Reverse and pull into the grass" I mimic the motions I want her to do with my hand.
"I'm too hungover to even try and understand you right now." At least she guides her car to where I directed her.
"Good," I acknowledge as I step out of the car and pull my jean skirt down and adjust the t-shirt tucked into it. It's probably a little too short for this function, which I can only hope will piss my dad off.
I'm owed at least some semblance of who I am.
I caught myself a little off guard when I agreed to come to my dad's annual Labor Day barbeque. Especially when I know nothing but the football team, coaches, and their families awaits me on the other side of that door. The willingness must come from the fact that I've avoided any face to face interactions since the postgame dinner. And if I cut off all contact too quickly, the interactions will become unannounced and even more unwelcome.
Even if my dad has finally laid off, I can only assume Cal is funneling him information. It wouldn't be the first time he's used my brother to get to me. He knows that no matter what, I won't be able to completely ignore Callan. The whole twin thing and whatnot. No matter how unbearable, Cal's persistence and groveling will penetrate me eventually.
"Your house is like, enormous. You actually grew up here? I mean a gate at the entrance was a sign it was a mansion but this is insane! Is that a separate guest house? And what is this, like ten acres?" Alyssa's face is awe struck as we exit the car and begin walking up the curving sidewalk leading to the front door.
"What is this?" I don't bother to hide my annoyance. "Do you work for HGTV or something? Manners, Alyssa. You are here simply to be a buffer. We talked about this." I turned to face her completely, one hand on her shoulder the other used as a guide between us, motioning to each step of the plan. "We go in and make the rounds. Make small talk with my dad and Katie. We eat whatever fancy food they offer. And if we're lucky, we'll leave before the fireworks even start." Before Alyssa can even ask, because I know her enough to now know what she will say. I explain that Katie is my dad's gold digging girlfriend, who like Barbie has many versions of herself.
