Ragged✔|18+

EIGHTEEN

REYNA

I don't like gatherings. There's too many expectations, too much pressure. I have to dress and behave a certain way and do everything I can to appease the hosts. Even if they're my grandparents, as is my situation alright now. I was getting ready to enjoy a stress-free weekend when dad announced that we were going to Long Island.

"A formal introduction of Sophia," he said.

To which I asked, "How is she your fiancée for over a year without any introduction to grandma and grandpa?"

Words were exchanged thereafter—unpleasant ones—and I couldn't weasel myself out of it.

"Come on, don't be so glum," Gwen says beside me. It's easy for her to say that. She's drinking the good stuff—scotch on rocks. She gets to be drunk, dance the night away, and wake up tomorrow with a hangover. I'm stuck with a mocktail, which is my fifth one, by the way.

"I'm not glum," I retort. "Just pissed."
"Yeah, well, join the crowd."

"I can't believe he invited Lexie's mom and her husband. That's shady as fuck."

"That's grandma's fault," Gwen says. "She's always been fond of her and thought that maybe dad would have a change of heart if they saw each again. I guess she didn't expect that lexie's mom would come with a plus one. That too a husband." We both laugh at the way things turned out.

"Just look at them." Gwen gestures at the two couples with her drink. "It's so painful to watch. What do you think they're talking about?"

"The weather? State of the economy?" I suggest, but Gwen shakes her head.

"That's too advanced for Sophia." She's quiet for a moment, then says, "What do you think he saw in her? Besides looks and sex, that is. I mean, is there even depth there?"

"I think you're forgetting that dad has nine children. With different women."

"Yeah, you have a point there." She clinks her glass with mine. "So, how are you?"

The question comes out of nowhere, and I frown at her. "I'm fine."

"No. I mean it. How are you?"

"I'm good. Why are you acting so weird?"

"I want you to be happy," she says. "You've always been so distant."

"You're drunk."

"See?" She smiles, though it's sad and forlorn, and pats my hair. "You're so defensive and closed-off."

"Yeah? Who made you the head shrink of our dysfunctional family?"

Hating that I'm proving her right and her knowing smile, I excuse myself and head inside the house. I nod at Lexie as by her and the twins, shutting down any invitation to their chit-chat.

"Party's outside, you know?"

West's voice almost makes me faint once I reach my room.

"Got lost trying to my find my room," he explains when he sees the startled expression on my face.

My blank stare must tell him everything he needs to know. This house is spacious, so you'd think the chances of running into anyone you don't want to see would be slim to none.

"You just love being a creep, don't you?"

"Nice to see you haven't mellowed down."

One look at West, and you wouldn't think he was lying and manipulative piece of shit. He's got that cool, lanky, bohemian aesthetic going for him. All peace and zen, preaching about calmness of the soul. Him and his merry band of backstabbers—Riley and Jax—think they have everything figured out.