AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“No I haven’t.” I glared at Kristen who shrugged as helpless as I was with her big mouth making trouble. “Was sort of hoping to discuss that later.” I mumbled. “Much later.” I shoved a bite of meat into my mouth.
Kristen nodded. I knew what she had been trying to do but I didn’t need my little sister throwing me a life preserver just now.
“Are they getting married in Vegas?”
“No.” I told her chewing my meat giving Kristen a death glare.
“But everyone is going to Vegas.” Winnie was sharp as a tack, I’d give her that.
Kristen jumped in before I could add anything. “Yup and mom has graciously agreed to help out with the cost.”
“Of course.” I muttered. Far be it for my sister to foot the bill for anything of her own doing like a co-ed bachelor bachelorette party for our two best friends.
“Chase, you know Taylor is like a second daughter to us. She’s lived next door her whole life.” Mom reached across the table patting my hand. It was clever how mom clearly ignored the tension between dad and I when Kristen dropped this bomb.
I had nothing against Taylor, heck; there were times I liked her far much more than my own sister. It had to do with Kristen growing the fuck up while I was still paying penance because my dream wasn’t my dad’s dream. I never wanted to play pro football if it wasn’t in the cards and considering the shitty hand I had been dealt, I felt like I managed this all pretty good considering.
“My parents are coming to visit that weekend.” Winnie grimaced and I felt awful. I couldn’t abandon my friends nor could I leave my girl hanging in the wind like this. Shit. None of this was going to end well.
“Oh that’s lovely. I wish we were all here to meet them. Grammie needs help at the cabin and I’m taking your father up there.” Dad grunted and I felt even worse. The place would literally be a ghost town.
Dessert managed to be equally as awkward with little conversation and blank angry stares passed around the table like stale coffee. I was able to last another half hour before I stood up and decided I’d had enough of this hot mess.
“I think we should head out. I’ve got a clinical consult in the morning on a schnauzer.”
“Of course honey.” Mom put down her cup and saucer ever the gracious host. Winnie said her goodbyes politely. By the time I reached her at the front door the gloves were apparently off.
I followed a stomping foot Winnie out the front door of my parents’ house into the driveway. She left with such vinegar in her steps the door nearly blindsided me as it swung on its hinges. Luckily Kristen’s car was parked behind mine so I had time to stall.
“Win, come back.”
She didn’t answer me but I could hear her muttering and her heels pacing the macadam pavement. Her silhouette glowed in profile as she stood facing away from me, her hand on the door handle of my car.
“Babe we can’t go yet.”
“Chase, wait!” Kristen plowed into me from behind and I had no patience to deal with my spoiled selfish sister in this moment. She hurt Winnie’s feelings and I wasn’t okay with that.
“Not now, Kristen. Haven’t you done enough tonight.” I snarled.
“Don’t be pissed with her.” Winnie turned to face us and the porch lights made the tears on her cheeks glisten.
“Are you pissed at me?” I asked clearly confused who should have been pissed at who or what in this moment.
“At myself.”
“Now that doesn’t make any sense.” My hands slapped my legs in frustration. She wasn’t mad at me, or my idiot sister, but she was aggrieved at herself? Clearly I had no idea what women wanted from me.
“Chase, maybe give us a minute?” Kristen tugged my shirt.
“Not happening, sis. In fact, do me a huge favor and move that car of yours out of the driveway.” I pointed to her junker that looked like it had a newer bumper than the last time I saw it. “I want to go home.” I was done with tonight. Done in every aspect of the word.
“But.”
“Now.” I pointed at that car following her down the steps.
Kristen sidestepped me tossing her hands in the air mumbling and went to her car throwing it in reverse and leaving. I’d deal with her later. Right now, I needed to fix this.
“Win.”
