AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“You are?” Dad asked. “What’s his name? Is he from the city? What does he do for a living? What’s his salary like? You should bring him over for dinner!”
Mom gasped. “Excellent idea. When are you planning on coming over, dear? I’ll make that casserole you like. Maybe I’ll even give you the recipe. Who knows how much longer your father and I have? It’s probably best if I pass on the family recipes while I’m still alive and kicking.”
Ah, straight from the classic guilt trip playbook.
I sighed. “Mom, Dad, I have to go. Lots of work to do.”
“Wait a second! Are you coming for dinner or not?”
“Sorry, can’t hear you! Internet signal’s weak. I’ll call you later.”
I hung up quickly and breathed a sigh of relief. All it took was a five-minute call with my overbearing parents and my cortisol levels were through the roof.
Did I feel bad about avoiding them? Obviously.
Somewhere deep down, I still wanted to be a good daughter. But I knew for a fact that spending an entire evening with them would take some serious willpower and bravery. Being pelted all night with intrusive questions about my personal life and career choice from every possible direction wasn’t my idea of a fun time.
There was just too much going on right now. The libel lawsuit. The sports article. Dylan, Red, and Cash… I needed time to decompress.
I pulled out my laptop, flopped down on the queen-size bed, and opened a Word doc. I was surprised Leonna wasn’t nagging me like always about getting my draft in, but I figured that was probably for the best. If she was too busy fending off the lawyers from Leo Holistic Lifestyle, at least I’d have a short period of time without her breathing down my neck.
Ding!
I received a message notification on my desktop.
Do you ever wake up and wonder if the universe is out to get you? Sorry, that probably sounded super dramatic.
I giggled. I had no idea who this person was, yet I felt like I knew everything about them. I never thought I’d hit it off with a stranger I met by chance in the comments section of a travel forum. Most days,MountainFullofPinesfelt like the only person I could talk to without worry of judgment.
My fingers flew over the keys.
We all need a little drama in our lives, otherwise it’d be boring! Want to tell me what happened?
I do, but it could end up being a bit of a novel.
Give me the SparkNotes version.
Three little dots appeared in the bottom right-hand corner, signaling to me that my digital pen pal was drafting a response.
A few seconds later, it went away, and I received no message. The dots popped up again only to disappear. I had to wonder if they were struggling to figure out what to say.
There’s this girl.
I raised my eyebrows, curiosity bubbling in my chest.
Oh???? Do go on.
I really like her. Can’t stop thinking about her. Getting to be near her, but not being able to have her is torture.
Why aren’t you able to have her?
It’s complicated.
Isn’t it always?
Main reason is I’m worried about what my family will think. I’m worried they wouldn’t approve.
I set my jaw. My poor friend! It was the strangest thing, but I knew exactly how he felt.
