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“Ew. I definitely don’t need that visual, Uncle David.”
“Oh c’mon—” My sister and I hold our hands up, halting his words.
“Don’t finish that sentence. Please.” He chuckles, a hearty sound that echoes around the backyard.
“So, what are you girls getting up to? Any plans to celebrate your graduation?”
“We’re going clubbing,” Junie explains. My uncle holds his knuckles out to give us a bump.
“How ya been, kiddo?” he asks me. Despite my uncle living directly next door, we don’t see him a lot. He travels for work. In fact, I don’t think I know exactly what he does. I just know he makes a shit ton of money and is gone often. Hell, he helped Daddy buy into the team.
“I’m good, Uncle David. Ready to graduate and get some college under my belt so I have something to fall back on in case racing doesn’t work out.”
“Racing not work out… Right. You live, eat, and breathe that shit, certainly your father’s daughter. There is no way you’re not racing those damn bikes for the rest of your life.”
CHAPTERTWO
LENNOX
It’sthe day after our relaxing cookout by the pool with our family. I’m with Juniper and Lauren, eating at one of our favorite restaurants. Well, we’re trying to. Unfortunately, I can’t say that this outing is relaxing in the slightest because people have recognized us and are taking photos. The Ford children, a menace to society and everyone’s favorite past time because of who their parents fuck.
This is how it always starts. The secretive photos, then the posts go up on social media and the crowds gather.
I imagine that when my parents got together, the three of them never thought their relationship would be harmful to their children. But it is and always has been.
We thought we were doing well. We’ve been out shopping all morning, taking our time in places and trying on clothes, shoes, and jewelry. I think Daddy gives us his credit cards because he feels bad for us, and tries to make up for his unconventional relationship by buying us things.
It helps until it doesn’t. But I don’t want my parents to feel guilty for loving freely. What kind of lesson is that teaching anyone?
I always expect society to be accepting, but it never works like that. Sure, there are supporters—the people who will do absolutely everything to make us feel comfortable and who admire my parents for saying fuck the rules and staying together, anyway. If Daddy weren’t a retired Superbike rider, a champion in his field, then I’m sure most people wouldn’t think twice. But my father is well known, and so is his relationship.
“Is there anything I can do?” our server asks as she brings us another round of sodas and three slices of cheesecake along with our check. Mine is drenched in strawberry goo, Lauren’s is layered with chocolate and caramel drizzle, and Juniper’s, well, hers is plain because she’s weird. I take a sip of my soda, the fuzzy bubbles helping to keep a lid on what I really want to say as I try not to deflate. At least we’ve made it this far, but we can’t ask a restaurant to close its doors so we can eat in peace. Well, we could, but it would cost Daddy a pretty penny, and that’s just ludicrous.
We refuse to do that because, even though the public hates us, we are still nice people who want to live normal lives.
Is that too much to ask?
“Kick them all the fuck out,” Lauren deadpans. The server laughs nervously, her eyes flicking between us to figure out if Lauren is serious. I want to tell the woman that she isn’t, but I know my best friend, and she’s incredibly serious. I honestly don’t know how she puts up with going out with us, because shit happens more often than not.
They have dragged her name through the mud right along with us as themysterious friendor thepossible love interest. I can’t say how many times they have accused us of having threesomes with her.
“It’s okay. There’s not really anything you can do, nor would we ever ask that of you. Just give us a few minutes to eat our dessert, and then we will be out of your hair. Things will settle once we are gone,” I explain to the server, and Lauren’s lips flatten. Turning to my best friend, I say, “Stop. You’re so ferocious, but we are fine. We will not ruin the days of the decent people in the world because of some assholes.”
“You’re too nice,” Junie adds.
“It’s bullshit, Nox, and you know it.” Lauren stabs her cheesecake, her fork scraping awkwardly and making a terrible sound. We all cringe, and she breaks out in a fit of laughter.
“Jesus, let the cheesecake know how you really feel.” Juniper’s giggle is contagious, forcing us to laugh harder. Not only does it make us laugh, it also draws the eyes of the other patrons, plus a scowl from Lauren. Her protective nature only makes me love her more.
Our server fidgets, but I can tell her frustration is not with us; it’s with everyone else. I’m going to tip her well. “Are you sure there is nothing else I can do?”
I offer her an amiable smile to let her know it is truly okay. “You’ve done plenty to help us. We really appreciate the offer, but we’re fine. We’re just gonna finish our food and quietly leave.”
Once I place my card in the pleather booklet, she walks off with our check, glaring over her shoulder at the onlookers as she goes, and I smile. In the past, we’ve been the ones forced to leave the premises because we were a nuisance and drew too much of a crowd.
“I can’t believe we’re graduating.” Juniper has to mumble around the bite she stuffed in her mouth because it’s huge. I narrow my eyes in her direction, and she grins, cheesecake shoving its way through the cracks between her teeth. It sucks that we have to think about public appearance. My sister is silly and I love her goofiness, but right now I’m letting the assholes get the best of me.
“Junie, what are you doing?” I scold her, hating myself almost immediately when she wipes the smile from her face. She’s just having a good time.
