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All I can think is what an ass hat. Who would want to cheat on this incredible girl? Don’t they realise how amazing and kind she is?
“Let's have another shot,” I suggest, as I tip the clear liquor into the glasses. “Here’s to being free from loser boyfriends who don’t deserve us.” I shoot the shot back without the salt and lemon and as I lower my now empty glass, I watch Sophia take a deep breath before tipping her head back and doing the same. She scrunches up her face as she slams the glass down then we both crack up laughing.
“I wouldn’t exactly call myself free though,” she tells me, as she rests her elbow on the bench and puts her chin on her knuckles, holding her up.
“Your parents?” I ask, knowing a little about them from rumours at school.
“Yeah. They’re still as controlling as ever.”
“I heard stories about them at school. Are they really that bad?” I ask.
“Probably worse. They were the ones who set me up with Mitch,” she tells me, which has me raising a brow in question. “The cheating ex,” she clarifies.
“Ahh, I see.”
“I haven’t told them we’ve broken up either because I know my parents. I will get a lecture ending with them either telling me to beg Mitch to take me back or they’ll blame me and say it’s my fault he cheated,” she huffs out. This time she grabs the tequila herself, pouring it quickly into the glasses and shooting it back before I realise she’s doing it.
“Do you always care what your parents think?” I ask, genuinely curious to get an in-depth look into her world.
“I was raised to care what they think. They made it so hard to disappoint them that lately I go along with whatever they say without trying to defy them. I think tonight is the first time in a long time I’ve done something for myself,” she blurts, before she drops her forehead against the cold bench. Her wild hair fans down her back. I long to reach out and stroke her head in comfort, to touch her beautiful locks but I rein myself in.
“What would happen if you did defy them?” I ask. I hear a distinct groan come from where her face is buried before she lifts it.
“Nobody defies Holden and Kennedy Philips.”
“There’s always a first time for everything,” I tell her, as I pour us another shot each. She takes it and tips her head back before I’ve picked mine up. “You know I’m starting to think I should have asked you if you’re a puker when drunk because the way you are drinking now, you are gonna be getting well acquainted with my toilet.”
Her eyes meet mine and again we both crack up with laughter.
“I wouldn’t know. I’ve never been this drunk before,” she confesses.
“Like ever?” I ask, bewildered.
“Never. Back in high school I didn’t go to many parties and when I was away at college, I never wanted to drink. I’m starting to think that had more to do with Mitch though as he always made rude remarks about girls who drank.”
“You know this Mitch guy sounds more like a douche with every new thing I hear,” I tell her, leaning my arms on the bench.
“I blame my parents for that. They thought the sun shone out of his ass. It might have something to do with the dollar signs they could see from his family connections,” she says.
She leans down and starts unzipping the side of her boots then kicks them off one at a time. I catch a glimpse of the bright purple socks she has on which make me smile.
“That’s better,” she says, as she tucks one leg under her butt as the other one dangles down. I can feel the alcohol starting to take effect. The warm feeling rushing over my body and my head feeling lighter.
“Is that all your parents want for your future? Money?” I ask.
She lifts her shoulders before she adds, “I don’t know. Most of the time it feels that way. I guess it doesn’t matter now as I’ll probably die as an old spinster woman unless they demand I get back with Mitch.”
“I hope you don’t get back with Mitch,” I blurt, before I can take it back. The nerves I feel around her are starting to show themselves.
“Don’t worry, there is no way in hell I’m getting back with that cow turd. I always told myself growing up if someone cheated on me, that would be it. No second chances. I think I’d rather take my chance as a spinster,” she giggles, and I can tell the alcohol has kicked in for her.
“You will not turn into an old spinster,” I shake my head, as I pour us each another shot.
“It’s highly likely because who in their right mind would willingly put up with my parents as in-laws. The other option is someone who likes my parents and I think that might be worse.”
Now I blame the next words out of my mouth on a brain snap. I also blame it on the fact that at that moment in time, Gramps’ face pops into my head telling me second chances must be grabbed by the horns. And grabbing them by the crazy horns is exactly what I’m about to do. Or at least try to get and keep the girl of my dreams.
“You know what, I’ll make you a deal. If by the age of thirty, we are both single, then I’ll marry you. I’ll save you from having to die an old spinster,” I blurt into the universe. I watch as her eyes widen before she throws her head back laughing. I’m too shocked at myself to laugh and she soon realises she’s laughing alone.
