AllFreeNovel
Share Us
At least she has a sense of humor about it. “Very discouraging,” I agree. “Doesn’t bode well for the rest of the night.”
That gets me an airy laugh. “Oh hush, darling. It’s going to be a smashing night.”
“What are you drinking?” Lee asks me.
“White wine?” I hadn’t given much thought to whatmy drinkwould be now that I’m legal on this side of the Atlantic. This seems the safest choice.
“Pace yourself,” Yvonne mocks. “Wouldn’t want to risk having a good time.”
So it’s going to be like that.
Yvonne asks for another espresso martini and Celeste orders a pint. Armed with our drink orders, Lee leaves me under the unshielded scrutiny of the two women.
“You’re probably not much of a drinker, right?” Celeste guesses. “You’re not legal in America.”
“True. But I also think it’s sort of a PTSD,” I find myself confessing. “I can’t tolerate the smell of beer and liquor. Makes me sick. I was around too much of it when I was a kid.”
“Why’s that?” Celeste asks. “Parents alcoholics?”
Subtle. She certainly shares a brashness with her brother.
I shake my head. “No, not like that. But my dad was kind of a partier back in the day. Came with the territory.”
I’m not sure why I keep talking. I don’t actually want to have this conversation. But something about Celeste’s penetrating stare creates a persuasive cocktail that pulls the words from my lips, and I lose control of my better instincts. A terminal case of wanting to be liked by everyone.
Celeste narrows her eyes. “What territory’s that?”
“No, I mean…” Shit. I don’t know what I mean. I walked myself into this corner, and now I’m struggling to find my way out. “Like his job…”Seriously, Abbey?
“His job,” Celeste repeats. “What does that mean?”
I could dip and dodge all night, but she isn’t going to let this go. The intent in her eyes tells me she’s got a whiff. And now, if purely for sport, she’s getting this bone.
I let out a quick breath and capitulate. “He was a musician.”
One perfect eyebrow arches. “What, like, would I know him?”
I hate this part.
“Gunner Bly.”
Her mouth falls open. Yvonne cocks her head. I know exactly how it goes from here. This is usually the moment they start gushing. Telling me my dad’s hot. Which, no, gross.
Then they’ll go on about their prom song or graduation song or breakup song or that time they lost their virginity in the Dairy Queen parking lot. Why people think I want to know these things is beyond me.
And then, inevitably, one of them is a budding music producer. Their cousin is a singer. Their boyfriend has a band. Everyone wants something that I have zero power to give, and I become a prop, a means to an end. Whatever relationship we had or could’ve had devolves into a quid pro quo. Doesn’t make it easy to have friends.
It’s lonely as hell, actually.
The boys return to the table with our drinks. Celeste ignores the plea in my eyes and instantly turns on her brother.
“Why didn’t you tell me Abbey’s dad is Gunner Bly?” she accuses.
“What?” Lee chuckles as he looks at her sideways. “Who said that?”
“Abbey.”
“What, really?” Jamie blinks at me.
