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Once I’ve finished my cereal, I pick up my bowl along with my phone and walk it to the kitchen sink.
“I need you today.”
“Can’t. I have plans.” I do have plans, but not until later. I’m meeting Ryder at the movies. Gianna and her new man are going as well. It’s a double date kind of thing, in the dark theater, but whatever. I’ll take whatever time I can get with my man. I’m nervous we’re going to get caught, but he’s going to wear a hat and glasses, and Gianna’s man is meeting us there as well, so it looks like it’s just her and I as we enter the theater. This is over the top, but I don’t trust my mother.
“Jordyn, you live here rent free. We provide for you. I need your help at the club. We’re trying to pick out place settings for the Christmas ball, and we can’t seem to decide.”
“Mother, you’ve never had an indecisive day in your entire life. You don’t need me there. Whatever setup you’re trying to orchestrate, I don’t want any part of it. As for me living here, you requested I come back home, and I listened. However, I’m happy to start looking for a place if that’s more convenient for you.”
She scoffs. “And how do you plan to pay for this new place of yours? You can’t expect your father and I to pay for it. We dealt with your defiance in college, but it’s time to start acting like the twenty-four-year-old adult that you are and plan your future.”
“I’d love to plan my future. In fact, I was doing that until you threatened him and his family.” I’m fuming, but so is she. I know bringing Ryder and his family up isn’t a good idea, but I can’t just sit back and listen to this bullshit anymore. She wants me to live the life she’s planning for me, and not one that will bring me happiness and love.
So much love.
“You are an Astor.” The malice in her tone is clear.
“Really? I wasn’t aware,” I sass.
Her neck gets red, and the color spreads across her cheeks. If it were possible, I’m sure there would be steam coming out of her ears. I’ve pissed her off.
“You can be a disrespectful little snit all you want. Your future husband will have a field day breaking you of that particular habit,” she sneers.
I bite back my fear. “He can try.” What I don’t say is that unless the man’s name is Ryder Kincaid, I won’t be marrying him. I’ll disappear first. I won’t do anything else to hurt the man I love. My mother has caused him enough pain, and me by association, and fear.
No more. That stops now.
“I’m going to Gianna's. I’m staying at her place tonight.” Before today, I would have asked for permission, and let her tell me no. That’s the old Jordyn. The new Jordyn knows how it feels to have a man fight for her. To hold on to their love even when he wasn’t sure that love would be returned.
“I told you I need you at the country club.”
“And I told you that I have plans.” With more courage than I feel, I stalk out of the room and up the stairs, slamming my bedroom door for good measure. I’m acting like a mouthy teenager, but I guess I skipped those years, so it’s only fair I give dear old Mom a dose now.
I know I need to be careful. I’m walking on thin ice with her, but as long as I don’t let on that I’m still with Ryder, it will be fine. She’ll be pissed, and that’s what I want. It’s the opposite of what I strived to achieve growing up. I never wanted to upset her or make her unhappy, but that ship has long since sailed.
Disown me, Mother.
Please.
I smile as I strip out of Ryder’s T-shirt and hide it because I wouldn’t put it past my mother to have it tossed out, and head to the shower.
I’m vibrating with excitement as we enter the theater. Ryder texted me fifteen minutes ago to let me know he was here. He’s sitting in the back row and saved us some seats.
“You want snacks?” I ask Gianna.
“Is that a real question? Yes, to all the snacks. The butter needs to be seeping out of that bag of popcorn, my friend.”
I laugh as she links her arm through mine, and we hit up the concession stand. I grab a bottle of water and a large soda, a large popcorn, and a box of Junior Mints. Ryder loves them.
Once we’re loaded down with the goods, we make our way to screen number seven. Inside, we make our way to the very back row, and just as promised, Ryder is there with a hat pulled down low on his head, and one seat over from him is Calvin. I met him earlier this week, and he seems to be just as smitten with my best friend as she is with him.
