She glares harder.
“Leave the girl alone, Eloise. She went on the date. That's what matters, right?” my stepdad interjects.
My mother does not like that. She swings her glare at him, but he doesn’t bat an eye.
Sometimes I think she’s only with him for his money, and won’t dare try to really piss him off because she knows he would leave her. I’m sure they were in love at some point, but now? I’m not so sure. I haven’t been around them in years to be able to judge that.
Elliot played in the KP for years before he became a coach. The man is worth more than my mother. Sometimes I wish he could have been more of a parent when I was younger. My mother would berate him when he tried, but that didn’t stop him from being the best stepdad ever when she was gone.
We’ve always had a good relationship. I didn’t realize how much I missed him until now.
“How was brunch?” she asks me.
“Want me to lie? Or can I tell you what you how it really was?”
She sighs heavily. “Really, Addison? Do you have to be so hard to deal with?”
“What do you want me to say, Mother?” I huff. “They were nice guys, I’ll give them that. Respectful. But all they did was talk about themselves.”
“So?” She blinks. “No one wants to hear about gaming.” She rolls her eyes. “I’m sure they wouldn’t have understood anything you said.”
I grind my teeth together. “They also ordered for me.”
“They were being gentlemen. That's sweet.”
Sweet? Is she joking!
“It was a salad. And when I wanted a soda to go with it, they ordered me a sparkling water instead.”
“Salad is healthy, and soda is not. I don’t see the problem here, Addison. You’re the one making one where there is none.”
“Salad isn’t filling, Mom,” I growl.
“Well.” She looks me over. “You could afford to lose a few pounds.”
That hits me like a punch to the gut. My eyes sting as I try not to cry.
“That's enough, Eloise,” Elliot growls. “I understand you want what's best for your daughter.” I almost snort at that, because she sure as fuck doesn’t. “But that doesn’t give you the right to insult her like that. She’s not you. She’s her own person.”
My mother stands stiffly. I can tell she wants to argue with him, to tell him off. He’s the only one she won’t clap back at unless she really feels the need to.
Her tongue runs over her teeth before she speaks again. “They called and asked for another date. So clearly, you haven’t scared them off. How? I'm not sure.” She lifts her chin. “You will be going out again with them next Saturday night. I’ve also set you up on a date with some of my friends' sons.”
“Another pack?” My brows pull together. “What the hell? Are you pimping me out?”
“I told you the conditions of living here, Addison. Did you think it was going to be one date with one pack?” She laughs. “No. You will continue to go on dates until you find a pack. And if you refuse to pick a pack, one will be picked for you.”
I hate her. I hate her. I hate her!
Before I can slap her across the face, I storm out of the room.
“And stop dressing like a whore before I go into your room and burn all your clothes!” she calls out.
A sob bubbles up my throat as I race to my room.
There is shouting that sounds from behind me. I know Elliot isn’t letting her behavior go unchecked, and I appreciate him for that.
Doesn’t mean it will change anything. She will always be who she is, and I’ll never be the daughter she wants me to be.
