It’s a Saturday night. It’s my senior year and I’d rather be anywhere but here. All of my friends went out to the lake on the ranch. Did I get to go?
No.
At least I’m not alone. My eyes find Kade’s as he serves the guests. One of the jobs he has when he’s home from college. None of them notice him, but I do. I always notice him.
“Ma’am. Would you like a…thing?” Kade smiles at me as hewalks up to me.
“That’s not what I want.”
“Anything I can do to quench your need rightnow?”
There’s a tease in his voice. “At the moment? I don’t think it’d be appropriate.”
“Presley…”
“Excuse me. Can I get another drink?” A woman interrupts us, tapping Kade on the shoulder.
“Yes, ma’am. What would you like?”
“A chardonnay, please.”
“One moment.”
Kade leaves to go fill her order while she chats my ear off about the latest property that my dad is looking to purchase.
I give her a polite smile, nodding along like I’m interested. Maybe if my parents had another kid, hell if they had a boy, I might not have to be here right now.
“Make sure to tell your father.”
I smile. “I will.”
“Good to see you, Presley.”
Before I can sneak away to try and find Kade again, Mom is at my side.
“Presley, dear. We need you.” Mom grasps my elbow and pulls me toward the makeshift stage.
I set my drink on a table and trail behind her.
Only a few more hours and then I can cut out of here and meet the girls. There’s a bonfire going on where they are at the moment. If I had my phone with me, I’m sure I’d be getting all the pictures. Especially since Joey’s latest crush is there.
“Where have you been?” Dad scolds by the time I flank him on the stage.
“Mingling with your guests.”
My smile is stiff, but polite. Now that we’re on stage, all eyes are on us.
“Let’s get started,” Mom says, trying to push us away from a confrontation.
Dad pulls notecards from his pocket as one of his faithful employees joins us on stage.
I wonder what he’s doing here. Probably going to be announced the lead of some new project.
When the stage lights turn up, I paste a fake smile on.
“Thank you all for joining us here this evening,” Dad greets.
He drones on about the great year the company is having. It’s everything I’ve heard at dinner these last few weeks. No matter what I want to do, I have to be at the dinner table every day at seven.
