I shake my head and leave the room before I start screaming.
“Dude,” Zee calls from the kitchen. “What about the money?”
I arrive at work with enough time to check the breakroom. My boss, Nat, always keeps it well-stocked. And today, I really appreciate it.
Bishop Fields is an event-planning business on the outskirts of Mule Creek. We mostly do weddings, with the occasional charity gala thrown in. People are ridiculous when it comes to weddings. Case in point, we have anAlice in Wonderland-themed wedding in a few weeks. But at least it’s interesting, and it pays the bills.
Between painting a giant teacup and moving chairs, I check for apartments to rent.
If I didn’t have student loans, I could have saved up the money I need. It’s funny how the one lie I’ve told my dad keeps biting me in the ass. But convincing him I had a scholarship so he wouldn’t use money from the farm to pay for my college was important. He would have gladly given it to me and said my business degree would be an investment for when I took over the farm.
Which is not happening. Ever.
I have a couple thousand saved up, but it’s not enough. Where am I going to get another three grand?
My phone rings, and I answer it before Nat can gripe at me. “Hey, Dad.”
“Jonah, Maisy’s birthday party this weekend isn’t optional.”
My dad doesn’t do small talk. Part of being a farmer. Always work to get done. Maybe that’s why I’m not as chatty as my friends.
“I’ll be there.” My sister is turning four. And while I’m still not over my dad marrying Carolynda and starting a whole new family so soon after Mom left, none of that is Maisy’s fault. I’d never miss her birthday party.
“Good,” he says with a grunt. “And for God’s sake, try to get along with Vivian.”
As if I haven’t tried.
“It’s not me,” I start because I can’t help it. Why does Dad always take Vivian’s side?
His sigh is loaded with disappointment, and I stop, shame crawling up my chest. Damn Vivian for putting me in this position in the first place.
“I’ll be good—” I bite off the rest of it—if he is.
