Ainsley: Well, Preston’s girlfriend seems to think they will. She thinks this is the perfect opportunity to get into the family.
Me: And what does Preston think? He’s a jerk, but I’m not sure if he’s grown up at all over the years.
He moved out of state for a couple of years. It was a time of peaceful family dinners. Ainsley and I sat in grieving silence when he moved back. We’d really enjoyed those get-togethers without him.
Ainsley: He hasn’t. He talked about marrying Carly just for the sake of beating you out of the bet. It’s not like he needs the money.
How obnoxious. My grandmother decided to place a price on the first marriage of her grandchildren. My cousin Preston is, well—if you look upjerkwadin the dictionary, his face is next to it. It’s been his life goal to make me miserable.
He’s done a pretty good job of it.
Whatever I have, he tries to steal it out from under me—my ex-girlfriend being a prime example. He also has not endeared himself to my sisters. Karis is the youngest in our family, and Preston has managed to annoy her into actually yelling. He’s the only person I’ve ever seen her yell at.
I can’t imagine him dating anyone that we would actually want in the family. Because no reasonable person would date Preston, and since his current girlfriend is my ex, I know she’s not a good option.
Me: Keep me updated. I’m going to work today.
Ainsley: Please don’t let him win this.
Me: Unfortunately, Grandma is right, and I am a single Pringle, who doesn’t have time to mingle.
The text bubbles appear and disappear a few times before she replies.
Ainsley: Please never say a rhyme like that again. But you know how much Preston will rub this in our faces for the rest of our lives. I’ll have to stop coming to family gatherings.
As if. Our mother would murder us. And Dad would feel abandoned.
Me: Why don’t you get married?
Ainsley: Towhat? There’s nothing remotely worth getting married to around here.
I have to hold back a chuckle at her referencing men as things rather than people. And I’m not mad about it. I’d prefer it if my little sisters never have boyfriends, then I won’t have to worry about them.
Me: Good point.
Ainsley: Can’t you go find a nice girl and ask her to marry you?
I don’t even bother to answer her. I strongly dislike Preston, but Ainsley has more of a deep-seated hatred and would like to see him fail. I’m still not sure what he did to her in high school. I made sure it wasn’t something worth killing him over, but I think it had something to do with her first big heartbreak. She still hasn’t forgiven him for whatever part he played in it.
Oh, well. It’s not like he’ll actually get married. Especially if he doesn’t even like the girlfriend he has right now.
Preston likes to date people who are already in a relationship. He only wants what he doesn’t have. There’s not actually any staying power in him.
My phone chimes again. I debate on ignoring it, knowing my sister is just going to keep telling me to find a random soul to marry.
But when I look at my phone, I see that it’s a text from Lucy.
Lucy: Thanks for doing that pile of dishes. You didn’t have to do that!
I text her back immediately.
Me: No problem. Thanks for the great breakfast. This whole roommate thing is working out even better than I thought.
She texts me back with a laughing face and a pink heart emoji.
A heart emoji. Who texts that to people?
Apparently, Lucy.
