I saw ahead on this one and I can’t help the small smile that grows when I inform him. “No, it won’t. I transferred off of your plan onto my own service. Unless you have something else you want to threaten me with, just go.”
His cheeks redden and he glances around at the small crowd hanging on our every word. Indecision is written in every line of his face, but finally, he snaps at Mom. “Get in the car. We’re going.”
Serena and Zara wander over to join Remee and a few others on the sidewalk. When I start toward the apartment, wanting to put this whole ugly scene behind me, Serena grabs my arm.
“Wait,” she says softly.
My father backs out first and when he pulls away, I see a sign taped to the back of his car. Driver loves cock. Honk if you want a threesome.
“Oh my god,” I snort, and laughter fills the air around me.
Though he’s had every chance to notice it, Stanley doesn’t glance that way, and Dad has made it far enough away now that he can’t see it. His eyes are on me as he backs the car up and pulls out of the spot, probably still in shock he didn’t get what he wanted.
When he pulls away, cheers are added to the laughter, and I cover my mouth at the sight of the sign affixed to the back of what is no longer my car.
Fist me like a Muppet. I love it.
“That one was my idea,” Serena says through her laughter.
I’m screwed without that car. I have a job and school to get to and no idea now how to manage it, but at the moment, I can’t even bring myself to care. When things are all falling apart around you, sometimes all you can do is laugh, then scoop up the pieces and try to fix it.
I can do this.
Chapter Four
Kelly
A downside of living in a small or moderate sized town is the lack of public transportation. There are no buses, only taxis and Rideshare, which will get expensive real fast. My new job isn’t far, only a couple of miles down the road in a small shopping plaza. School is farther. It would be a long walk, but not a bad bike ride.
As much as I hate dipping into my limited savings, I don’t see another option, so Remee gives me a ride to the Supercenter to shop for a bicycle. I find one that isn’t too expensive and grab a few other items I assume I’ll be needing now, like a lunch box and a backpack. I won’t be able to stop by my car between classes to grab a book anymore.
The lack of a car will make me spend more time on the campus, since I have some time gaps between classes that won’t be worth riding all the way back home for. Hopefully, I’ll have time to make it home and dump my books before going to work.
While I’m chaining my new bike to the back of our apartment, Serena sticks her head out of the back door. “Change of plans. Party is moving to the guys’ apartment. We’re going to Rideshare over so we can still get wasted. Go get ready.”
I glance down at the jeans and t-shirt I’m wearing. Yeah, I guess I should change. What are you supposed to wear to a college party held in an apartment? Is it like you see on TV with beer pong, half naked girls, couples making out everywhere and guys sucking beers through a funnel and hose?
A pair of dark shorts and tight tank top are what I settle on. I may not have huge boobs to display, but my stomach is nice and flat. Might as well show it off. My long red hair is up in a high ponytail, leaving a few strands to hang around my face. Mom acted like she was meeting a swamp monster or something, but I’m satisfied with what I see when I take a final look in the mirror.
My skin is perpetually pale, but the sun has covered my nose and cheeks in the tiniest of pink freckles, giving my face a rosier hue. The bright blue eyes that have stared back at me since childhood haven’t changed or dimmed, and I’ve put on a few pounds that fill out my ass and thighs since I don’t have anyone judging me over what I eat.
“Car’s here!” Zara shouts, and I quickly grab my phone, bank card, and driver’s license, shoving them into my pocket. I don’t want to keep track of a purse all night and I have a bad habit of losing things when I drink.
The apartment complex where the party is being held is across town, about twenty minutes away. Serena starts filling me in on the guys who live there.
“Owen is the goofy one. He’s nice, but a total clown. Marty will absolutely hit on you. Don’t fall for it. He hits on anything with a wet spot. He’s fun and nice and everything, but a total man whore. Graham is the boring one.”
“You mean the responsible one,” Remee interjects.
“He’s the dad of the group,” Zara clarifies. “All of the guys are great, though. They’re sure to have a houseful. It’s a good opportunity to meet some guys and see if there’s anyone you’re interested in.”
“Don’t feel pressured,” Remee says. “You don’t have to find Prince Charming at your first house party. Just have fun.”
Fun. Right. I can do that.
As soon as the door to the apartment is thrown open, I hear my name. “Kelly!”
It’s Owen from Adulting Club. The guy who kept joking with Mr. Aldrich. I should’ve made that connection when I heard his name. “Hey.”
All three girls’ heads swivel to look at me. “He’s in my after school club. I didn’t realize it was the same Owen.”
“What club?” Remee asks as we step inside.
“Oh, uh, it’s a club that teaches life skills like how to change a tire, stuff like that.”
The loud music when we enter kills the conversation, and I glance around the apartment. There aren’t as many people as I thought there might be, but enough to make me feel out of place and a little nervous. Some mill around, drinks in hand, while others gather around the couch, watching two guys play a video game.
Zara grabs my arm and pulls me along to the kitchen with them. “Come on, let’s grab a drink.”
It’s not quite as loud in here and there’s more than enough alcohol to choose from. Bottles cover the small counter. Zara has to shift around bottles of beer and wine in the fridge to add the drinks we brought.
With a grin, she turns back around and hands me a tiny plastic cup. “Jell-O shots!”
“Grab me one,” Owen calls to her, and hops up to sit on the kitchen counter. The guy standing beside him smiles at me.
“Hi, I’m Graham.”
“Kelly. Nice to meet you.”
We all take the shot and once I swallow, I notice Owen staring at me. “Huh. I wouldn’t have pegged you for a partier.”
“I’m not, really.”
Graham shakes his head at Serena, a smile on his face. “Are you corrupting her?”
She points at him while handing me another shot. “Don’t start with me. I’m not a bad influence.”
Owen snorts. “Says the chick who works at a breastaurant.”
“Where I make more money than you,” Serena says in a syrupy sweet voice.
“Where’s Marty?” Zara asks. “I didn’t see any guy nipples on our way in.”
“He went to get ice.”
Zara grins at the questioning look I throw her. “Any time there’s an attractive woman in the vicinity, off comes Marty’s shirt.”