“Oh, that reminds me.” Park’s eyes light up as he turns to Diane. “Did I tell you what I found out?”
“No, what is it?” She sends me a quick look, like she knows what Park is about to reveal will blow my mind.
“Rhett’s new girlfriend isn’t what she seems.” Park literally rubs his hands together. I hate how much he’s enjoying revealing this surprise. “She has a secret career.”
“Do tell,” Diane says encouragingly.
“Shut up, Park,” I tell my brother menacingly, but he barely acknowledges me. “Want me to let Dad in on what I know about you two?”
“You wouldn’t dare,” Diane says, her voice friendly, but her eyes are dark and full of hatred.
“See, you do know about your precious Jensen,” Park says, pointing at me. “I knew it. I bet that’s how you two met.”
“Where does she work?” Diane asks Park.
“It kept bothering me, how her face was so familiar. I knew I’d seen her somewhere before, I just couldn’t figure out where.” Park chuckles. “Until it all came together, when I saw her walking in that sexy dress she’s wearing tonight.”
“Park,” Diane says, her tone a warning.
He waves a dismissive hand, dismissing her. “Anyway, I realized that I’ve seen her at a strip club. She actually works at that one place on the outskirts of town, City Lights.”
Diane rests her hand on her chest, as if she’s scandalized. “Are you telling me Rhett’s new little girlfriend is a stripper?”
I’m about to go off on these two when the bathroom door swings open and out walks Jensen. “I’m not a stripper,” she says, walking right up to Park so she can poke him in the chest with her index finger. “I’m a cocktail waitress.”
“Yeah, a topless cocktail waitress,” Park adds, his gaze meeting Diane’s.
“Is there any difference?” Diane drawls, sending Jensen a withering glare.
Jensen sucks in a sharp breath, shaking her head and sniffing loudly. She glances over at me, her expression pained, her eyes glassy with unshed tears, before she turns to face Diane. “I hate you,” she spits out before she runs away.
“Aw, I guess I hurt your girlfriend’s feelings,” Diane coos, making Park laugh.
“You’re such a bitch, Diane,” I tell her as I start to follow after Jensen.
“Hey, wait a minute.” Park grabs my arm, and I jerk out of his hold. “You can’t call her names.”
“Fuck off, Park. Jesus.” I leave the two idiots and search the crowded house for Jensen, but I don’t spot her anywhere. Her reaction toward Diane was strong. She’s been worried about Diane since she first met my family, and I don’t quite get her fixation with my stepmother. Though Diane has been totally awful to her, so I get why Jensen is so hurt.
Fucking Park and his big mouth. I’m tempted to tell Dad about Diane and Park’s affair, but what good will that do? And it’s like Park knows I’ll keep my mouth shut, while he can say whatever the hell he wants.
It’s so goddamn unfair.
I head for the front door, which suddenly swings open to reveal my uncle Craig making his grand late entrance, as usual. He’s my father’s younger half-brother, the life of every party, the rich womanizer, the guy Park and I looked up to when we were kids.
Now everything he does just seems kind of sleazy.
“Rhett! What’s up, buddy?” He approaches me with a wide smile, a pretty blonde trailing after him. He wraps me up in a bear hug and I disengage as fast as possible, unable to breathe after inhaling his strong cologne.
“Just about to leave, Uncle Craig,” I tell him, sending him a regretful look, my gaze searching everywhere for Jensen.
“No way. You should stay for a little while longer. We can catch up. It’s been a while.” He pats me on the shoulder. “You’re looking good. Heard you got a new girl.”
“Yeah.” I say the word slowly, wondering if my father told him about Jensen. If so, that was fast. They only just met a few days ago. “Speaking of my new girl, I need to go find her. Maybe we can talk another time.”
“Sounds good. And she’s right outside, I think,” Craig says easily, patting me on the shoulder before he starts to walk away. “I’ll see you at Thanksgiving.”
“See ya,