Audrey
The car issilent aside from the road noise. The radio isn’t even playing. Justin usually has some sort of music going, whether it’s on the radio or the mixes I burned on CDs for him. The lack of…well, anything…tells me just how frustrated he is with this dad. I swear something crawled up his ass and died there. It’s the only reason I can think of for why he hates me so much. I’m a very likeable person. Even though my classmates will tell you different, because I’m shy and don’t deal with their level of insanity, I’ve never had a single adult despise me the way his dad does.
“Do you want to come in for a bit when you drop me off?” I reach across the console and place my hand in his. I know it’s not much, but maybe it will calm him down some. “You can gather yourself before you have to go home and deal with your dad.”
He gives my hand a squeeze, but his hand on the steering wheel is so tight his knuckles are turning white. “You know if I don’t get home soon, he’ll just lay into me more.”
He’s not wrong, but I hate that his dad is such a jerk. My parents can be strict, but it’s nothing compared to his dad. Some days I’m surprised he still allows Justin to date me. It’s like because he’s had to raise Justin on his own, he doesn’t want anyone else to be happy. Don’t get me wrong, he’s a decent dad, but overbearing. “Sidewalk drop off it is, then.”
“Don’t be upset.” Another squeeze on my hand. Luckily his grip on the wheel has lessened. That’s good. If he goes home as pissed as he was, it’s sure to be another screaming match between them. And I won’t be there to play referee. He may not like me, but he tries his best to not be an ass when I’m around.
“I’m not.” I stare out the window. We pass by house after house until we get closer to mine. The only lights on are the living room and porch. My aunt and uncle’s house, however, is lit up like a Christmas tree. Everyone must be over there. I breathe a sigh of relief. I’ll get a few moments alone. Justin pulls up to my house and puts the car in park. “I guess I’ll talk to you later.”
My hand is on the handle. “Audrey, wait.” He leans over the console and runs his fingers through my hair. He brings me closer to him, and his lips meet mine for the briefest moment. “We have one more year, then we are out of here.”
Nodding my agreement, I open the car door. “Call me later. I love you.”
“I love you, too.” As soon as the door closes, he drives away. One year. That’s all we have left to deal with his dad’s control issues. Until then, we’ll have to make the best of it.
* * *
I unlock the door and close it behind me. Leaning against the door, I sigh. This is not how I expected the night to end. Even with how crazy the lake party was in the beginning; I had gotten over it. Now, I have to sit with this frustration. Knowing that his father will do anything to make any time he spends with me miserable. It was never this bad when we first started dating, but it seems like the closer we get to adulthood the worse he gets. I mean, what the hell does he think is going to happen?
“Why didn’t Justin stick around?” Tiffany’s voice comes from the dark living room.
“Jesus, Tiff.” I jump back, forgetting I’m already leaning against the door, and hit my head against it. “Why the hell are you sitting in the dark like some sort of creeper?”
There’s a click before the lamp beside the sofa switches on. “Oh, did I scare you?” She asks as if she has zero clue that it is even a possibility.
Seriously? “Yes, you scared me. Why aren’t you at your house?” I don’t miss that she didn’t answer my question. The only reason for that could be is that she’s pissed at someone over there. My guess would be Stella. The both of them are overly competitive when it comes to game night.
She huffs and crosses her arms over her chest. “Mom told me to go somewhere and cool down. Apparently, I’m being a pain in the ass.”
“What did you do?” I set my bag down and join her on the sofa. She’s the baby in the family, and she’s used to getting her way. When she doesn’t, or doesn’t win, she develops a pretty crappy attitude. I’m sure my aunt had a good reason for telling her to get herself under control.
Her cheeks are pink, but the evil grin is a sign that she regrets nothing. “I may have pulled Stella halfway across the table when we were playing spoons.”
“That’s it?” That’s normal in our family. They’ve been doing it since we were kids, and honestly, we were more viscous then.
“I may have also pulled the chair out from under her when she was sitting down.” She’s still grinning. She’s one of the most carefree and easy-going people I know, but when it comes to game nights…it’s like she’s possessed by some malevolent spirit. There’s no in-between.
“So, you’ve basically been sent to time out.” She nods. “We can watch a movie or something. I don’t feel like going to game night.”
“You know our parents will be mad if you don’t make an appearance.” She has a point, but right now I don’t really care. I want to zone out and forget that Justin’s dad hates me.
“They’ll get over it.” I get up and head to our DVD collection. “How about a cartoon? I could do with something that has nothing to do with real world problems.”
“Like the reason Justin didn’t stay to hang out, or walk you to the door?” She obviously didn’t forget about that part.
“Yep.” I grab a random movie and put it in the DVD player. “And it’s the usual reason. The one person that manages to put my boyfriend in a foul mood.”
“Ah.” She rushes to the kitchen. “I’m making us some popcorn. Your night was significantly worse than mine.”
Grabbing the blanket off the back of the sofa, I lie down and pull it over me. The opening credits are playing and the sound of tiny pops from the kitchen are the soundtrack to me falling asleep. I think I hear my phone ring, but I can’t be sure I didn’t imagine it. The sun must have gotten to me more than I thought because I cannot keep my eyes open.