AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Yeah, it’s a work thing.” I nod, knowing that the fewer details I give the better. I’ll admit, Shane and Autumn were right in some ways. I definitely have always gotten away with more. In my early teens, I could sleep over at any of my friend’s houses without a ton of pushback. I had a later curfew and I rarely got grounded for breaking it. Which I did often.
By the time I was eighteen, my parents were ready to be empty nesters and spent most of that year traveling around Europe then Africa and then Asia. I threw so many parties that year. Even now, my parents treat me like I’m just a third roommate who just happens to not pay any bills and have made zero comments about me needing to move anytime soon. Shane and Autumn had three months to get their lives together before they were pushed out the door.
Maybe I am the favorite?
“On a weekend?” She crosses her arms as if to say yeah right. “Don’t lie to me.”
“It’s for team building. All the new hires were invited. We are even going to see Hamilton.”
Her mouth drops open and she puts a hand over her chest. “You’re kiddin’! Your Dad and I saw it in its first run. Fabulous.” She claps. “I thought tickets were sold out?”
“Beckham Securities has a box.”
“Okay, fancy!” She pushes her glasses into her hair before making her way towards me. “What are you wearing?”
“No clue.” I sigh. “There’s like four different dresses in here. I guess, I just have to see what everyone’s wearing.” Or whichever one makes Chris lose his mind.
She nods in understanding before running her fingers through my hair. “What about your hair?”
“What about it?” I run my fingers through the curls and hold a few strands under my nose. “I just washed it today.”
“Oh, that’s why.” She nods before she scrunches her nose. “You know your hair always looks better on day two.”
“Thanks.” Sarcasm drips from my voice as I follow her to the kitchen.
“You have time to eat before you go?”
“Oh, I’m going to eat in New York. There’s a dinner!” I say. At least, I haven’t had to lie too much.
“Okay. Well, when will you be back? Sunday?”
“Yep.” I grab a bottle of water from the fridge. “I’m getting picked up in about twenty minutes,” I say as nonchalantly as possible so that maybe she’ll think it’s just an Uber.
“Okay, well make good choices. Have fun. Be careful. Take pictures. Let us know when you get there, please. Are you taking the train?” she says all in one breath.
“No…we’re driving.”
“Driving.” She scrunches her nose again. “Why?”
Fuck, I should have said the train. “They just thought it would be fun.”
She narrows her eyes. “Driving…into the city…on a Friday night…? Who in the world thought that would be fun?”
“Mom, it’ll be fine.”
“It just seems silly when the train is an option and you can have a drink.” My parents have become the life of the party in their older age and have the mindset of nineteen-year-olds where every activity requires a pregame.
“Again, I’m going for work and I’m new. I’m not planning to be hammered the whole weekend.”
She shrugs. “Well, your father and I are going bowling. Did you know on Friday nights it’s Cosmic Bowling!?”
“Yes, mother, I know.”
“Ah, it feels like my youth. Bowling and cheap pitchers of beer.”
“Mom, you don’t even drink beer.”I chuckle.
“I know,” she scrunches her nose. “Maybe I’ll just bring a bottle of Pinot Grige with me. Oh! Can I borrow your green Gucci bag since it’s neon? I feel like it will go with the vibe I’m going for.” She swings her hips from side to side and I roll my eyes before letting out a chuckle.
