Page 85 of Force a Date

Never.

Ever.

Nonetheless, he’s not bad to look at. Dirty blond hair but I think that’s the only rebellious or dangerous thing about him.

Spencer is a clean-cut, cookie-cutter version of a doormat. It’s no wonder Mom and Norah like him so much. I believe anything I asked of him, he’d agree. If I wanted to paint my walls hot pink, he’d tell me what an amazing idea that was. If I wanted to go live in a shacktown, he’d ask me how shitty I wanted the house to look like.

No brain or thoughts of his own. He’s led by his significant other and that’s not a turn-on for me.

What is has tattoos, a big mouth, and a dick that loves to fuck me, but he’s still trying to pull away from me.

I don’t mind not committing to dating right now but this back-and-forth bullshit is getting on my last nerve.

Mom is fiddling with her cell phone as she attempts to prep herself for a picture. Her long red nails tapping one at a time with her index finger as she tries to find her camera. “Aw, Spencer, you’re so sweet. Isn’t he, Olive?”

I glance over at Dad for help, immersed in his football game, and I just want them all to leave. “Hey, Dad. Where’s that cake you bought me?”

“Olive,” I hear my mother force through clenched teeth. I’ve only heard my name said like that a million and two times. “Come on, honey. Give me a smile.”

“I need to pee.” Craning my head to look toward Mom and the direction of the bathroom, she glowers at me.

I honestly could give zero fucks.

“Can it wait?”

I push out my lips and toss the shitty sweater to the couch, then turn my attention to Spencer. “Do you mind?”

He beams at me. All polite and shit. “Of course not.”

Oops. Sorry, Mom. My alleged new husband said I could actually do something.

“I’ll be right back.”

Striding away from my so-called family, I amble out of the living room and take my first real breath.

My birthday is supposed to be my day and I feel crowded and pressured. Like I told Mia earlier, I’m done. No longer am I going to be put into emotional turmoil over people that don’t really care about what I want. With Dad, I’m going to need to figure it out. But I won’t keep doing this.

My phone buzzes, giving me a well-needed distraction, and I find the last name I thought I’d see after he gave me the cold shoulder all day.

HUDSON: Come outside, Opie.

I mindlessly scoff.

This dude is actually serious. He can shun me all day then order me to come see him?

LIV: Go fuck yourself.

HUDSON: I’d rather fuck you.

LIV: Not interested.

Barricading myself in the bathroom, I sit on the edge of the tub and drag in a deep inhale.

HUDSON: You want me to come and get you, little one? I’ll beat the shit out of your date and spank you over my knee while he watches.

LIV: Bye, Hudson.

HUDSON: See you in a second, sweetheart.

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