Page 72 of Dash

I look over at her and stare into her beautiful brown, golden eyes. Her long hair is down and a little windblown from having the windows cracked, but I like it the best when it’s a little messy. She has a black, sleeveless, button-down shirt on with a pair of white jean shorts and a pair of black high heels. She looks classy yet comfortable. But it won’t matter what she wears, my parents will still hate her.

“Nothing,” I say, picking her hand up and kissing her knuckles. “Ready?”

She nods and gives me a big smile. I wish I could warn her how awful this dinner is going to be; I would, but I don’t wanna worry her. So instead, I let go of her hand and get out of my car. Walking around to the passenger door, I open it up and help her out.

“Well, aren’t you a gentleman?” she says playfully hitting me on the shoulder. “If I remember correctly, last time I saw you here, you were nothing close to a gentleman.”

I laugh. “I can’t be bad all the time.”

“Guess not,” she says as I walk her up the stairs. I twist the doorknob and push one of the stained glass doors open. I walk right in, pulling her behind me. As I enter the kitchen, I can’t help the smile that spreads across my face as I remember meeting her in here the first time. She was so feisty. Bitchy. And the most beautiful thing I had ever seen, and now she’s all mine.

“Hello, Erik,” my mother says as she wipes off her hands and starts to walk toward me. I allow Tabatha to pull away in order to hug her. For us to act like we are actually a loving family.

“Mother…” I say but come up with nothing else.

She pulls away, and her gray eyes, I got my eyes from her, look from me to Tabatha. She smiles, but it’s a half smile. That’s all she knows how to give. “Who is your girl, Erik?” she asks already pushing me out of the way and stepping up to her.

“Tabatha,” she says happily and holds out her right hand. “Tabatha Knight.”

My mother stops midstride and turns to look at me. “Are you dating your boss’s daughter?” she asks accusingly. But she knows the truth. She saw the headlines and the pics. She just likes to put on shows.

“I am,” I say carelessly, and her eyes narrow on me. Here we go.

Tabatha goes to speak, but my father decides to join us. “Hello, son,” he says giving me a pat on the back. That’s as close to hugging we get.

“How was your trip?” I ask as I go to the fridge, grabbing Tabatha a water and myself a beer. She already told me earlier that she didn’t wanna drink any alcohol tonight.

“It was great. Such beautiful real estate in Venus,” he says, and I nod as if I would know.

“How’s racing coming along?” my mother asks as if she cares. The three of us know she doesn’t. Not really. She’s just trying to look good in front of Tabatha.

“Great.”

Tabatha places her arm in the crook of mine, and she smiles brightly. “His first race is in a few days. You guys should come.”

She sounds so proud of me. So happy to see me succeed. The amount of faith she has in me almost hurts. I’ve been the one to push myself. Some call me cocky; I call it determination. No one else has ever wanted me to succeed or ask what I wanted to do with my life. Not until Mr. Knight. And he didn’t even ask. He just offered me my dream. But I would give up that dream for my world. Thankfully, she chooses to stand beside me.

“I believe we will be out of town,” my mother says as she gestures for all of us to sit at the table.

“Didn’t you just return?” Tabatha asks, and I can see my mother’s eyes narrow on her.

“They travel quite a bit,” I inform her as I pull out her seat.

“Oh,” she says softly. “That would be fun,” she adds with a smile. “I’ve always wanted to travel the world. Do you have to travel for business?” she questions as she places a napkin on her lap.

“For pleasure,” my mother responds. Tabatha looks over at me with a look of confusion on her face as if to ask why can’t they cancel their next trip to see you race? I give her a soft smile and then reach for my beer.

I just take a drink when my mother speaks. “How is Valerie, Erik?”

I start to choke on it, and I slam my fist into my chest thinking it will help, but it doesn’t. “Busy,” I say through a cough.

My mother frowns as she sits across from me. “We had dinner with her parents yesterday. They said she’s been going through a rough time.” I bet she is. She’s probably hiding out thinking she is gonna get her ass kicked next. “You should call her.” She looks over at Tabatha. “Maybe offer her to go out to dinner with you guys. I’m sure she’d love to meet Tabatha.”

“We’ve met,” Tabatha answers flatly as I try to regain my voice.

My mother gives her a big smile. “Isn’t she adorable? She is the best.” She goes on and on as I burn holes in her with my eyes. They always thought I would marry her. That’s only because they found it convenient. They are best friends with Valerie’s parents; therefore, we were destined together.

“She’s…something,” Tabatha says with a fake smile of her own. And I grab for my beer again. This is exactly why I have been ignoring my mother.

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