Page 14 of Power Play

“You might be able to get away doing that with Melissa, but not with me. What’s going on?”

“Max has been blowing up my phone lately, trying to get me to go visit my mom. He basically wants me to forget about everything that happened, yet he’s not willing to make any changes to his controlling bullshit. Plus, my mom’s still acting like a doormat and letting him make all the choices for her. He still has her convinced that I’m ruining my life and making one bad decision after another, at least that’s what she tells me.”

Max is frustrating, not because he doesn’t care, but because he doesn’t know how to show it. He thinks making sure I do things the way he wants me to is showing his love, when in reality I’m following my dreams, and he should be proud.

“So, what’d you say?”

“Nothing. I’ve ignored him.” I shrug, walking to the balcony.

We live in one of my favorite parts of New York. I love our view of Central Park and getting to go for runs around there. Especially since there is a little food cart tucked away, where only locals can find it. They make homemade ice cream and have fresh waffle cones. It’s my favorite part about our morning runs—we always finish with ice cream.

Don’t judge me. They have coffee ice cream.

At night though, the views are even prettier. There are lights up all around the park, and you can see the skyline. Cassie and I frequently come out here and have a bottle of wine, whether it’s to relax or to vent. It’s our favorite spot.

Which is probably why she’s out here if we’re talking about this tonight. Soften the blow.

“Honestly, I hate to say this because I know your brother cares in his own fucked up way, but good for you. Your brother is a prick. A controlling prick, and he needs to be knocked down a peg. Or ten,” Cassie says, before clinking her glass with mine.

“I know he is, and I know he needs to hear that. But it still fucking sucks that he doesn’t trust me to make my own choices.”

“I know. I really do. Want me to kick him in the dick for you?” she deadpans.

I can’t help but laugh. This bitch is crazy enough to do it.

“No, but can we change the subject? Have you heard from the girls?”

“Yeah, Melissa said she was still going to meet that guy from the cringe app or whatever it is she’s been on. Apparently, after the last guy, she wants to have an escape plan just in case. So she wants us to be at the bar in like an hour, just in case.”

Our friend Melissa has been on a dating app kick these past couple of weeks. But ever since one of the guys turned out to be a total weirdo and asked if he could smell her deodorant, she’s been sort of creeped out.

“Yeah, I guess that makes sense. Probably not the worst idea. But I refuse to change; what you see is what you get tonight. Honestly, I don’t give a shit tonight.”

Cassie stands up and makes a show of looking me up and down slowly, like she’s checking me out for the first time. She just stands there, smirking and gesturing for me to spin around, which, surprisingly, I do for her.

“I’d still do you,” she says before walking towards the door inside with her glass of wine. “Now let’s head to the bar early. I want a shot and to kick your ass at pool.”

“Yeah, you wish.”

Looking down, I’m glad I’m at least wearing one of my cuter outfits, with a black tee and matching beanie and my favorite jeans that are just a tad too tight and ripped to be considered appropriate for everyday wear. My worn-out black Converse have seen better days, but they’re comfy and good for walking around campus, so they’ll work for the bar we’re going to tonight.

Guess it’s time to go scope out the new weirdo Melissa found this time.

* * *

Once we get to the bar, Cassie and I immediately grab a shot and head to the pool table to wait for everyone else. By the time Melissa shows up for her date, I’ve already kicked Cassie’s ass at pool three times, each time sending her to buy us another round of shots. When Gwen showed up, she decided to play some music but ends up in a jukebox battle with a guy determined to hear only country music. Gwen, on the other hand, hates country music and only wants to hear alternative rock, so when he put on “Achy Breaky Heart,” she shrieked and ran back to get more quarters.

“Want to play another round? Except this time, the winner buys some greasy food. At the rate we’re taking these shots, we’ll be asleep by ten,” I say as Cassie keep her eye on Melissa with her date. At least this one is going better, she seems like she’s actually enjoying herself.

“Where’s Gwen? Have her play this round. I’m heading to the bathroom. But I’ll order some fries and get us another round of drinks for when we play again.”

“She’s still over at the jukebox, trying to cancel out all the Garth Brooks and Carrie Underwood that dude keeps playing. I’ll wait for her here though, it’s entertaining to watch. When you grab that stuff, would you order some nachos, too? Pleaseee,” I whine.

“Yeah, I guess. Needy bitch,” she grumbles, walking away.

“Yeah, well…we both know you were going to lose the next round anyway.”

After Cassie leaves to the bathroom, I stand against the pool table and people watch, which happens to be my favorite thing ever. Growing up, Max and I used to do this whenever we were out in public. We would try to make up people’s life stories and decide what job we thought fit them. Max always came up with these ridiculous stories and random ass jobs that would have us cracking up. I think he did it on purpose just to make me laugh.

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