Page 92 of Chasing Lynda

“Hey! What’s that supposed to mean?” Lynda reacts to Bennett’s statement. Are you trying to slut shame us? I have daddy issues and ...”

She pulls at her tight, short skirt as she rises from her perch on the couch.

Before Bennett can smooth talk his way out of the trouble he just caused with his big mouth, I let my eyes skim over Lynda’s body without hiding my appreciation. “There’s nothing wrong with either of you, Lynda.” I offer her my hand, ushering her toward the living room door. “Short skirts and daddy issues, is how I prefer my girls!” I chuckle, swatting playfully at her perky butt as she walks past me.

Lynda stops in her tracks, narrowing her eyes at me; I offer her a lopsided smile, hoping that she knows that I was just trying to lighten the mood.

Fortunately she giggles, stopping by the front door until I’m by her side. “Someone is in a mischievous mood tonight.”

My smile widens as my eyes lock onto hers. “Is that a problem?” I ask.

“No. I think I really like your fun side.”

That makes me feel all warm and fuzzy and I wrap one arm around her shoulders for the short walk to the Hayworths’ property.

21.

The Champion

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Lynda

I HAVEN’T BEEN TO A proper party since the summer after my senior year.

It was a hard summer. I thought I’d be able to finally win Kelley’s heart but I had to watch him fall for Ausra.

At the same time, my parents became more and more observant of the crazy rules of the cult they kept calling a church.

By the end of that summer, rather than packing up to move to New York, to attend NYU like I’d always dreamed, I was forced to wear those long skirts and bonnets. I was forced to let a doctor examine me to confirm that I was “pure,” and I was given no choice but to accept an engagement with a man I didn’t even know.

All under the guise of earning more freedom if I followed the path to “enlightenment.”

I haven’t been to a party since Kelley’s birthday two summers ago, so I feel a little disoriented when we enter the mansion that belongs to Dodge’s neighbors.

The music is loud and the lights are dimmed; some people are dancing in the huge living room but the real party is outside in the backyard where I hear people cheering.

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