Page 66 of The Longshot

After today I’ve officially decided that I never want to get married—ever. And it’s not the principle of marriage that’s led me to this conclusion. It’s the sheer amount of work that goes into putting together such an elaborate event.

I’m left baffled by the fact that my parents have not only done this once, but are willingly doing it again. This time, bigger.

They’re completely nuts—but they’re in love, and even if I have spent my entire day arranging centerpieces, I’d happily do it all again just to know that I’ve played a small role in being able to celebrate a lifetime's worth of happiness.

“Chelsie?” Mum shouts over to me from the kitchen, where she and Dad have taken the liberty to prepare supper.

“Yeah?” I call back out, sealing off the last of the invitations and tossing them to the side. “What’s up?”

“Someone is at the door, love,” Mum reveals. “Do you mind answering it? The food will be ready soon.”

I peer over my shoulder and in the direction of the doorway. I’d been so consumed with listening to music to help pass the time by that I hadn’t even heard anyone knock.

“Sure thing,” I stand up from the ground, wiping off some dust along my trousers, and skip my way over to the door before swinging it open. Only when I do, the person standing there is the last person I imagine it would be.

“Chelsie.”

Simon.

“Wow,” he remarks sadistically. “Fancy seeing you here, huh?” Simon’s eyes may be full of devious delight, but his tone tells me that me being here is of no surprise.

I gulp, and without so much as a second thought, I attempt to close the door on him, but only he catches it within the palm of his calloused hand and forces it back open.

“Now, now, that’s not any way to treat a guest now, is it, Chelsie?”

I shoot him a troubling glare, stumbling as I cling to the door for dear life. “A guest?” I repeat after him in disbelief. “What the hell are you talking about?”

I do a terrible job at attempting to lower my voice, leading my mum to call out, “Chelsie? Is everything okay?”

Simon beats me to a response as he pushes his way past me and steps inside. “You didn’t know?” He slides off his jacket and kicks off his shoes far too comfortably for my liking.

“Know what?” I’m reluctant to ask. Even more reluctant to pursue this conversation.

“That your mum and dad invited me over for tea. They thought it would be nice for us all to be together again. You know, like old times.”

I shake my head. No way. There’s no way my parents would do that to me. Why would they do that to me? I decided at the very last possible second that I would be coming here. Did they really call up Simon just to let him know? What is this? A ploy to get us back together? They know we broke up.

I can’t seem to wrap my head around things almost as much as I can’t seem to comprehend the fact that Simon is attempting to caress my cheek as he leans in to say, “You look lovely.”

I feel like I’m about to be sick as I push his cold hand aside just in time for my mum to round the corner.

“Simon!” she cheers, arms wide. “You made it.”

“Sarah!” He reciprocates the hug, yet as he leans in for a kiss, I can’t help but notice the taunting look he shoots me over her shoulder.

I can’t believe this is happening.

“It’s so wonderful to see you.” He pulls back innocently. “Thank you so much again for the invite, you look great, in fact, I was just telling Chelsie the exact same thing. Wasn’t I, darling?”

Mum’s too busy blushing at Simon's flattery to see the look of complete betrayal smitten along my face.

“She’s just so beautiful, isn’t she?” She pinches a hold of my cheek, forcing me to wince out a smile. “Her new hair is just gorgeous. So different, don’t you think, Simon?” She delicately runs her hand through my bangs, seeking his approval. “Hm?”

“Oh, absolutely,” he agrees, despite the fact that that was nowhere near his initial reaction. What a bloody liar.

That’s when it hits me.

Simon’s playing dumb, though it’s hardly an act for him, yet it’s clear as day that he’s acting like this is the first time he’s seen me. He’s trying to use my parents to his advantage. Play them against me.

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