Page 4 of Play It Sinful

Kenzie elbows my arm. “Help her, Sean.”

“Nah. She’s doing fine.” I walk out of the house and don’t bother to hold the door open for her.

I don’t want to get to know Ashley or be her friend. I hate the fact that we’re in Birchen Beach only because of her. Dad said this Ashley’s favorite place. He didn’t even ask Kenzie or me if we wanted to come.

Kenzie must have opened the door for Ashley, because she follows close behind me. Dad turns and frowns. “Why didn’t you help Ash with those boxes, son?”

I shrug. “She didn’t ask for help.”

“It’s okay, Chris. I got it,” she replies. “Besides, I don’t think Sean could carry them anyway.”

“Are you saying I’m weak?” I grit out.

She sets them down, then shrugs. “No, only that I’m stronger than you.”

Who does this little nothing think she is?

“Let’s find out. I dare you to an arm-wrestling contest.”

“No dares,” Dad interjects. “Sean... come on. Be nice.”

My brows arch. “Why’s it my fault? She insulted me!”

“I didn’tinsultyou,” she retorts. “Geez, someone is insecure.”

“I’mnotinsecure!”

“Okay, kids. Let’s drop this and have a good meal together, okay?” Marnie chimes in. “Then later we can play one of the games in those boxes.”

“Go on, everyone please sit down,” Dad says, holding a big plate full of burgers and hotdogs. My stomach grumbles. I haven’t eaten anything since the disgusting plane food.

I take the chair to Dad’s right, across from Marnie. Kenzie sits next to me, and Ashley across from her next to her mom.

I’m about to grab a piece of corn, when Dad reaches for my hand and Marnie’s. Crap. I forgot he likes to say a quick prayer before a meal. Mom never bothers with it anymore. I’m sure she only did it because of Dad.

His prayer seems to take forever. Now I’m hungryandannoyed.

Someone’s stare burns a hole in my face, and I turn to Ashley. I want to ask what she’s looking at, but if I open my big mouth and interrupt Dad, he’ll be mad. She can’t hold my stare though. Maybe she’s all bark and no bite. I’ll test that later. Right now I just want to stuff my face. As soon as Dad finishes saying thanks, I reach for the food and fill my plate with some of everything.

“Geez, Sean. Hungry much?” Kenzie teases.

“Yeah,” I mumble with my mouth full.

“Everything is delicious, darling,” Dad tells Marnie, smiling from ear to ear.

I’ve never seen him look at Mom the way he looks at her. The food suddenly becomes heavy in my belly, and I don’t feel like eating anymore. I think my parents’ divorce was the right thing to do, but at the same time, I hate that it happened. Seeing him so happy with his new girlfriend while I have to live in London is hard. I could have stayed with him in Boston, but Kenzie wanted to live with Mom, and I didn’t want to be separated from my sister, on top of all the changes.

“What’s the matter, Sean? You don’t like the food?” Marnie asks.

“The food is fine.” I push my plate forward. “I guess I wasn’t as hungry as I thought.”

“It must be jetlag,” she replies.

“Yeah. Must be.” I slouch in the chair, wondering when I can escape the dinner table.

Dad wipes his mouth with the napkin, then takes Marnie’s hand. “Should we tell them now?”

Marnie nods. “Yes.”

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