Page 15 of Breakout
I give him a short nod.
I knew he wouldn’t be, but Peyton tasted so good. I can still taste her on my tongue. The delay is well worth whatever bullshit my father will pull tonight.
Walking into the dining room, I force a smile on my face.
“Oh, Beckett. I was so worried,” my mother says, what I would assume should be a smile on her face.
Truth is she has had so much Botox that you can’t tell how she feels these days.
She comes over, kissing my cheek, her nails digging into my arm as she whispers, “You’re late. You embarrassed us.”
I pull back from her. “Sorry for my tardiness. Traffic was heavier than usual.”
Father eyes me like he knows I’m lying, but he pastes a large grin on his face. “Beckett here is about to graduate with his bachelor’s in business. Then he is going to come help me run the place. Beckett, come meet Barry and Thelma Jergans. They own the Jergans Corporation. We handle their stock portfolios.”
Walking over to them, I hold out a hand and shake it.“Nice to meet you both.”
“Oh, there she is,” my mother says.
Spinning, I find a tall, blonde woman walking into the room. I frown when I realize she is about my age. This is a setup. I should have known.
“Beckett, come meet Penny. She’s the Jergans’ daughter. She graduated last year and is working at the family business.” Mother motions me over.
I swallow hard but go and shake the woman’s hand.
She smiles at me as she takes me in. She likes what she sees. Why wouldn’t she? I’m handsome, and that’s not being cocky. I’ve been told many times how good I look. Add in the wealth factor, and well, women want me. Even when I don’t want any of them.
“I have heard so much about you. I can’t wait to get to know you better.”
I hate it. I hate her. I hate everything about all of this.
I can’t say that, though. Not yet. So I don’t.
Instead, I let my parents lead us into the dining room where a four-course meal will be served.
As the first course appears, Penny turns to me.
“I hear you are into sports,” she starts.
“Hockey. I play for the Walker University Wolves,” I tell her.
“Oh, that’s impressive,” she says.
“He will be done with that soon. It’s only a hobby of his while he studies. We’ve allowed him his small pleasures, but once he graduates, he will be focused on the business,” my father adds to the conversation.
I grit my teeth, wanting to contradict him. Little does he know, I’m hoping to get drafted. Leave this shitty place behind.
“Oh, that’s too bad. A man in uniform is hot.” Penny gives me a small smile.
“So I’ve heard,” I mumble, eating my soup.
“Not in hockey. Do you realize how many of those Neanderthals lose their teeth? How disgraceful,” my mother says.
“They get all sweaty and have scars too. I don’t understand how anyone could want to subject their bodies to that kind of punishment,” Mrs. Jergan scoffs.
I want to tell them all the shut the fuck up. That if they don’t like it, then too bad. It’s not their life.
I’m stuck though.
