Bad Rep
Page 80

“Wow, look at the time. Don't you have to get over to campus for your tour?” Riley interjected during one of the many awkward silences that filled the kitchen.
“Oh, wonderful! I do so love the campus tours. So fascinating!” My mom enthused, grabbing her purse off the counter and following my dad out the door.
I turned to Riley before leaving. “Thanks for the help in there,” I whispered, so my parents wouldn't hear me.
Riley's eyes widened a bit. “I don't remember your dad being so...um...”
“Dickish?” I added before Riley could finish.
Riley choked on a laugh. “Well, I was going to say intense. But sure, whatever works.” I grabbed my purse and slung it over my shoulder. “Good luck at lunch,” Riley said quietly and I had to suppress a groan. Lunch. I had almost forgotten. Given the mood my dad was in, that was going to be a damn blood bath.
I followed my parents out to their car, a brand new Jeep Cherokee. “Nice car, Dad,” I commented, hopping in the back. My dad adjusted his mirrors and turned the air conditioner on.
“Yes, maybe you'll be able to afford something like this someday. That is if you can get through college without some sort of catastrophe.” Ouch. That hurt.
I bit on my bottom lip to stop myself from yelling at him. Was it any wonder my self-esteem sucked? I had been dealing with this sort of shit my entire life. And my mom just sat there, smiling like he had just commented on the f**king weather.
After the dreaded lunch, I was expected to bring my parents around to the Chi Delta house. Not that I wanted to do that...at all. Not only because things were so tense with the other sisters. But because my parents made no effort to hide how much they despised the whole concept of Greek life.
“Um, Mom, Dad. There's this cook out thing this evening for parents and I thought we could go,” I ventured vaguely.
My mom perked up. “Oh, that sounds lovely. Where is it?” I took a deep breath. Here we go.
“It's at the Chi Delta house,” I let out in a rush. I could see my dad frowning in the review mirror and my mom's mouth formed a little 'o' as she took in what I had just said.
“Well, that sounds...nice,” my mom said hesitantly, looking at my father's reaction.
“A bunch of the sisters will be grilling out. You know hamburgers and hot dogs. That sort of thing. And there will be music. And it's just a way for the parents to see the house and to meet some of the girls,” I hurried on.
My father cleared his throat. “I think we should go,” he said finally.
My mom looked over at him in surprise. I had to say, I was completely shocked as well. “You do?” I asked in a small voice.
My dad nodded his head as we pulled into one of the parking lots on campus. “Yes, I'd like to see what my daughter wastes her money on every month. Should be an eye opening experience,” he bit out dryly.
Okay. I was done with this already. “Dad. Please just go in there with an open mind. I like being a sister. It's important to me. So just don't ruin this for me.” I begged. My voice had gotten high and I hated how much I sounded like a little girl.
But I was relieved to see a momentary softening in my dad's features. He let out a deep breath and met my eyes in the rear view mirror. “Fine, Maysie. I'll have an open mind.” He conceded and my heart did a little tap dance. That was the closest to compromise I had experienced from my father in a long ass time.
And then I remembered I had yet to broach the topic of Jordan with either of them. They had no idea who he was and that he'd be joining us for lunch. Maybe while my dad was being semi agreeable, I should let them know I had a) a boyfriend and b) he was crashing our lunch date.
“So, guys. I wanted to let you know that we would be having company for lunch,” I said lightly as we started heading toward the Administrative building to meet our tour group.
“Oh, is Riley joining us? I really like that girl. Good head on her shoulders,” my dad said gruffly.
I looked at my mom, hoping to get some help from that corner. “Well, no. Riley's meeting up with her mom and dad downtown. Actually, a friend of mine, Jordan Levitt, is coming with us,” I said, then watched my mom and dad process that tidbit of information.
“Jordan Levitt? I've never heard you mention him.” My mom remarked. Well, no duh. I didn't need my relationship picked over the way they picked over everything. Pardon me for wanting to keep something of mine out of their controlling grasp..
“Yeah. We worked together this summer, at Barton's.” I started but my dad interrupted.
“That bar?” he asked sharply. Oh crap. I forgot the bullshit I went through when they found out I was waitressing at a bar. My dad had given me so much grief about that. It didn't matter that I was trying to do the responsible thing. Nope. All my dad had heard was that I working at a bar. And of course, that had just been another example of how I was screwing up my life.
“Uh, yeah. But anyway. He's a senior and we've been seeing each other for a little while.” My dad's jaw tightened. My mom's eyes got wide again. She did that a lot.
“Is he your boyfriend, Maysie?” she asked. I coughed and nodded.
“Oh,” my mom said quietly. I peeked up at my dad. His shoulders were tense but he wasn't yelling at me. So that was a good sign.
“Is that okay? He's really nice and really wants to meet you.” I said quickly. My mom nodded. My dad didn't say anything for a moment and when he decided to speak it was less than heartwarming.