Wanted Always (Xander Barns) by Sarah Tork Read Free Book Online Page B

she get it as quickly?
    If I ever use that response, if her face
contorts into confused disgust, I’ll know she gets it.
    What a pity. I want to see her ‘calm’
façade spiked with something more real. I don’t mind getting the ugly truth
from people; at least I’ll know where I stand instead of us all being fake to
one another. If you hate me, I want to know so I can hate you back. It’s the
only way in life, in my opinion.
    “You don’t work at Dairy Queen anymore, do
you?” Gwen asks.
    “No, I quit five months ago,” I tell her.
    “So where do you work now?” Gwen asks
next.
    “At a place near my house,” I answer while
using every ounce of control I have not to laugh at the conundrum I’ve been
placed in. I’m zigzagging, giving no clear answer for them to sink their claws
into and destroy me with their ‘opinions’.
    “That’s nice; that’s great, Libby. You
must love all the extra room you’ve got now, don’t you?” Gwen turns to Mom,
changing her line of questioning to her now that she sees I’m not going to give
her a clear answer. Perhaps asking Mom questions that involve me would be a
better tactic in exposing me for who I really am. Discreetly, of course,
neither of them would actually want to show what kind of people they really
are.
    Mean bitches.
    “Yes, it was dreadful before. The basement
was too cramped; especially since the twins wanted a few game tables. So we
just cleared some things and put them in Marisa’s old room,” Mom responds,
wide-eyed.
    “That’s great; good use of space,” I tell
them, pretending to agree. I know what they are trying to do, and it isn’t
going to work.
    Try a new tactic ladies; it’ll take more
than a few digs on personal space to knock this girl.
    Even if it had been my room for most of my
life; but nevertheless, I can’t be bothered. I remember, all of a sudden, that
Dad is still here with us, discussing things that aren’t really what we’re
actually talking about. I turn my gaze toward him and see he’s in the middle of
finishing his drink.
    “Ladies, I’m off. Back to the guys,” Dad
says as he puts down the now empty cup.
    “Of course, darling, go enjoy yourself,”
Mom gushes, a little out of her normal character. Probably putting on a front
for her dearest friend, pulling a stupid façade that screams, ‘I take care of
my husband, and I don’t belittle him when it comes to our children. And no, he
doesn’t act like a bitch when it’s just us because, after all, he’s the man of
the house, and has the balls in our family’.
    Yeah, right!
    Dad turns to me before making his way back
to his rowdy friends. “Marisa, we’ll have a talk later, okay?”
    “Alright. Don’t worry, Dad, I’m not going
to run anywhere anytime soon,” I tell him, totally ignoring the other two.
    Dad nods, and I chuckle as he quickly
turns to the open bar to get a new drink. He should have some fun; this is his
party. He should be having lots and lots of fun. The spot I’m in is the no-fun
zone. Even at a party where it’s a requirement to be constantly laughing and
soaking in the good vibes, I’m stuck in a horribly hidden interrogation with
the terrible twosome.
    A.K.A. The Piranha Squad.
    I reluctantly return my gaze back to the
discerning eyes of my inquisitors to find Gwen eyeballing my entire body a bit
too long and a bit too obviously. When her eyes finally settle back on to my
face, she seems confused. I can tell by the way her eyes narrow, unconvinced
for some reason.
    Like there has to be a reason as to why I
look nice, for once.
    “That is a lovely dress, Marisa. And the
shoes are spectacular!” Gwen gushes, as her eyes widen in mock excitement.
    They really are amazing. And if you’re
faking it right now, you’re an idiot, because there are two things here that I
have no doubts about, and that’s how amazingly beautiful the shoes and dress
are.
    So don’t even go there, bitch. Don’t
pretend to like something that you try to