“Presley, stop. You know-”
I cut my mother off. “No, you stop. You both stop right now because I’m tired of this. I bet you don’t know anything about me.”
“That’s not true.” Dad’s voice is stern.
“Really? Well then, let’s play ‘Who knows Presley?’”
“What?” They say at the same time.
“Yep, let’s play ‘Who knows Presley?’”
“Enough-” My father tries to stop me.
“No!” I shout and they are taken aback. “No!” I point my finger at him. My blood is boiling with anger and hurt from all the years
of Trevor being their prize child, and I was invisible. “What day does Trevor take Econ?”
“Pres-” Mom starts.
“Answer me!” I slam my hand so hard on the table that I thought I broke my hand, and I see Marley jump. I look at Trevor and he is looking at the floor. I can feel his pain from all the way over here.
There is silence before Dad says, “Tuesdays and Thursdays.”
I nod. “How many goals did he score last season?”
Silence before Mom says, “42.”
“Name one class that I’m taking.” They both look at each other, and I know they can’t answer it. “Okay, here is an easy one. How many classes am I taking?” There is more silence.
“Presley.” Dad’s voice is low.
“No!” I shout again. “How many of Trevor’s games last season did you miss?”
“I missed a couple,” my dad says.
“Who was the only person at the finish line of the marathon Marley and I ran last year?” Again, my parents look at each other. They had no clue that we trained for months to run the New York Marathon. “Trevor was. Trevor has been the only person, besides Marley, that cares about me, my whole life.” I look up, and Trevor has tears in his eyes. “And now, I have Levi. Because you two have never been there for me.” The tears begin to stream down my face.
“Sweetheart-” Mom has tears in her eyes.
“No, it’s too late. I’m not even sure if you know that I exist. Of course, unless I need money.” I shoot a dirty look at Dad.
“Presley, it’s not like that, at all.”
“I don’t care. I don’t care anymore. Because I bet you can’t even remember the last time you said you love me.” For the first time in my life, my father drops his head. I can’t handle it anymore. I push past them both and rush to bedroom. I collapse on my bed, sobbing. All the years of pain and feeling alone pour out of me.
Chapter Eight
Levi
Watching the faces of Presley’s parents while all of that just happened, I’m pissed. Now, they are standing around looking a bit dumbfounded.
In a low, stony voice, I say to her parents, “All she wants is to be acknowledged for who she is as an individual and to be accepted. She’s a wonderful, independent woman, but you don’t know that because you won’t give her the chance to show you. You both should be ashamed for making her feel like what she feels is not right or not how it really is. We all know damn well how you treat Presley. She’s your child, just like Trevor.
“There is so much more I want to say, but I’ll stop for now. If you don’t mind, could you get the hell out of her apartment?” I look at everyone in the room. “I’ll walk you all to the door.” When no one goes to move, I do. Reaching the door leading out of her apartment, I open it and wait with a glare to her parents. Trevor and Marley are the first to move and thank God, her parents do too. I would hate to have to force them to leave.
I lock the door behind them and go straight to the bedroom, the sound of muffled sobs easily heard. Sitting on the edge of the bed, I rub her back. Honestly, I’m not sure what exactly would make her feel better so I’m running on instinct. Smarty turns, sits up, and clings to me. My heart shreds at what this is doing to her. Scooting back to lean against the headboard, I keep Presley in my arms and hold her. I don’t say anything, because I doubt anything would make her feel better right now.
The thing she appears to need is just me holding her. That, I can easily do for her. I’d hold her forever if it would make her happy. My shirt is quickly soaked with her tears, and I wait until they come to a stop. When they do, I take her hands and remove them from me. I walk over to her dresser to find her a change of clothes. It takes me a few minutes of rummaging, but I find her a pair of pajamas and take them back to her.