“I don’t party all the time, Daddy.” Freshman and sophomore years of college I did more than my fair share of partying. When I chose my major, psychiatry, at the end of sophomore year, I buckled down and studied hard.
He snorts and shakes his head, hands on his hips as blue eyes similar to mine glare down at me. “You were out partying last night.”
So that’s what this is all about. I smile up at him, a sickly sweet smile that’s phonier than a three-dollar bill. “You’re right. I was. I went out with Ruby last night because she’s the only person who seemed to care that yesterday was my twenty-first birthday. And she bought me my first legal drink. Not my daddy, not my sleazy ass mother or my bitchy sister. No, my best friend.”
Daddy at least had the temerity to look embarrassed about missing my birthday.
“Exactly. You forgot the most important birthday of my life. The day your youngest child, your baby daughter, was born twenty-one years ago, and you forgot.”
His shoulders sag and some of the steam driving his early morning lecture fades.
“Kelsey, shit, I’m sorry. I had a dinner with the Port Commissioner. That’s no excuse, but it couldn’t be avoided. We had very important matters to discuss.”
He keeps talking, but the car icon on my phone grows closer and closer to the brick mansion that feels less and less like home with each passing day.
“More important than me, clearly.” I stood before he could attempt another half-assed apology. “Sorry to cut this conversation short, Daddy, but I have to go be responsible and get my car serviced. Hope you had a great dinner on my birthday.”
I could say more. I could eviscerate him for all his talk of responsibility and being a grown-up while not living up to the same standards he set for me.
I could do all that, but the fact that he looks more embarrassed than guilty about missing—no, forgetting—my birthday, so I don’t bother. Instead, I grab my purse and walk quietly through our oversized front door where my rideshare waits to take me to rescue my sad Lexus.
“Who are you here for?”
The driver’s curly brown hair bounces as he checks his phone.
“Kelsey. I’m Aidan.”
“Perfect,” I sigh and slide into the back seat, staring out the window as Aidan navigates the quiet streets of Angel Harbor. It feels good to say all those things to Daddy, but still, he forgot my birthday.
The most important birthday in the world.
I could be mad at him all I want, but the truth is that he isn’t alone. Mom still hasn’t called or texted, and no designer birthday gift has arrived by delivery service. Who knows where she is in the world on her latest fashion exploration, likely with her latest boy toy that we all pretend doesn’t exist.
Wherever she is, she’s obviously having too much fun to think about her daughter. I feel alone in the world aside from Ruby. Even my older sister Kenna didn’t call to wish me a happy birthday. Or even a shitty birthday. It really sucks when your family is just plain ambivalent toward your existence.
It’s too early for those thoughts, and I shake it off just as Aidan pulls up to Ace Motors, which looks closed aside from the well-lit sign on top of the low brick building. “Thanks for the lift.”
“My pleasure. Don’t forget to rate me, please.”
I nod and step out of the car with a sigh, my gaze bouncing between two squat buildings with floor-to-ceiling windows that are half-boarded up. The sign on the left says I am at Angel Harbor Choppers with a large decal of a man on a big bike, beard flapping in the wind.
I’m not in the market for a motorcycle, so I trudge across the wide parking lot that looks newly paved compared to the other building. The sign identifies it as Ace Motors, but the door is boarded up, so I try the handle. It gives, and I step inside the empty shop.
It looks open, and Daddy said they’re a legit repair shop, so I tap the bell on the counter and turn back to the rows of hubcaps, hood ornaments, and photos on the wall of men on bikes going back thirty years at least.
“Welcome to Ace Motors? What can I do for ya?” The deep voice seems vaguely familiar, but I don’t know any mechanics, so I fix a friendly, but not too friendly, smile on my face and turn.
“Coop?”
This is a nice surprise, and I smile. Ruby won’t believe this when I tell her.
Instead of flashing his sexy, teasing smile from last night, Coop scowls at me. It’s dark and angry, which I don’t understand.
“What are you doing here?”
I blink, shock rushing through my body at his harsh tone. “I, uhm.” I don’t know how to respond to him, and I wonder if that’s the real him, not the fun and flirty guy from last night.