ChapterThree
Parker
“It’s going to be fine,” Lexi tries to reassure me as we stand outside of the Finance & Legal BNC building.
After I’d had a small meltdown, Lexi talked me into going down to the office to see if I could pick up the package, but by the time we’d gotten here, the offices were closed. I am going to have to wait until tomorrow.
“Fine?! I sent a dildo to my new job. A job where my father works.” Two men in suits pause and glance our way at my outburst. I’m making this worse, and I pray they don’t work here. I cover my face with my hands, but Lexi grabs my arms and pulls them down.
“The package has your name on it. It’s going to be fine. When you come in tomorrow, pop into the mailroom and grab it. People aren’t going to open your mail.”
“They might.” It happens sometimes.
“They won’t,” she tries to reassure me. I know logically she’s right, but that doesn’t help my anxiety.
“I never should have ordered it.”
“No way, we’re not doing that. There is nothing wrong with you getting something for self-care.” She links her arm with mine as she leads me away from the building.
“You’re right.” I take a deep breath and try to calm my nerves. It’s all going to be okay, and I’m probably freaking out over nothing. Lexi’s phone starts to go off as we head back toward campus, and she pulls it out.
“Shit, I forgot I have a study group. You want to come to the library and hang?” she offers, not wanting me to go back to our dorm room and stew over this by myself. It doesn’t matter if I’m in the library or our room. I'm still going to worry even if I tell myself I’m not.
“Nah, I want to finish a paper and then read.” Reading will help me pass the time until tomorrow. There’s nothing better than falling into a story to forget the mess of your own life for a few hours.
“Are you sure?”
“I’m fine. The package has my name on it.” I repeat what she told me, hoping that if I say it enough, it will become the truth.
“You’re so full of shit.” She bumps her shoulder with mine. “I shouldn’t be too long. I hate group projects.”
“I’ll be fine,” I tell her. “See you back in the room.” We hug before we part ways when we reach the campus.
Digging in my bag for my key, my phone starts to go off. My stomach drops when I see it’s my father because he doesn’t call me often.
“Hey,” I say, answering the call.
“Getting excited for tomorrow?” I let out my breath at his question. So he’s not calling because he found a dildo at the office. How is this my life right now?
“Super.” I realize when I say it that I have more sarcasm in my tone than I’d intended to.
“Parker, this is a big opportunity for you,” he scolds me, making me feel like a brat. He’s right, but it’s not one I want. I hate how much my life is out of my control right now.
“Sorry.”
“Remember you’re a representation of me.” I close my eyes. My father might disown me over this dildo, and it’s almost laughable.
“I know.”
“Good, now how are things going with the sorority?” He changes the subject, but it’s not one I’d like to discuss either.
“They’re going.” I try to keep my tone chipper.
“It might be too much for you to take on. I’m not sure this sorority is a good thing right now.”
“So you’ll talk to Mom about it?” Finally someone is agreeing with me.
“I’ll see what I can do,” he says after a long pause, and I’m not holding out hope. What Mom wants, Mom normally gets.
“Thanks.” I scan my keycard to get into my building. “I guess I’ll see you tomorrow?”
“Yes, I’ll see you tomorrow, sweetheart,” he says before ending the call.
My father is a tough nut to crack. Both my parents are really. I know they love me, but it’s not a word that’s often said. Everything is always so structured and laid out. There’s no room for me to relax or be myself with them. It sucks.
I tuck my phone back into my purse and take the stairs up to my floor. I freeze when I enter the hallway to see four girls standing in front of my door, but what catches my eye is the handsome man in a suit that they’re all surrounding. He towers over all of them, but they’re circling him like he’s the last cupcake in the common room.