None of that matters, however, because I’m sure as hell not going to stay with him after the BS I just saw. Pompous ass! Taking my phone out, I pulled up Roger’s number in my phone. I send him a quick text to tell him that we’re over. There are definitely some curse words in my rather rude message, but I don’t care.
Then, I go to all of my social media profiles to block him from contacting me further. Deleting his information from my phone is the last step to cut all ties with Roger. If I don’t exist to him, then he damn sure doesn’t exist to me. Once I finish, I lay my head on the steering wheel and cry, suddenly exhausted. Who’s going to want me now?
3
Amelia
Feeling like a zombie, I climb out of my car. For the first time, I notice that there are other vehicles in my driveway. Oh right. It’s my dad’s weekly Tuesday poker night with his old college friends. Great. I feel like shit, but now I have to smack a smile on my face for my dad and his poker buddies.
But it’s important to put on a show because who knows what Dad would do to Roger if he found out what happened? As much as I would love to see Roger get his comeuppance, I don’t want to see Dad end up in jail because of some dumbass high schooler.
Climbing back into my car, I begin the long process of fixing my face so that, hopefully, no one can tell that I’ve been bawling my eyes out. Thank heavens I placed an emergency makeup kit in my car. It just goes to show that you never know when it might be needed. Finally satisfied with the way I look, I climb back out of my vehicle and face the walkway up to the front door.
I try taking a few slow breaths to calm my nerves as I make my way to the house. Taking one last breath to center myself, I place a smile on my lips as I push open the door only to be met with a chorus of hellos from my dad and his friends. Sure enough, there’s Daddy with his buddies. There’s Old Joe, who despite being the same age as my father, appears to be about seventy or so. Then there’s Paolo from Italy, but he’s no Italian Stallion. No, Paolo looks more like Joe Pesci than Rocky Balboa. He can’t be more than five foot four, and even now, his short legs dangle from the chair.
Last, there are two of my dad’s college friends, Reese and Ryan. Now these men are no Joe Pescis. Both Reese and Ryan are tall, with imposing figures. They have wide shoulders and broad chests, with strong, powerful arms. They both have dark hair and bright blue eyes, and as I enter, they turn to look at me, making me blush unconscionably. Oh god, I hope I look okay. It’d be so embarrassing for Reese and Ryan to know what just happened to me.
I can feel my pulse racing in their presence and scold myself. I don’t know what I’m thinking; Roger just broke my heart and here I am aroused and attracted to a set of hot guys. Besides, this is all wishful thinking. If Roger didn’t want me, then there’s no way in hell guys as attractive as Ryan and Reese would want me. Besides, they’re my dad’s college friends. It would be totally inappropriate.
Shaking my head to break the trance, I make my way over to my dad. Stopping to give him a kiss on his bald head, I look around the table.
“Hi guys! Hopefully Daddy isn’t stealing all of your money tonight.” The men immediately begin ribbing each other about who’s winning this week’s poker game. Looking around at the table, I notice that as usual, Ryan has the most chips in front of him. Giggling a bit, I look at the group as I say, “From here, it looks like Ryan is on his way to cleaning you guys out.”
Ryan grins, those blue eyes flashing.
“See, Amelia knows a winner when she sees one. Maybe you’re my good luck charm, sweetheart.”
At this, Dad pipes up.
“If she’s going to bring anyone some luck, it’s going to be me, her wonderful, loving father. Right, Amelia?”
Laughing, I hold my hands up as I back away from the table.
“I think I’m going to stay out of this one. I just came over to say hi to you guys before heading upstairs.”
Dad cranes his head to look at me.
“What’s the rush? I saw the kitchen when I came in. It looks like you were making some of your famous brownies. Did you happen to save any for your old man?”
Glancing to the side to hide my pain, I smile tightly.