All He Wants
Page 16
I wanted to roll my eyes but I was pretty sure they would feel like boulders banging into my brain. I managed a frown instead. She was such a complete suck up. And my parents swallowed her act hook, line and sinker.
He ruffled her hair as he walked by. “I know you won't, Annie.”
She shot a glance in my direction, a satisfied smile on her face. The urge to vomit was overwhelming, and not just because of the lingering effects of the gallon of vodka I'd downed the night before. As far as my parents were concerned, she was the perfect one. The one who was charming, the one who played the role of dutiful, loving daughter.
If they only knew, I thought. I wished I had the guts to spill right then, to tell my dad about all of Annika's binges, all of her guys, all of her stupid, reckless decisions.
“Wait,” I said, my voice hoarser than usual.
Annika smirked at the sound. “I'm outta here.” She flounced out of the kitchen, her ass almost visible beneath the short tube dress.
Dad turned to look at me. “I only have a minute, kiddo. Don't want to leave your mom hanging.”
“I know.” I fingered the tablecloth, pinching the edge between my thumb and forefinger. “About packing...”
He grinned. “I know. I've seen your room. You're nowhere near ready, either.”
I swallowed. “I know.”
“Work on it today. Get it done.”
“It's not that.” I took a deep breath. I felt wobbly inside, as much from the hangover as from the decision I was about to share. “I'm not going to be packing.”
He raised his eyebrows. “Oh?”
I shook my head.
“Why's that? Not bringing anything with you?”
“No,” I said slowly. “Because I'm not going.”
***
IT WAS YOU