Page 5 of What Are the Chances
The waitress appeared, setting down our meals. Parker had ordered us each a burger. Hers was the vegetarian option, and mine was a standard – yet delicious – cheeseburger. My stomach groaned its appreciation when I shoved a handful of fries in my mouth.
Instead of eating, Parker fiddled with one of the many earrings in her ear, something she always did when she was nervous.
I honestly couldn’t count how many piercings she had, and that was only considering the visible ones. I knew her naval was pierced because she wore mostly crops at home, and I’d been the one who’d held her hand when she had her left nipple pierced, but I don’t think the body jewellery ended there.
“What are you doing this weekend?” she asked.
I narrowed my eyes sceptically. “Tell me what you’re offering before I answer.”
“The guy I’m talking to, it’s his birthday, and he’s going camping–”
“Camping?” I gawked. “Hard pass.”
“Come on, Riley,” Parker pouted. “Camping is fun. Besides, it’ll be more like glamping. There are even bathrooms.” She pushed her burger aside so she could lean closer. “Please. I can’t go alone.”
“What about Kayla or Beth?”
They were Parker’s friends from her class. They were nice enough girls, but I didn’t have anything in common with them, other than the girl sitting opposite me.
“They’re already coming, but they’re not you. I want my best friend there.”
When I hesitated, guilt coiled around my stomach. Parker was ayesgirl. And not in an annoying way, in awill give anything a go way. She’d gone bouldering once because I decided I wanted to give it a go, and she came with me to watch my brother’s hockey games even though she hated sport.
“Dad is lending me his van, so we can sleep in the back. And I’ll deck it out with mattresses and fairy lights so we’re comfy.” She chewed her lips as she gazed away in thought. “Though I did say I’d drive Beth and Kayla and his van only seats three in the front.”
“Where is the campground?”
“A little bit out of Allentown.”
I exhaled dramatically. Damn. The stars were aligning even though I really didn’t want them to.
“My brother is coming down on Saturday,” I reluctantly admitted. “I guess I could catch a lift back with him.”
Parker jumped in her seat, knocking her legs against the table, and causing her drink to wobble. I reached out to steady it before it tipped over. Last thing I needed to add to this long day was getting covered in Diet Coke.
“You’re the best, Riley. I can’t wait to introduce you. I think you’re really going to like this guy. He’s not like any other guy I’ve dated.”
I hoped not. There had been some shockers. The musician who she’d caught hooking up with a coat girl after the gig we’d snuck into. The poet who’d invited her to a slam poetry night only to surprise her, and the entire audience, with a recap of the first time they’d slept together. Or the tattoo artist who’d tattooed Parker’s name on himself within a month of them dating. Well, maybe the tattoo guy wasn’t a total bust. Parker and I had each scored free tattoos from the relationship.
The point was her taste was the complete opposite to mine. Where she liked artsy, lean, alternative guys, I liked the muscled type. The ones that had an underlying male instinct to win sporting games, or smash something, or assert their dominance.
I’m sure if I spoke to a therapist, like I’d been encouraged to after my mum died, they’d have a lot to say about my taste.Daddy issuesscreamed internally. Speaking of – my phone vibrated against the table, pulling my attention. Dad again. Only now he’d given up on calling. There was a text.
DAD:Bumped into your counsellor. She mentioned you’re in need of Phil-U athletes. Give me a call. I can help youout.
Not a chance in hell for more than one reason.
RILEY:I’ve got it sorted.
Feeling bad, I quickly typed out an extra message.
RILEY:Thanks though.
CHAPTER FOUR
Don’t be a drama llama
WILL
