Page 120 of Going for Gold (Sweet Cravings 3)

"What about that boy you were telling me about?" asked my mom. "Are you two still together despite the tie..." She coughed into her napkin. "...Time difference? You said he lives in Pasadena, right?"

Shit, was she about to say tiebreaker? I looked down at my plate and tried to hold back the mix of tears about Bryce and embarrassment that my mom almost mentioned the tiebreaker. I was pretty sure she knew all about it and was just pretending like she didn't.

"I'm not sure they've talked since the games," said Kristen.

"Can we talk about something else?" I asked.

Kristen nodded. "Can someone pass the dark meat? I wanted to get my hands on it before Alina shoves it all in her mouth."

My dad choked on whatever he was eating and my grandma giggled. My mom pretended to ignore it completely.

Oh fuck. They definitely know.

"So uh...what'd I miss in Delaware?" I said, changing the topic as quickly as possible.

"We sold the bakery," said my dad matter-of-factly.

"What?" I asked. "No. You said you wouldn't until I got back..."

"It's done," said my dad. "End of discussion."

I looked to my grandma for help. "Grandma? Are you going to let him do this?"

She looked down at her plate.

I turned back to my dad. "But I'm going to get the money. Just give me a few days."

He slammed his fist on the table, making everyone at the table jump. "What are you going to do? Host a charity strip show to get the money you need to fix the place up? Or maybe you could go do some more porn."

I swallowed hard. I had never been more ashamed in my life. Or more embarrassed. But it wasn't just that. I was mad. I was so mad. "Dad, I made one mistake."

He scoffed. "That's not what I heard."

I winced. It wasn't just one mistake. There had been eight guys on that stage. I looked over at my grandmother. She was looking everywhere except for at me. Before she had started getting sick, she loved putting my father in his place, making him feel like the son she still viewed him as. But not even Grandma was on my side this time. Had she really heard about it too? Why were they talking about that in an old folks home? Her lack of support hurt the most. It was her dream to pass the bakery on to me.

"Bill, please..." said my mom.

"God damn it. I can't just sit here and pretend like nothing happening." My dad turned to me. The disappointment in his eyes was heartbreaking. "We heard all about what you did, Alina. You didn't deserve that bakery, not after that. I sold it to the highest bidder."

"She won gold," said Kristen. "You should be proud of her, not slut shaming her."

My dad shook his head. "We didn't raise you that way, Alina."

"What do you mean you didn't raise me that way? You're who I got my competitiveness from. You always told me to do whatever it takes to win. You always said..."

My dad stood up. The chair squeaked across the floor. "To be a prostitute? I can't even look at you!"

I bit my lip. I didn't want to start crying again. "It was a mistake."

He shook his head. "It doesn't matter."

"Then give me more time. Dad, please, I'm begging you."

He finally made eye contact with me. "It's too late. The sale is final. I need some air."

I closed my eyes and squeezed them harder when I heard the front door slam. "I'm gonna go to bed."

"You barely touched your food," my mother said. She put her hand on top of mine.

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