Page 2 of The Crush
What would it feel like along my fingers? Against my face?
A shiver slides down my spine, and I suppress a murmur.
“Tomorrow for all things Spanish deal. But not too early, you know,” my dad says.
What? No wink? How else would one know what you’ll be up to?
I’m tempted to roll my eyes, but instead I seize the chance to inject myself into their business conversation, flashing a knowing smile Bridger’s way. “Dad doesn’t like to wake early,” I say, innocently.
Like I don’t know the real reason Dad will sleep in.
Like the real reason isn’t coming over in a few minutes.
Cassie. Or Lianne. Or Marie. Or whoever the latest lady is that my dad’s banging behind his fiancée’s back.
Slowly, like maybe we’re both in on the joke, Bridger turns my way. My pulse kicks. His eyes are dark blue, the color of the dawn before day takes over. They hold mine for a beat, then he looks away quickly. I’m hopeful enough to want to believe he’s entertaining the same thoughts about dangerous kisses.
But I’m smart enough to know he’s not.
“Yeah, I know,” he says, then he’s out the door.
Not even a smile. He’s just gone. But what did I expect? I’m simply his business partner’s college-age daughter, ten years his junior.
I turn back to my laptop, ready to study.
Except…
With Bridger on his way, my father turns to me, checks his watch, then hums, like he’s gearing up to make a request.
Whatever, Dad. You’re not going to shock me.
I close my laptop before he speaks.
“Harlow, love, do you think you could study in your room?”
Translation—be a good girl, put your earbuds in, blast some music, and pretend you hear nothing while I fuck someone who’s not my fiancée.
I fake a smile. “Of course,” I say, swallowing down a spoonful of disgust.
“You’re such a darling,” he says.
I flash a bigger smile. “Thanks.”
Then, he disappears up the stairs. Naturally. He must go beautify himself before the lady shows up.
She’ll probably be here in less than ten minutes. Like I am going to stay in my room for the next several hours. I’m not even going to stay in this house.
There’s a big city out there for me to escape into.
I grab my backpack from the dining room floor, stuff my laptop in it, and sling it over my shoulder. Maybe when I reach Big Cup, I’ll tell Dad I left.
But then again, maybe I won’t. Chances are he won’t notice or care.
When I stuff my phone into the pouch of my backpack, the sound of Beethoven’sSymphonyNo. 5blasts from Dad’s phone on the coffee table in the living room.
It’s his fiancée calling. Joan’s in Vermont teaching a symposium on classical music. Poor Joan. I like her well enough, considering I’ve only lived with her for the last two summer breaks.
His cell rattles again, the violin announcing her interest in talking to her fiancé.Not my problem. Not my problem. Not at all my problem.