Page 74 of On the Double
“And I’m using him. Trust me, I know what’s going on here.”
“Yeah? And what about the next time he says or does something to hurt you? Are you going to forgive him so easily?”
“It was one mistake. Do you know how many times I’ve said things I wished I hadn’t?”
“Yeah, you say stupid shit, but it’s always flattering. This guy insulted you.”
I jerked out of his grasp. I didn’t want to hear anymore. “He apologized. He was sincere about it. There’s no harm in giving him a second chance.”
“A second chance that will blow up in your face,” Oliver spat. “Harper, I don’t trust this guy.”
“Why? Because he didn’t immediately fall at my feet and promise to love me forever?” Oliver’s back stiffened. “Not everyone can have a love like Mom and Dad. And I’m not looking for that with Edu. I find him attractive and I’m having fun with him.”
“Just as long as you remember that he’s never going to settle down for more.”
A pang of hurt flashed through me at his words. Yes, I knew Edu was a short-term prospect, but I could still feel the ring on my finger. I still wanted to know what it would be like if the butterflies in my stomach were because he was taking me out on a date instead of promising to give me a good time in the sack.
“I know what I’m doing,” I snapped.
His whole face hardened, but he said nothing more. “Grams and Grandpa are leaving tomorrow. I know they’d like to have breakfast with us before you go.”
I nodded. “I have tomorrow off. I’ll be home early.”
“Make sure you are. And don’t bring him with. The last thing we need is for them to think he’s going to marry you.”
I held up my finger, raising an eyebrow at him. “That was sort of the point, remember?”
“You’re lying to yourself just as much as you are to them.”
“Hey, remember that it was Edu who got you the job at the shop.”
“It was Duke, actually. But you keep telling yourself whatever you want about the guy.”
He walked out the door, closing it behind him. I wasn’t sure what pissed me off more. That he was so judgmental about Edu, or that deep down, I knew he was right.
It didn’t matter, though. I was going to have a good time tonight and think about everything else later. I finished packing my bag and walked out, smiling at Gram as she yelled at Grandpa about hitting the wrong buttons on the remote.
“Hey!” I grinned, walking over to them. “I’m going to see Edu, but I’ll be back before you leave tomorrow.”
She eyed the bag and smiled. “Bring him to breakfast.”
“Well, I can’t promise anything. I don’t know what his work schedule is.”
I caught the glare Oliver shot my way out of the corner of my eye, but ignored him.
“Give him our best, and try and get a date out of him tonight. We need to put it on our calendars.”
“I will. Love you.”
I squeezed her tight, happy that for once, I wasn’t the subject of her ire. It felt nice to not be the screwup. They were always so proud of Oliver. I wanted that for myself. It just sucked that the only reason they felt that way was because they thought I was getting married.
“I’ll see you in the morning.”
I tried to be happy as I walked out the door, but between Oliver’s words and my own insecurities about the way my grandparents viewed me, it was hard to put a smile on my face. But the moment Edu pulled up, I ignored the nagging feeling at the back of my mind and got in before my grandparents could hound him.
“Hey, beautiful,” he smiled.
I leaned across the seat and kissed him. “Take me home and fuck me.”