Page 33 of Loving Leo

I watch as she waves and then disappears entirely.

Fuck, I don’t want to go to the country club tomorrow and Lana better not fucking be there.

She better not have been invited.

As soon asI enter the country club, I make my way to the bar, needing a drink before sitting down with my parents.

At least Selena is here, I tell myself as I order myself a drink.

“Rough day?” the woman behind the counter asks and I sigh.

“Long life.”

She huffs her amusement, thinking I’m joking, but I’m not. Not in the least.

It’s been a while since I’ve been happy. The last time I felt elated was walking to that coffee shop with Leo the other night. Or when I arrive at work and see that he’s left me little notes and candy.

I won’t ever tell anyone the way my heart flip flops when I read his words.

“Here you go,” the bartender says, sliding me my double gin andtonic. I take a fortifying sip and then set it down when I hear my mother’s shrill, fake laugh.

“Could you make that a triple?”

She grins at me and then tilts the bottle of gin over my glass.

“I’ve got you, boo.”

The glass is nearly spilling over and I slurp at it before making my way over to my parents, who I can see seated outside under the awning overlooking the golf course. It’s a beautiful view, with dark green hills in the background and a water feature in the middle of the space.

But it’s tainted by the utter snobbery I can sense the closer and closer I get to their table. It’s suffocating.

“Well, look who decided to join us,” my dad says, making it seem like he’s joking, but I know he’s mad I’m late.

I’m usually always on time, but I found myself wanting to revolt a little, to rage against the wishes of my parents.

It’s sad that it’s taken this long for me to push back, but here I am…showing up late to an important dinner to prove a point.

“Yes. I’m here,” I say, taking a seat next to Selena who’s looking very put together in her tennis skirt and polo.

“Hi, mom. Dad,” I add on, almost forgetting the pleasantries. This drink is a little strong.

I move my gaze around the table, seeing two other older couples that are in business with my dad, but thankfully Lana’s not here. I’ll take it. A small mercy. One other thing I don’t need to deal with today.

“Heath rarely can make it to these. He’s so very busy and successful,” my mom explains, taking a sip of her iced tea.

I turn my gaze over to her and fight an eye roll, setting my cloth napkin on my lap instead. That was a veiled insult. She thinks I’m too busy to make time for her, but the truth is, I can make time for anyone if I wanted to. Like Leo.

I wanted to make time for him and I did.

But my mom and dad…well, I’d rather eat grass. Yes, grass, not glass. I don’t want to die. I’d just rather be on a farm eating dirt than here.

With them.

“Well, I’m here and ready to order.”

“Seems you already have a drink,” my mom snarks and Selena snorts, waving down the waiter at the same time.

“I think I’ll have one too.” She leans closer to me and whispers, “Solidarity, brosif.”