“And who’s fault is that?” I volley back at him without bothering to hide my amusement.
My parents might be awesome, but they’re also the anti hand-your-daughter-free-stuff types, so I’m saving up to buy a car with my own money. And since I’ve been focusing on graduating high school and preparing for the upcoming hockey season, I’ve been a bit preoccupied. Thankfully, the duplex is right next to campus, so it’s not like I need a car to get to and from my classes or anything. If I do need a ride anywhere, I have three cousins and a boyfriend who would be happy to drive me somewhere. I’ll be fine.
“Don’t remind me,” Dad mutters, glancing at my mom. “You know I wanted to––”
“Don’t you dare throw me under the bus, Teddy.” Mom points her finger at him and steps closer, jabbing it into his chest. “We both agreed raising strong, independent girls included being the bad guys every once in a while.”
“But does she have to figure out how to be strong and independent while living next to her boyfriend without a car?” he whines.
“Give her a break, will you?” my mom interjects. “She’ll be fine. And it’s not like you don’t love Archer and the way he treats your baby girl anyway.”
She’s not wrong.
Our relationship might still be relatively new, but Archer and I have been best friends since puberty. Before then, he had a stick up his ass like his twin brother. But as soon as Archer’s balls dropped, he decided the opposite sex wasn’t so bad, and we became really close. Then, when my prom date bailed on me a few weeks ago, he stepped up and took me instead. Despite my reservations, we danced all night, he kissed me on my front porch, and the rest, as they say, is history. The guy’s never let me down and is basically a saint with a side of Greek god. Then again, both of the Buchanan twins are droolworthy. But other than their looks and their interest in hockey, the two couldn’t be more opposite if they tried.
Which reminds me… I kind of want to go see my boyfriend before he leaves for his internship.
My mom scans the boxes littering the family room before ordering, “Theo, why don’t you go pick up some breakfast for us while I help Lia––”
“Nope,” I interrupt. “I love you guys, but I think it’s time you got out of here.” I push my parents toward the door, adding, “I can unpack on my own like the strong, independent woman you raised me to be, and if you don’t leave now, you’ll be late for Tatum’s piano recital.”
“Your little sister would kill us if we missed it,” my mom agrees. “Although, we were hoping to stop by to say hello to the boys.”
“You really think the boys want to be woken up before 9 am on a Saturday?” I question.
“Good point.” Mom follows my lead and pushes my dad toward the door, but he barely budges before giving in like a great, big teddy bear.
“Fine.” He kisses me goodbye, and my mom does the same, giving me one final squeeze.
We all head outside. The sun is shining bright in the sky despite it still being relatively early, and I lift my head, basking in its warmth as my parents head back to the cherry-colored truck in the driveway.
“See you guys on Sunday!” I call.
“Love you!” My mom waves as they climb into the truck, pull onto the street, and leave me in blissful silence.
Well, other than the birds.
Yup. They’re chirping in the trees lining the sidewalk and acting like the final cherry on top of a pretty picturesque morning. It makes me feel like I’m Snow White or some shit, and if I didn’t have neighbors, I just might start whistling. Biting back my grin, I stretch out my arms and lift my head toward the sky again.
Hello, freedom.
Hello, future.
Hello, college life.