Don't Call Me Daddy (Once Upon a Daddy #1) - Kelli Callahan Page 0,1

bothers me. You never even go outside at home unless I ask you to do something!” She throws the cigarette out the window and presses her foot down on the accelerator.

She’s right. I don’t know why I go the extra mile to annoy the only person who has ever been there for me. I keep telling myself I’m going to do better, but then I fall right back in the same routine—making her life miserable so that mine doesn’t seem so bad.

My mom doesn’t deserve it. I always regret it when I do something that truly upsets her, and I apologize with every intention of never doing it again. It’s a vicious cycle brought on by self-loathing and endless frustration.

God help me if she ever does decide to abandon me like I deserve.

“Do you have to work this weekend?” I look over at her and try to make small talk.

“No. Do you?” She hasn’t calmed down, but she is still talking to me—one good sign at least.

“Nah, I have the weekend off. I’m supposed to go to a Halloween party.” I smile and put a little cheer in my voice.

“If you were a few years younger, you’d be grounded for the rest of your life!” Her expression darkens. “Damn it, Ainsley. Why don’t you try to get a better job or get back in school? You’re not happy; that’s the only reason you do crap like this.”

She’s still scolding me. An even better sign.

“I don’t know, Mom.” I look out the window and sigh.

I really don’t. I could draw a road map and see a few speed bumps that derailed me from the direction my life was supposed to go, but I can’t dwell on that.

I just dodged a bullet, and it was such a foolish thing to do in the first place. My career options are limited enough without a shoplifting conviction on my record. I need to grow up and figure out what the hell I’m going to do with the rest of my life.

I can certainly mark expert shoplifter off my list of skills. One more thing that I’ve failed at like all the others.

“Dinner is probably cold by now. You can microwave it if you want.” My mom puts the car in park when we arrive at our house.

“I’m not hungry.” I reach for the door handle.

“Of course not. You’d rather have a stolen soda than a meal I made for you.” She sighs and steps out of the car.

Truthfully, the trip to the police station ruined whatever appetite I had. I was hoping to drink a Red Bull on my way home from work and skip dinner entirely. I’m never going to fit into my Halloween costume if I keep eating Mom’s home-cooked meals; another thing I don’t appreciate. God, I can’t believe she doesn’t regret giving birth to me every single day.

Sometimes I wish I had just been a stain in her panties. My father certainly wishes that. It’s been so long since I’ve seen him that I wouldn’t even remember his face if I didn’t have a few pictures to remind me what he looks like.

Home sweet home. Room sweet room. My mom never bothers me when I’m in it anymore unless she’s calling me for dinner or needs something. It used to be the Marigold girls against the world. Now we might as well be strangers.

I dig my phone out of my purse once my door is closed and text the only friend I have left in my hometown—Sarah Carson.

Ainsley: So, I just got back from the police station.

Sarah: What the hell did you do this time?

Ainsley: Shoplifting…

Sarah: Seriously? Why?

Ainsley: I don’t know. I just wanted a Red Bull.

Sarah: You need Jesus.

Ainsley: I think he gave up on me a long time ago. Can you text me the address for the party this weekend? I thought I saved it in my phone, but I can’t find it.

Sarah: Yep. 144 Fuller Avenue. It’s an office building. You can’t miss it.

Ainsley: You sure about this? We’re not going to know anyone there.

Sarah: That’s the point. Everyone will be wearing costumes. Trust me, my dad used to work for the company, and he said the Halloween parties are always packed. You just tried to shoplift a Red Bull. Are you really turning down an open bar?

Ainsley: No…

Sarah: That’s what I thought.

It will be nice to get out of this small town for the weekend. Free drinks are just a bonus. The city isn’t that far