What Are The Chances (Phil-U #2)

3 Crisis averted

CHAPTER THREE

Crisis averted

RILEY

I’d just stepped out of my last class for the day when my phone rang. Dad flashed across the screen. I groaned loudly, startling the girl walking beside me. It’d been a long day of back-to-back lectures and I hadn’t eaten since breakfast, I didn’t have the energy to deal with my dad right now.

I let his call ring out. Less than a second later, he called again. This time I screened it before slipping my phone into my bag. For someone who hadn’t given me the time of day until I was in middle school, he sure was demanding nowadays.

I headed straight to my car. I was late meeting my friend Parker at the local diner. My lecturer loved his own voice and had talked well beyond the end of class.

As I was pulling out of the parking lot, my half-brother’s name displayed on my car screen. Smiling, I answered Tanner’s call.

“What’s up?” I greeted.

He didn’t return the pleasantries. “Stop ignoring dad.” There was some rustling in the background, followed by a car door slamming. “Because when you ignore him, he calls me to ask why you’re ignoring him.”

“I’m not ignoring him,” I lied. “I’m running late to meet Parker.”

I could hear the smile in Tanner’s voice. “But you had time to answer me?”

“Because your calls don’t generally suck out my soul.”

Tanner laughed loudly, the sound echoing through my car speakers. “You’re dramatic, Ri. But I get it. ”

Like me, my half-brother’s relationship with my father was stilted. Thankfully mine and Tanner’s relationship was as simple as they came.

I’d spent New Year’s Eve with him and his friends in Allentown. It’s where he went to college.

Apart from Parker, my other two closest friends went to Allentown as well. If it wasn’t for the house my mum had left me in Phil-U’s college town, I would’ve transferred in sophomore year.

“I’ll be down your way on Saturday,” my brother said. “Lucas is picking up a new car and I promised I’d drive him. Want to get lunch?”

Pulling into the diner, I edged my car between a Mercedes and BMW. There were so many rich kids at Phil-U.

“That sounds good. But hey, I’ve got to go. Text me a time and place and I’ll see you Saturday.”

I cut the ignition then headed inside. Parker was sitting at a booth by the jukebox. She was the epitome of gorgeous. She had dark skin and long black hair that was currently in an array of mini plaits. She was wearing black cargo pants and a band tee, matched with purple eyeshadow and a thick gold chain. It was stylish as hell.

Parker was a fashion major. I was a physical therapy major – and it showed. My default style was always gym wear. It’s what I felt most comfortable in. Leggings. Sneakers. An oversized sweater. Since becoming friends with Parker, she’d upped my style game slightly. Before any party or event, I had to get my outfits signed off by her.

“Sorry I was late.” I slipped out of my jacket, draping it across the back of the booth. “It’s been one of those days.”

Concern marred her jaw-dropping features. If she wasn’t my best friend, I’d envy how gorgeous she was. Well, I still kind of did.

“What happened?”

“It started with losing my athletes for my final assessment and ended with dad calling.”

Her dark eyebrows furrowed. “Did your brother pull out?”

“No. The criteria changed. The athletes need to be from Phil-U now.”

My brother had been the first person I’d thought of when I’d learnt of my final assessment. His friend Lucas had volunteered to help as well. And Brooklyn and Marnie, my two friends from Allentown, were both on the track and field team.

The logistics of driving between our two towns at least once per week for the assessment wasn’t ideal, but really, I did that most weekends by choice anyway. And it was a better alternative than risking being around Phil-U athletes.

“Shit.” Parker took a long sip of her Diet Coke. “I’ve been seeing this new guy. It’s still fresh, but I could ask if he can help you out. He’s on the– ”

I shook my head, silencing her offer. “It’s all sorted. This girl Grace is doing me a solid. I’m meeting her tomorrow and she’s bringing three friends.”

Parker beamed. “Crisis averted.”

“Thank god.”

The waitress appeared, setting down our meals. Parker had ordered us each a burger. Hers was the vegetarian option, and mine was a standard – yet delicious – cheeseburger. My stomach groaned its appreciation when I shoved a handful of fries in my mouth.

Instead of eating, Parker fiddled with one of the many earrings in her ear, something she always did when she was nervous.

I honestly couldn’t count how many piercings she had, and that was only considering the visible ones. I knew her naval was pierced because she wore mostly crops at home, and I’d been the one who’d held her hand when she had her left nipple pierced, but I don’t think the body jewellery ended there.

“What are you doing this weekend?” she asked.

I narrowed my eyes sceptically. “Tell me what you’re offering before I answer.”

“The guy I’m talking to, it’s his birthday, and he’s going camping–”

“Camping?” I gawked. “Hard pass.”

“Come on, Riley,” Parker pouted. “Camping is fun. Besides, it’ll be more like glamping. There are even bathrooms.” She pushed her burger aside so she could lean closer. “Please. I can’t go alone.”

“What about Kayla or Beth?”

They were Parker’s friends from her class. They were nice enough girls, but I didn’t have anything in common with them, other than the girl sitting opposite me.

“They’re already coming, but they’re not you. I want my best friend there.”

When I hesitated, guilt coiled around my stomach. Parker was a yes girl. And not in an annoying way, in a will give anything a go way . She’d gone bouldering once because I decided I wanted to give it a go, and she came with me to watch my brother’s hockey games even though she hated sport.

“Dad is lending me his van, so we can sleep in the back. And I’ll deck it out with mattresses and fairy lights so we’re comfy.” She chewed her lips as she gazed away in thought. “Though I did say I’d drive Beth and Kayla and his van only seats three in the front.”

“Where is the campground?”

“A little bit out of Allentown.”

I exhaled dramatically. Damn. The stars were aligning even though I really didn’t want them to .

“My brother is coming down on Saturday,” I reluctantly admitted. “I guess I could catch a lift back with him.”

Parker jumped in her seat, knocking her legs against the table, and causing her drink to wobble. I reached out to steady it before it tipped over. Last thing I needed to add to this long day was getting covered in Diet Coke.

“You’re the best, Riley. I can’t wait to introduce you. I think you’re really going to like this guy. He’s not like any other guy I’ve dated.”

I hoped not. There had been some shockers. The musician who she’d caught hooking up with a coat girl after the gig we’d snuck into. The poet who’d invited her to a slam poetry night only to surprise her, and the entire audience, with a recap of the first time they’d slept together. Or the tattoo artist who’d tattooed Parker’s name on himself within a month of them dating. Well, maybe the tattoo guy wasn’t a total bust. Parker and I had each scored free tattoos from the relationship.

The point was her taste was the complete opposite to mine. Where she liked artsy, lean, alternative guys, I liked the muscled type. The ones that had an underlying male instinct to win sporting games, or smash something, or assert their dominance.

I’m sure if I spoke to a therapist, like I’d been encouraged to after my mum died, they’d have a lot to say about my taste. Daddy issues screamed internally. Speaking of – my phone vibrated against the table, pulling my attention. Dad again. Only now he’d given up on calling. There was a text.

DAD: Bumped into your counsellor. She mentioned you’re in need of Phil-U athletes. Give me a call. I can help you out.

Not a chance in hell for more than one reason.

RILEY: I’ve got it sorted.

Feeling bad, I quickly typed out an extra message.

RILEY: Thanks though.