Chapter 3 #2
I don’t bother calling for the town car. I pull off my shoes and walk barefoot down the street, trying to ignore the looks I’m getting.
When I see a Hot Topic nearby, I’m filled with relief. Rushing across the street, I browse around until I find a cute, pink mini skirt and a white crop top that says ‘Daddy's Girl’ on it.
Using the money I've made from streaming, I buy it, and a pair of black platform boots.
“Do you have a bathroom I can use to change into this?” I ask the girl at the register with pleading eyes.
She looks me over and laughs. “Yeah, girl, I got you. You can use the employee's bathroom.”
“You are a lifesaver,” I sigh, following her to the back.
I feel better the instant I’m changed. More like me and less like whatever the fuck that was before.
I shove the cocktail dress in the bag I got at checkout, and thank the girl again as I leave.
The sun beats down on me, warming my skin. I smile as I look around, in a much better mood now.
I’m trying to save my money as much as I can, but this is the first time I’ve been out of my house in weeks. I don’t want to go home yet; if I do, Mom will bombard me with questions.
I decide to hit up Starbucks for a latte and then grab some Popeyes chicken.
Sitting on the beach, the warm sand between my toes, I sigh happily as I dig into my meal. The seagulls squawk around me, and I toss them my leftover fries before leaning back and watching the waves.
Today was awful. I’m sure there’s an Omega out there who would love to have those Alphas, but it’s just not going to be me.
I want someone who’s funny, playful, kind, and sweet. Someone who will let me be myself without any judgment. Someone who will care for me, protect me. Someone who’s passionate about me, not my designation.
I want Death, Grim, and Waffle.
It’s stupid of me because I have no idea who they really are. Why am I so invested in people I’ve never met in real life?
I should be giving real Alphas a chance. Maybe not the ones my mother sets me up with, but I could always try a dating app. I’m sure normal people are on there, right?
By the time I get out of my head, the sun has moved. “Shit.” I grab my phone and curse when I see it’s four.
Three missed calls from my mother. Lovely.
Pulling myself up off the ground, I grab my things and hustle to the sidewalk to order an Uber.
When I get home, my mother is waiting for me. She’s glaring with disapproval, and she’s not alone. My stepdad is with her.
“Elliot,” I greet him, excited to see him.
“Addie, sweetie.” He chuckles as he pulls me in for a hug. “It’s wonderful to see you.”
I’m sure he’s been home at some point since I’ve been back, but I’ve been locked up in my room so much that I haven’t noticed.
“Don’t ‘sweetie’ her,” my mother huffs. “She’s been gone all day, ignoring my calls.”
“I wasn’t ignoring them. I got distracted,” I tell her, pulling away from Elliot.
“Where have you been? Why didn’t you come back after brunch?”
“I was out. I didn’t think I had to come straight home. I’m an adult, Mom. I’m twenty-five.”
She glares harder.
“Leave the girl alone, Eloise. She went on the date. That's what matters, right?” my stepdad interjects.
My mother does not like that. She swings her glare at him, but he doesn’t bat an eye.
Sometimes I think she’s only with him for his money, and won’t dare try to really piss him off because she knows he would leave her. I’m sure they were in love at some point, but now? I’m not so sure. I haven’t been around them in years to be able to judge that.
Elliot played in the KP for years before he became a coach. The man is worth more than my mother. Sometimes I wish he could have been more of a parent when I was younger. My mother would berate him when he tried, but that didn’t stop him from being the best stepdad ever when she was gone.
We’ve always had a good relationship. I didn’t realize how much I missed him until now.
“How was brunch?” she asks me.
“Want me to lie? Or can I tell you what you how it really was?”
She sighs heavily. “Really, Addison? Do you have to be so hard to deal with?”
“What do you want me to say, Mother?” I huff. “They were nice guys, I’ll give them that. Respectful. But all they did was talk about themselves.”
“So?” She blinks. “No one wants to hear about gaming.” She rolls her eyes. “I’m sure they wouldn’t have understood anything you said.”
I grind my teeth together. “They also ordered for me.”
“They were being gentlemen. That's sweet.”
Sweet? Is she joking!
“It was a salad. And when I wanted a soda to go with it, they ordered me a sparkling water instead.”
“Salad is healthy, and soda is not. I don’t see the problem here, Addison. You’re the one making one where there is none.”
“Salad isn’t filling, Mom,” I growl.
“Well.” She looks me over. “You could afford to lose a few pounds.”
That hits me like a punch to the gut. My eyes sting as I try not to cry.
“That's enough, Eloise,” Elliot growls. “I understand you want what's best for your daughter.” I almost snort at that, because she sure as fuck doesn’t. “But that doesn’t give you the right to insult her like that. She’s not you. She’s her own person.”
My mother stands stiffly. I can tell she wants to argue with him, to tell him off. He’s the only one she won’t clap back at unless she really feels the need to.
Her tongue runs over her teeth before she speaks again.
“They called and asked for another date. So clearly, you haven’t scared them off.
How? I'm not sure.” She lifts her chin. “You will be going out again with them next Saturday night. I’ve also set you up on a date with some of my friends' sons.”
“Another pack?” My brows pull together. “What the hell? Are you pimping me out?”
“I told you the conditions of living here, Addison. Did you think it was going to be one date with one pack?” She laughs. “No. You will continue to go on dates until you find a pack. And if you refuse to pick a pack, one will be picked for you.”
I hate her. I hate her. I hate her!
Before I can slap her across the face, I storm out of the room.
“And stop dressing like a whore before I go into your room and burn all your clothes!” she calls out.
A sob bubbles up my throat as I race to my room.
There is shouting that sounds from behind me. I know Elliot isn’t letting her behavior go unchecked, and I appreciate him for that.
Doesn’t mean it will change anything. She will always be who she is, and I’ll never be the daughter she wants me to be.
I lock myself in my room, and beeline for the computer.
Please be on, please be on, please be on.
When I see Waffle and Grim online I nearly sob with relief. “Hey.” My voice is soft when I join the chat.
“There she is,” Waffle cheers. “How's our girl?”
I don’t say anything, not trusting myself to speak as I wipe at my tears.
“Princess?” Grim’s voice is filled with concern.
“I don’t wanna talk about it.” I force a laugh. “Let’s just play, okay? Get my mind off things.”
“Are you sure? We’re here for you if you need us,” Waffle offers.
That nearly has me breaking out into a fit of sobs.
Because I do need them, more than I should.
If I open up and we make things more personal, then it’s going to be harder to move on when the time comes.
Because the time will come. I can’t spend the rest of my life living in this little online fantasy.
I’m starting to wish I had said something to Cae. Maybe I could have gone to live with her.
Anything is better than my mother digging her claws into me, trying to own me, control me. I should have known better and that this would have happened.
It’s not going to happen. I’m not going to let her win.
I’ll make the money I need and get the fuck out of here.