Jocelyn had arrived home that night, looking like she just woke up from a hangover, which in her case, she probably did.
I wanted to cry when I saw my step-fathers expression. Instead of getting mad though, he just lets out a shaky breath and turns to the both of us. I could tell he was trying to muster up as much confidence as he could to talk to his wife.
"Jo, Cami got into all the colleges that she applied to. I was thinking we could go and celebrate with some sushi."
I perked up and agreed right away, partially because sushi was my favorite thing to eat right now, and partially because I wanted to spend some more time with Luke.
Jocelyn scoffed, not trying to hide her distaste. Does she even realize how difficult it is to get into those schools? And I got into all three!
After an unnecessary eye roll and Luke begging a couple times, she decided to go with us.
The car ride there was silent, just as I expected. I watched my mother sit turned away from Luke, watching out the window the entire ride. It was as if she wanted to throw herself out of the car.
I raised an eyebrow at my own thought. I'd have no problem doing it for you, crazy bitch.
It was so evident that Luke still cared for her so much, and tried to make her happy. At least, it seems like he was trying for her.
Finally, we arrived at the restaurant and sat down immediately, because he had already made reservations. We-and when I say we I mean Luke and I-started talking about his old college days. Jocelyn was on her phone the whole time, most likely blocking out our voices. He even mentioned that college is where he met my mother, but she didn't even seem a bit phased.
"Anyway, I wanted to ask you if you wanted to go to Chicago with me, Jo."
This was the first time she looked up from her phone all night.
"For what?"
"I have a conference, and they invited me and one extra person."
She stared at him diagonally from across the table, looking at him like he just asked her to run out of the room naked. After a few moments of silence, she spat bitterly, "That's f.ucking retarded. I'm a busy woman and come on! You work for an Alka-Seltzer company. What is so important?" I could feel my heart tug at the sadness that spread on Luke's beautiful face.
"You could have just said you didn't wanna go," he said in a hushed voice, so quiet you could barely hear it over the chatter around us.
My mother just huffed, stuffing another piece of sushi into her mouth. "God, grow up will you? What a baby," she murmured under her breath and it took everything in me to not get up and slap her. You were the one that married a man 10 years younger than you.
"What about you, Cami? Would you like to come?" Luke asked me after explaining that it would be a five day trip, right after school starts back up. I'd have to miss a few days. I look down at my plate of fried sushi. I've lost my appetite.
Jocelyn then butted in excitedly, more energetic than I've seen her all night. "Yeah! That's a great idea. She could go experience work firsthand, so she'll know what to expect when she finishes college!" Her enthusiasm was scary, and suspicious as f.uck, but I couldn't give a crap at the moment.
"Plus," she continues, "the school year is ending and Cami has already finished all her big exams. They would excuse the trip, because it's technically an educational experience."
My step-father's voice softened as he saw my uneasiness. "Are you okay, Cami? You haven't said a word this whole time. It's still your decision," he states, his face transforming into a mask I could no longer read.
Jocelyn was right about everything; this could be a great opportunity, and the school wouldn't mind. But all I could think about was the fact that I would be alone with him. For five whole days. And to my horror, I already knew my answer.
"Yes. I'd love to," I breathed.
You don't know how much I'd love to.
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Another long one! I wanted to also thank everyone so much for the support I've already gotten for this story! It's crazy! I promise the sexy scenes are coming up soon ;)
Love you all so much!