Career Choices…With Dad

Chapter 13

Lily sat impatiently at the hotel bar, her blue eyes scanning the room with dull anticipation. She was not very enthusiastic about meeting up with Kayla and Randy; she still refused to forgive him of what he'd done to her. Kayla appeared first, she waved happily and rushed over to her, her auburn curls bouncing as she hurried.

"Lily, thank you so much for doing this, Randy's been pissy for three days and I can't take it much longer," she sighed, taking a seat next to her and ordering a shot.

"Well, hopefully he'll stop being moody and leave me alone all in one swing, hmm?" she muttered sarcastically. "You know I still don't forgive him."

"Be mad at him then, just make him be happy, for me," Kayla took the shot and motioned for another one.

Lily rolled her eyes, taking a sip of her Coors Light, "Whatever."

"Lily, there you are, I thought you disappeared," Randy's voice broke her from her miserable trance.

She turned to him slowly, her anger coursing through her at the sight of him. She forced herself to smile, hoping he'd buy her act and leave her alone.

"Hi," she waved and sat down, not letting him hug her before he took a seat on the other side of her.

Randy studied her with a frown, seeing the cold in her eyes as she sipped her beer. He glanced at Kayla, his forehead wrinkled in confusion. She shrugged and took another shot before looking up at the TV for a distraction.

"Lil, I know you're still mad at me, you can stop faking it now," he sighed, looking at his hands.

Lily scoffed and ignored him, clenching her jaw and looking up at the TV over the bar. She feigned interest in the soccer game that was on it, feeling Randy's eyes on her. He cleared his throat in annoyance but she continued to ignore him.

"Can I talk to you outside?" he finally asked, knowing nothing else would work.

Lily pretended to be startled and considered for a second. She shrugged and jumped off the stool, "Fine, Kayla we'll be right back."

"Kay," she nodded distractedly and the two left the room.

Randy grabbed Lily's arm and pulled her into an empty meeting room. Lily could tell he was annoyed with her now and silently prided herself in her accomplishment. When his grip tightened around her arm she squirmed to get out of his grip.

"Randy, you're hurting me," she muttered, yanking her arm.

"I'm not letting you go until you listen to me," he growled, the anger now prominent in his eyes.

Lily looked up at him, her fear coursing through her at this new found temper she had never experienced before. She yanked her arms again, trying to get free but his grip only tightened.

"Let me go!" she yelled, fear in her voice as she struggled.

Randy seemed to come to his senses at the sight of her helplessly trying to free herself. He let go quickly and she stumbled away from him.

"Lily, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you," he pleaded, taking step toward her.

"Stay away from me, Randy," she threatened.

"Lily, I'm so sorry, I just wanted you to understand, I didn't mean to scare you. I just want my best friend back," he muttered, his eyes on his shoes.

She glared at him, seeing the sadness in his eyes. Lily knew she shouldn't be that upset with him but the mixture of emotion and fear roaring inside her told her otherwise. She turned to leave and felt arms wrap around her from behind, holding her back.

"Could you at least think about it? Please?" he begged.

Lily sighed, looking down at his hands, "Randy, will you please let go, I have a boyfriend."

"No," he said stubbornly, pressing his forehead to her back, "Not until I get a straight answer out of you."

She stomped her foot moodily, "You are such a child!"

"Look who's talking."

Lily scoffed and crossed her arms over her chest, "Fine, apology accepted, now let me go!"

Randy laughed and spun her around, "I knew I'd get it out of you."

"Who said I meant it?" she shot, moving toward the door. She got her hand around the knob when Randy grabbed her again, pulling her into a bear hug.

"Then I'm not letting you go until you mean it," he squeezed her, making her squirm.

"What would you do if John walked in here right at this moment?" she muttered, looking down at him. "Or Kayla?"

"I'd tell them the truth. I refuse to let you go until you really accept my apology," he shrugged.

"You are impossible!" Lily sighed, letting her arms fall limp over his shoulders. She rested her head on his chest and sighed. "I guess we'll be here for a while."

"Doesn't matter, I've got all day," Randy chuckled, slowly rocking her back and forth. "And I mean it when I say I'm not moving until you accept my apology."

The two fell into silence, Lily's mind racing at the possible excuses to leave the room. A small part of her mind was also constantly reminding her of the fact that she was in Randy's arms, and she felt comfortable. She was actually enjoying feeling the warmth of his body against hers as he held her and it made her nervous. She decided it was because he was like big brother to her and she missed having him around.

"I miss you Lily," Randy muttered as if reading her thoughts. "I want my little sister back."

"Why must you do this to me, Randall" she sighed, "I accept your apology, and I mean it, can you please put me down now?"

Randy instantly let her feet touch the floor. He massaged his arms comically, "I thought's you'd never say it, my arms were killing me. You're heavy!"

"Thanks!" she smacked him playfully. "And if you ever pull that guilt trip crap again I swear!"

"You swear what?" he baited her with a grin. "You'll sick John on me? What?"

Lily stuck her tongue out at him and left the room. Randy followed a triumphant smile on his face.

XOXOXOXOX

"I'm assuming you two finally made up?" Kayla slurred as Lily resumed her seat next to her at the bar.

"Only because he wouldn't let me go, and he guilted me into feeling bad," she pouted, finishing her beer and motioning for another. "I hate it when men do that."

Kayla laughed and motioned for the bartender to get her another drink but Lily stopped him. "I think she's had enough."

"All right, then," he nodded. "I'll get you the tab."

"Before you do that get me a Coke," Randy sat down next to his girlfriend, wrapping his arm around her.

Lily rolled her eyes at them and got to her feet, "Here's my part of the bill, I have to get packed, I'm going back to Florida for the rest of my days off."

"Well then I'll see you at the hotel on Monday," Randy waved as she grabbed her bags.

"And you have fun dealing with a drunk Kayla, I wish you luck with that," she saluted him and left the room.