The thing I hated most about my parents' divorce was probably the fact that in said divorce, they had shared custody of me. Not ofmy sisters because they're over eighteen. Just me. Consequently, I have to spend the weekend at my dad's house every once in while. It was going to suck even more now because of Jen being there.
It figures that on the same weekend Vaughn wants to take me out for dinner at a mystery place I have to spend the exact same weekend at my dad's.
Just fricking great.
Since Vaughn had to give me those puppy dog eyes and as we all know, I'm a sucker for those eyes; I told him that I'd go. Of course, I warned him that I was staying at my dad's. He didn't see the big deal.
"And?" Vaughn asked staring at me confused.
"And have I not told you how much my dad dislikes you?" I said staring back at him only more annoyed.
"Why does he dislike me again?" He asked. Oh for the love of God he was serious. He honestly didn't know.
"Because of that dinner at the Devlin's were you decided to text me and then come over to my house with my dad right there." I explained for him slowly just to make sure he grasped it all.
"Oh that," He said with a dismissive wave of his hand. "That was what? A month ago?"
"Maybe you haven't heard of my dad," I shot back at him. "He likes to hold onto grudges for as long as he possibly can."
"He sounds like my grande-mere." Vaughn mused. I believe he was trying to make a joke. Bad timing. Considering I'm trying to talk him out of meeting my dad and therefore not walking into some trap my dad undoubtedly has laid out for him. He noticed the look I was giving him. "What?"
I gave him a smack to the shoulder. "You know what."
"Well, he really does sound like my grande-mere." He insisted.
"The one who threw a chair out of the window?" I asked.
He nodded. "Yep, that one. She likes her grudges. I think the longest one she has is against someone who stole a penny from her…forty nine years ago."
Wow, seriously? A penny? Forty nine years ago? I get that money had more value almost fifty years ago but not to the point where a penny would be a big really deal. "Your grande-mere has a lot of problems."
Vaughn laughed. "Yeah she does. But so does your dad."
"Don't remind me," I mumbled.
"Hey," He said, putting his hand under my chin and tilting my head back so I had to look at him instead of staring intently at my lunch tray. "I think I can handle my own against your dad. Seriously."
"You're insane." I told him.
He took that as I gave up on trying to convince him to just forget about dinner until next week when I was back at my mom's. "I know but I'm still adorable."
"Or so I've been letting you believe." I joked.
"Ouch Syd, that hurt." He joked back.
"Good, it was supposed to." I shot back.
"I'll see you at seven, okay?" He asked changing the subject after giving me a swift kiss.
"Okay," I answered.
Now comes the hard part; telling Dad about the whole thing.
Of course, I had to procrastinate telling him until about a half hour before Vaughn's supposed to pick me up. Yeah, that's my entire fault.
"Hey Dad?" I started in my best you-love-me-so-you-have-to-give-me-whatever-I-want voice.
"Yes Sydney?" Dad answered, not looking up from his newspaper. I guess he didn't get the time to read it in the morning unless he makes it a habit now to read his paper at 6:40 at night. Hey, whatever floats his boat. I'm not here to judge.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Jen looking up from her novel and raise an eyebrow at me slightly. I suppose that's warranted because at the moment I was currently wearing a pair of corduroy jeans and a simple white shirt with my sea green suede jacket. My hair was done up in a chic ponytail with my bangs falling slightly over my eyes. In essence, I looked like I was going out for a date. Well, I was. So that's not really a bad thing.
I hope.
I bit my lip, thinking over what to say to Dad. Do I just blurt it out and tell him I'm going on a date with Vaughn and he was going to be there in less than a half hour? Well, sixteen minutes now. Or I could ease into it. I like that plan.
"Um…you know Vaughn, right?" I asked. That should have been a simple question except that I forgot my own warning about Dad having a grudge against Vaughn.
Stupid Sydney.
Dad looked up from his newspaper sharply, the scowl on his face deepening when he noticed my outfit. "What about Mr. Vaughn?"
Oh that's bad. Mr. Vaughn? That might as well be the kiss of death for Vaughn. Dad never calls people by their last names with a title before them unless their business associates or enemies. And I'm pretty sure that Vaughn's not in the airplane part business.
"Well, you see…" Come on, you can do this. It's just Dad. He loves you.
'But not Vaughn.'
See, that's my problem.
"…Vaughn and I are going out for dinner tonight." I said finally. So if Dad decides that he has to kill Vaughn now, Vaughn can always go live with his chair throwing grande-mere and his mother and sister in France. It's good to have a back up plan.
"Why wasn't I aware of this?" Dad asked. His voice was even but I could see that vein in his forehead starting to throb.
"Because I didn't tell you." Okay, so it's probably not in my best interest to play dumb but what does he expect? Vaughn to call him up and ask permission to take out his daughter? He didn't make any of Kady or Aimee's boyfriends to that. But then again, I'm the youngest. I hear from Mom because of that book of hers that parents tend to fond over their youngest child the most. Well, looks like I got the screwy end of the stick.
"That's not what I meant, Sydney," Dad replied already starting to get short with me. I think that's a new record. "Why didn't you tell me before today?"
"I forgot about it," I shrugged. That's right; make it seem like nothing. That'll really fool him.
"Did you?" Dad asked simply but it held a lot of second meaning. My whole look screamed that I hadn't forgotten about the date, just neglected to say anything.
I sighed. "Fine. I didn't forget. I just didn't want to tell you."
"Why not?"
Jen started to shift uncomfortably in her chair. Good, at least one good thing can come out of this. Making the bimbo squirm; my new favorite hobby.
"Because I still want to have a boyfriend after tonight," I shot back. Yep, that did it. There goes not only Vaughn's life but most likely mine as well. "I know what 'I want to have a long talk with that boy' means in your book, Dad."
"I just want to make sure you aren't going to get hurt," Dad answered, narrowing his eyes at me. See, if I knew what was good for me, I'd stop talking. But I don't, so I won't.
"I can take care of myself, Dad." I retorted. "I don't need your protection."
"You think that, but what happens if he breaks your heart? Hmm? What then?" Dad asked.
"Then it's another lesson learned," I answered simply. Okay, so either I'm over my cynicism –not sure if that's a good thing yet- or I'm maturing. Hmm…either way, it's not really that much fun sounding.
"I still want to talk to him," Dad said, brushing aside my comment. Of course we have to talk about things he wants to but when it comes to my topic, we drop it because he wants to. Is that fair?
I bit my lip again and nodded slowly. "Alright…I'm sure that five minutes won't delay us any."
Dad opened his mouth to protest, but Jen jumped in and spoke before he could. "Five minutes should be plenty of time, don't you think Jack?" She threw Dad one of those looks that said to shut up and just go with it. Thankfully Dad didn't say anymore. He merely nodded and accepted the situation.
Me on the other hand, I was deeply confused by Jen. Did she think that sticking up for me against my dad was going to win her any brownie points with me? She better not cause it's not gonna happen. That's stubborn and very immature of me, but I don't care. I don't want to be in her debt. That would put me in a very awkward position. Okay, awkward's a bad word. It would just suck. A lot.
The only sounds in the kitchen were the ticking of clock, my fingers tapping against the counter idly, and Dad's shuffling of the newspaper. It was going to drive me freaking insane. Actually, I think that's a little too late cause I already am insane.
Fabulous.
Finally, my nerves were relieved by the doorbell ringing. That meant only one thing. Vaughn was here. The man speeds and can read directions pretty damn well. Props to him.
Of course, while I was contemplating this, Dad got up from his position at the table and beat me to the door.
Shit.
Just as I was about to bolt out of the kitchen, Jen surprised me by grabbing my arm and blocking me from doing that. When I looked at her sharply, she shook her head and whispered, "It's not going to help your boyfriend any if you go in there."
Sadly, she was right.
"Good evening, Mr. Bristow." Vaughn said. Well, he was a pretty convincing ass-kisser. At least he has that going for him. "Is Sydney ready?"
"She'll be down in a moment," Dad answered. Liar! I'm already downstairs! "In the meantime, how about you and I have a little talk?"
While Jen could keep me from going into the foyer, she couldn't stop me from spying on them by having the swinging door to the kitchen slightly cracked open. In fact, she spied on them right there with me.
Vaughn looked nervous for a split second. "Sure."
"Good," Dad answered, allowing for Vaughn to come into the house and then closing the door promptly after him.
"Is this one of those 'what are your intentions with my daughter' talks?" Vaughn asked before Dad could get another word out. God, I hope he knows what he's doing.
This time Dad looked surprised. "Yes, in fact, it is."
Vaughn nodded. "Thought so." Okay, is he purposely trying to piss off my dad? Cause he's doing a better job than me. "In all due respect Mr. Bristow, I have no intention of hurting Sydney. I respect her and her decisions and I really don't see how you can have a problem with me when your ex-wife doesn't."
See, Vaughn, this is the kind of crap I was telling you to avoid. You do not tell –well, imply to- my father that he can't have a problem with us dating because my mother doesn't. That's not going to get you or me anywhere. Mom and Dad might still talk at times but they disagree over every little thing. Annoying as hell, I'm telling you.
Dad was silent for a moment before he nodded curtly. "Then I see we have nothing to talk about."
What. the. hell?
That is so not fair.
"It appears that way," Vaughn answered. Ok, so he can apparently prove to my dad that he is worthy of me. How come I couldn't do that? You know what, I don't want to know. "Do you think Sydney's ready now?" Oh my God, he knew that my dad was lying to him about me not being ready yet.
"I believe so," Dad replied. I could feel rather than see his glare at Vaughn.
I think that's my cue to come out of hiding and go have dinner with Vaughn. Not that I'm really complaining. Spying on 'the talk' between your dad and your boyfriend can make you hungry. Or the fact that it's seven at night could be it. Stop judging me.
Dad and Vaughn were too busy exchanging glares for either one to realize I camefrom the kitchen and not the stairs. "Ready Vaughn?" I asked, acting like I had no idea what was going on. I'd say that I was pretty convincing. My acting skills don't suck that badly.
That ended their little glaring war and Vaughn turned to me, a smile forming at the corners of his mouth as he caught sight of my outfit. "Yep," He answered, holding his hand out for me.
I took it, a smile tugging at my own lips. "I'll be back around ten, okay Dad?"
Dad forced a small nod. "Okay, Sydney." He answered. Oh I was so going to get a lecture after tonight.
"How'd the talk go?" I asked after the door closed behind us.
Vaughn let out a breathy laugh and squeezed my hand. "How'd you know about that?"
"Because it's my dad…and that's how he is," I answered. Well, there was no need to tell him that I'd heard the whole thing. This was his honesty test I suppose.
"Has he done it to all your boyfriends?" He asked. Wow, I can taste the jealously in his voice from a couple feet away.
"Well…you're the first one he's met. So, I'd say yes."
He looked at me, eyebrow cocked. "I'm the first boyfriend of yours he's met?" He questioned sounding awed.
"Well, yeah." I answered. Of course all my other boyfriends had been too scared to even think about meeting my dad. Let's just say, those relationships didn't last past a month.
"Interesting…" Vaughn mused. "From the way he carried on, I would have bet that he'd done that several times before."
"My sisters," I told him. "Especially Kady."
He was silent for a moment. "Have you heard from her yet?" He asked quietly.
I shook my head. "No…" I still had about three weeks left to be able to win my bet with Francie. My chances were not looking good. "Back to what I asked you like five minutes ago. The talk?"
Vaughn laughed as he opened the passenger side door for me. Yeah, he's trying to avoid answering the question. I don't know why though. I heard it, it wasn't that bad. "Well," He started finally as he turned the ignition over. "I'm not dead."
"No shit Sherlock," I retorted. "Come on…tell me."
"Why?" He asked, looking at me exasperated.
"Because if you don't, then I'll get the not good version from my dad." I threatened.
"You know just how to threaten a guy," He muttered. "Alright so…we glared at each other, I said I wasn't out to get you…and that'd be about it."
"You forgot the part where my dad had nothing to say back." I mumbled before I thought about it. Oh shit. That just busted me.
"Oh yeah, how do you know that?" Vaughn asked, giving me that you're-so-busted smirk.
"Because I was listening," I admitted looking down at my hands sheepishly.
Vaughn laughed. "I should've known."
"What's that supposed to mean?" I asked giving him a sharp look.
"Well…you're sneaky like that." He explained. What. the. hell. does. he. mean. by. that? Sneaky? How am I sneaky? I'm not entirely sure that I want to know the answer to that. "You should be a spy."
Now it was my turn to laugh. Hadn't I said that about my parents? Yep, thought so. "I am not going to be a spy."
He shrugged. "It was just a suggestion."
"Keep your suggestions to yourself then," I joked.
"Yes, Mummy." He joked back.
I rolled my eyes and hit him in the shoulder playfully. "So where are we going for dinner?"
"Now, who said anything about dinner?"
"Um, you did." I answered. Duh, he's the one who asked me out to dinner. Now he's playing dumb. Not gonna fly bucko.
"Oh yeah, huh." He said. Please tell me that it didn't just dawn on him that he had asked me out and he'd completely forgotten. God his memory sucks. "Guess we'll have to get dinner at the Pier."
"We're going to the Pier?" I asked turning my head to give him a confused look. He nodded and I added, "In January?"
"Why not?" He questioned. "It's L.A., it's always warm here."
I laughed softly. "You're so weird, Vaughn."
He laughed but didn't say anything else.
-break-
A slow happy exhale from me broke the silence as me and Vaughn strolled along on the Pier. I love the Pier. My mom used to take me here all the time when I was younger. She stopped when her and Dad starting having marital problems and we all know how that one turned out.
"Either you're really happy to be with me or that ice cream cone is giving you far too much pleasure," Vaughn joked grabbing my free hand and entwining our fingers.
I laughed softly and licked the ice cream cone again. "I'd say both. Though the ice cream's beating you by a small margin."
"You're just dead set on insulting me all you can tonight," He returned lightly.
"Maybe," I shrugged. "Or maybe you're just too easy to pick on, ever think of that?"
"Only once in a while," He answered vaguely.
"Oh yeah?" I asked turning my head towards him. "Care to elaborate?"
He shook his head. "Nope."
"Mean Vaughn," I whined.
"Control freak," He whined back.
I laughed again and leaned into his arm slightly. "See…a girl could get used to this." I remarked casually. I mean come on, I may be cynical beyond belief but I'm not stupid. Ice cream, the Pier, very good looking and sweet boyfriend, that's a pretty good thing. Now if only I could get myself to really and truly believe that.
I'm not entirely what he said but it sounded like he replied with, "That's the idea."
Next chapter: Valentines and jealous fits.