Free Plus None 2 by Emily Hemmer

dripping in condescension, “we’re supposed to be mingling together.” She turns to Juan and rolls her eyes. “I swear, I need a GPS to find this man at parties.”
    Alex frowns when she swats playfully at his chest. The move makes me want to rip her skinny arm off.
    “I wasn’t hiding,” he says.
    “Yes,” Juan interrupts, “Alex was just introducing me to Paige’s lovely sister.” His compliment rings a little hollow. “Are you two acquainted?”
    Cadence fixes me with a razor-sharp gaze and a beauty queen smile. “Oh yes, Charlotte and I have known each other for years. Ever since the first time she came to visit Paige at school.”
    Juan’s interest perks.  He returns his attention to me. “Oh, are you a fellow Longhorn?” he asks, referencing Paige’s school mascot.
    Cadence snorts.
    “No.” I straighten my back. “I went to TCU.”
    Her lip twitches.
    I return her smirk. I may be poor, but I ain’t stupid. “On a full scholarship.”
    I desperately want to add that I fucked the Best Man on his kitchen counter three days ago, but wisely hold back.
    For the first time since learning I traveled here on the Harlow County crazy-train, Juan seems both pleased and impressed. “Wonderful. What degree do you possess?”
    All aboard! Next stop, Hillbilly Holler. “I studied geology. I’ve always been fascinated by what we’re standing on.” I look down and tap the little rocks beneath my boots.
    “Is that so? I’ve worked with many geologists over the years in my business.”
    “So has Charlotte,” Cadence pipes in, “She got firsthand experience with a couple of them while working out at the oil fields.”
    Juan cocks his head to the side, impressed. My stomach twists itself in knots. “Is that where you did your field research?”
    “No, I, uh, I never graduated.”
    Cadence grins wickedly. Juan grimaces.
    “Charlie is a small business owner.”
    I jump, startled by Alex’s voice. He’s been suspiciously and irritatingly quite during my interrogation.
    “Really?” Juan’s interest is more reserved this time. “What kind of business?”
    I open my mouth, but Alex answers for me. “A bakery in her hometown. It’s been a big success for her.”
    Again I open my mouth to interject, I’d hardly call barely breaking even a big success, but Juan cuts me off.
    “I’m sure her parents are very proud.”
    Alex responds forcefully. “She has plans to expand in another year. Maybe even grow her brand into something like a franchise.”
    Franchise? Who am I, Ronald McDonald? I lean over and look back at Alex. He’s glaring at his father. Juan’s eyes turn into slits.
    I’ve found myself in the middle of something I want no part of.
    “Tell me, Charlie.” Juan reluctantly releases his son’s glare, and fixes a cold hard stare on me. “What do your parents do?”
    An uncomfortable pause falls over our little group. “My father still works in the oil fields over in Harlow and my mother passed when I was twelve.”
    Juan bows slightly in my direction. “I’m very sorry for your loss.”
    It’s silly, she’s been gone for years, but the mention of my mother brings old pain to my chest. I’m so desperately uncomfortable standing here, all I want is to run into her arms. I swallow hard and look away.
    Cadence, unable to stand the silence, chirps happily at Juan about running into a mutual family friend. I’m grateful for her inability to shut the hell up for once. She’s taken the attention off of me.
    On the drive up I had butterflies in my stomach, nervous about making a good impression on Paige’s future in-laws. I wanted to prove to her, and maybe myself, that our family was just as good, just as deserving as the wealthy clan she’s marrying into. Now I find my cousins running amuck and my aunts acting like a bunch of hopeful grave robbers. Worst of all, I find myself being used as a Monopoly piece in a twisted game between Alex and his father.
    Alex shifts so he’s further