My One Night: An On My Own Novel Carrie Ryan (books to read to improve english TXT) 📖

and I agreed to. It may be construed as flirting, but we’re busy. It’s only texting. I text all of you guys, and none of you expect me to sleep with you.”

“And it’s a great shame that we haven’t yet,” Natalie said dryly, and I laughed, surprised.

“You are gorgeous. I’m just saying,” Corinne said, batting her eyelashes. “I do find it odd that we haven’t slept together. I mean, we’ve known each other forever. It’s only natural that we would turn from friends to lovers.”

I scrunched up my nose and filled my plate with cheese and other goodies. “You guys are such jerks,” I said.

Natalie smiled softly. “Maybe, but we’re your jerks. You love us.”

My phone buzzed, and everyone looked down at it. I let out a breath and read the name on the screen. “It’s just my mom. Not Dillon.” They all leaned back in their chairs, disappointment on their faces. “I love my mom. She’s allowed to call and text me. Don’t look so sad.”

Corinne pouted. “We just wanted it to be Dillon.”

“I was just texting Dillon, and he’s working. He’s not going to want to text me at all hours of the night.”

Natalie gave a dreamy sigh. “He should. You guys are so cute together.”

“You haven’t even seen me with him,” I said dryly.

“Maybe not, but Corinne said you guys were adorable. I don’t see what the problem is.”

“The problem is, we are just texting. Like people do. It doesn’t mean we’re going to sleep together again.” For some reason, voicing that annoyed me, urging me to the edge of sadness. I hated that feeling, so I ignored it. I simply looked down at my phone and read the text message.

Mom: Will you be coming over for dinner this weekend? We have a few things to talk about. And your father and I would like to discuss your grades.

I crossed my eyes and groaned.

“Your parents wanting to talk about your grades with you like you’re in middle school again?” Corinne asked, taking a sip of her soda.

“Yes. I don’t know when they’re going to realize that they don’t need to know everything I’m doing.”

“They will never get that. Not if you keep letting them butt in.”

I narrowed my eyes at Corinne. “I do not let them.”

“Yes, you do. All the time. You probably planned to go over there and show them your grades so you didn’t have to deal with confrontation.”

“I’m not a pushover.”

“No, you’re not. Which is why I don’t get why you do everything your parents say. Even if it doesn’t make sense.”

“It’s not like that.”

“It seems like it,” Corinne said, shrugging.

Natalie leaned forward. “I don’t know your parents, and mine are always checking on me. They’re even more overprotective than yours.”

I shook my head. “My parents aren’t overprotective in what I’m doing outside of school. They just want me on a set path, and since I’m not exactly going down that path, they want to know every little thing. I got a full-ride here, and I’ve been paying for school. The student loan I got pays for rent and food. Therefore, they don’t have to give me any money.”

“You’re right. That means you don’t owe them anything but your love and appreciation,” Corinne added.

“Maybe, but I still want to make them proud. It’s stupid.”

My phone buzzed again.

Mom: I hope you’re studying and not just ignoring me. We need to discuss your future. We can’t do that if you’re not telling us everything.

I sighed and began typing.

Me: Sunday works. However, I would only like to come for dinner if that’s okay. Grades aren’t even final yet.

I hadn’t meant to add that part. I didn’t need to qualify what I was doing. But she was my mom, and I hated disappointing her.

Mom: We’ll see you Sunday. Bring your grades.

I sighed, knowing she would ignore me. She was good at that.

“Sunday dinner with a report card?” Corinne asked dryly.

“That’s what we do.”

“Whatever you say,” Corinne said, and Nessa and Natalie shared a look. I had been friends with Natalie for a few years, Nessa since we started college, but they didn’t understand the dynamics between my mother and me like Corinne did. Not that Corinne or I understood what my mother wanted. Other than for us to do exactly what she desired.

My phone lit up again, and Corinne snatched it.

“I don’t want you dealing with your mother right now. Tonight’s just for us.” She looked down at the phone as I held out my hand, and a small smile crept over her face. “Oh, it’s not your mother.”

“Is it a dick pic?” Nessa asked, and Natalie laughed.

“Give me the phone,” I snapped, oddly worried.

“It’s just Dillon. He says he’s just getting home.” She handed over the phone, and that was indeed what Dillon had said.

I let out a sigh as the three girls stared at me.

“Answer him,” Natalie said.

“He didn’t ask me a question,” I retorted.

“Maybe not, but text him back. Don’t keep him waiting. Please? Let us live vicariously through you.”

“I hate you,” I grumbled but began typing.

Me: I’m glad. Was it a good day at work?

Dillon: It was. Good tips. I’m not old enough to be behind the bar yet, but I do okay for myself. My brothers needed an extra hand since one of their waitresses got sick, so I had to work a couple of hours later than planned. But now I get to start working on that paper that’s due.

I cringed. The girls stared at me.

“Just a paper. Everything’s fine.”

“Well, that’s not exciting,” Nessa grumbled, and the girls laughed. I shook my head.

Me: Is the paper due tomorrow?

Dillon: No, but I don’t know what I’m going to write, so it’s going to take me a while just staring at the screen.

Me: I’m the same way sometimes. I mean, sometimes I get the paper right away and it takes me half an hour. Other times, I stare at a blank screen for two hours and pretend that I know what I’m doing.

Dillon: That sounds like how I work. Anyway, I was wondering, are