Read Playing Patience for Free Online Page B

it involves a lot of heavy breathing, high-pitched moans, and bad words.” She smirked. “He looks like a hair puller. God, I’d let him spank me with his drumsticks.” Big laughter spilled from her lips when my face heated up.
    “Um, I’m pretty sure that would constitute abuse.” I snorted. “Anyway, that’s gross. I wouldn’t touch his drumsticks, much less any other kind of stick. At least wait a while before you sleep with him.” I rolled my eyes and pretended to gag.
    “Oh, whatever, I don’t sleep with every guy that shows me some attention. Plus, I really like this one, but if it makes you feel better, I promise to make him wait.” She playfully nudged my arm with a painted finger.
    “Good. Okay, chick, I’ll see you in the morning. Try and be here at a decent time. If I’m late one more time, Ms. Marshall’s going to give me detention, and if I get detention I’ll miss practice.”
    “I’ll try, but I make no promises. This master piece takes time.” She motioned at her face and tilted her head back and forth like she was posing for a camera.
    “Okay, oh gorgeous one. Just be here.” I pushed my door open.
    “With bells on,” she said with a big cheesy smile.
    I climbed out and then watched as her car jerked down the road. Grinding gears sounded until I could no longer see her taillights.
    My dad was standing in the marble foyer when I pushed through the front door. His angry eyes devoured me as I took off my coat and hung it in the closet. I felt my stomach turn at the attention.
    “Was that your friend Megan?” he asked, as he leaned a hip against the little table by the front door.
    “Yes, we were just hanging out.” I put my head down, tucked my hair behind my ears, and started to creep around him.
    I tensed when I felt him grab my arm in passing. He leaned in toward me; his lips grazed my cheek as he whispered in my ear.
    “That girl’s bad news. I’m not sure I’m okay with you going out partying God knows where with her. You’re meeting the wrong kind of people, Patience, and if I find out you’ve been doing anything bad with anyone I’m going to be very angry.” I didn’t miss his meaning. “That boy that helped you last night, I’m assuming that was the first time you met him?”
    He was acting like a jealous boyfriend instead of a pissed-off father. It was disgusting. My entire life was a psychology book in the making. Tech students would take tests based on the appalling details of my dysfunctional family one day.
    “Last night was the first time I’d ever seen him, and even then I wasn’t properly introduced. You know, since I was practically dying and everything.” My voice was calm and cool, but my words were sarcastic.
    “Don’t be a smartass, Patience. Stay away from him. Don’t let me find out you were on that side of town again, do you understand?” His fingers started to dig into my arm and I hissed as his pinky nail cut skin.
    “Yes,” I whispered.
    “Yes, what?” He reached up and brushed my hair to the side.
    “Yes, sir,” I repeated respectfully as I pulled my arm away from his death grip.
    “There you are! Where have you been, Pay?” My sister Sydney came bursting into the space.
    Dad stepped away from me, and the room instantly felt lighter after seeing her smile. While I was the older, gloomy daughter of depression, Syd was the sunlight in our home. She was twelve and just now coming into herself. I’m pretty sure she wasn’t planned since there was such a large age gap between her and me, but instead of being annoyed by my baby sister, like I’m sure most girls my age were, I adored being around her. She made me feel needed and technically she did need me.
    I was the one that shielded her from him. I used my body as a distraction so hers could remain untouched, and I’d continue to do that until she was safe and sound and out on her own. She’d never know about what went on behind my door some nights and I’d sure as hell never