Filed to story: Submitting to My Bestie’s Daddy Read Online >>
I could tell that the argument between her and James was still bothering her. Their silent glances spoke volumes, but it wasn’t my place to pry.
*****
A few hours later, Tally and I were in a car headed across Miami to Il Gabbiano. It was a very upscale waterfront restaurant that catered to authentic Italian food.
I had only been here one other time with Tally, and that was when we were eighteen and James was trying to make Tally feel more at home. It was the one time when I met her uncle, James’ brother, Lucas.
Only six months later, Lucas died in a car accident and thinking about it now, it broke my heart. He was the sweetest man and was James’ biggest supporter.
“So, why are we going here?” I asked as we exited the car and walked towards the front door of the building. “This is very upscale, for a meager lunch with me.”
Laughing, Tally shook her head with a smile. “We are meeting someone here.”
Of course, we are. Why would I think it would just be the two of us?
As soon as we entered, the general manager greeted Tally like an old friend and quickly showed us to our table. My eyes widened in shock as I realized just who it was we were meeting.
It was none other than Allison Valentino—James’ ex wife.
“Mom!” Tally exclaimed with excitement as Allison stood and took her daughter into her arms.
“Oh, my goodness. I have missed you,” she said before her eyes set upon me. “Becca? Oh, goodness sweetie, how you have grown!”
Smiling, I hugged her as well as we took our seats. “Thank you. It’s been a long time.”
“Indeed. You’re not that plump little girl with glasses and unkempt hair anymore.” Her response was taunting, and irritation swelled within me.
“Yes, that would be correct,” I gritted out with a fake smile, “and you seem to have gotten a makeover at the doctor’s office. Do they have talented surgeons down here?”
Her eyes blanked at my comment as she stared at me. Tally was completely unphased about what we were discussing, but an unmistakable message came clear across with Allison’s stare.
“Yes, they do actually,” she smirked. “I have one I can offer for you if you would like.”
Chuckling to myself, I shook my head. “No, thank you. I prefer a more natural look, but I appreciate the offer.”
Uncomfortable silence sat around the table after my words. All of our eyes were on the menu as our server brought our drinks and took our order.
I had almost forgotten why I didn’t like Tally’s mother, and within fifteen minutes of being in her presence, she reminded me why I couldn’t stand her.
She was judgemental and sadistic. A completely narcissistic bitch from hell.
“So, Mom…” Tally finally said, breaking the silence, “I have to tell you something I found out.”
Oh f*ck. She isn’t…
“What’s that, sweetie?” Allison smiled sweetly.
“Well, Daddy took us on the yacht this past weekend and some of the other girls were talking about how two of my guests overheard him f*cking someone on the boat. Someone that I’m friends with.”
Allison gasped at the news covering her mouth with her hand as she acted upset.
“He didn’t…. Why would he do that to me?” She pretended to sob. “I don’t understand what I did to deserve to be treated like this.”
It took everything in me not to snap at this woman and remind her she was the one who cheated on him, and they were also divorced. I couldn’t stand women like this.
“Yeah, it was horrible. Becca and I tried to think who it could be, but we are both disgusted by it. To think one of these little bitches I invited is or was f*cking my dad.”
Allison’s eyes went to me and quickly scanned over my body. “Did you do it?”
“Excuse me?” I asked shocked. “Did I do what?”
“Mom. No!” Tally quickly butted in. “It wasn’t Becca. He barely looks at her and sees her like another daughter. Trust me, I would know if it was Becca.”
Allison continued to stare at me as if unsure of her daughter’s answer. A smirk crossed my lips as I picked up my glass of water and downed my drink. My eyes never left hers as I raised my brow in question to what she was staring at.
“That’s true,” Allison finally sighed. “She’s too fat anyway.”
“Mom!” Tally gasped. “Stop being like that towards Becca. She has been my best friend for years!”
For once, Tally had my back with something, and I was grateful she was willing to stand up to her mother for me. However, spending time with this woman wasn’t something I wanted to continue doing.
“Fat?” I laughed watching Allison and Tally look at me. “I don’t know who you are calling fat, because if I remember correctly you were two sizes bigger than me when you divorced him. But that’s just an estimation.”
Allison’s mouth dropped open as she looked at me with utter disbelief. Tally tried her best to call the waiter over to pour more wine, and all the while, I couldn’t help but let a smug smile cross my face.
“I need the ladies room.” Allison quickly stood up as she walked away from the table. Tally’s eyes followed her until they quickly snapped back to me.
“Did you really have to say that? You know she is sensitive about her divorce.”
“Are you kidding me?” I cackled, shaking my head with amusement. “Your mother called me fat and made snarky comments more than once. She deserved what I said.”
“Becca!” Tally gasped. “What the hell is wrong with you today? Why are you acting like this?”
Shrugging my shoulders in an ‘I don’t give a shit’ way as I rolled my eyes, I said, “Perhaps I’m just tired of everyone thinking they can treat me however they want. If people don’t want to give respect, then they won’t get it.”
Finishing up my food, I remained quiet the entire time I listened to them discuss how they could find out who it was James was sleeping with. My mind soaked in the information so I could repeat it to James.
I had to warn him. If Tally was getting her mother involved, it wouldn’t be good.
“Becca, are you paying attention?” Tally asked, bringing me back to the present.
“Uh–yeah, sorry. I was thinking about something,” I admitted, watching as Allison rolled her eyes in disgust.
“I was asking if you wanted to go get drinks with Mom and I,” she replied.
Yeah, definitely not. “Uh, actually, I think I am going to head back. Why don’t you and the dragon spend some time together? You guys don’t get to do it very often.”
“F*cking bitch,” Allison sneered, causing Tally and I both to roll our eyes.
There wasn’t enough money in the world that could pay me to be around this woman anymore. She had pissed me off enough for one day, and if she wasn’t careful, she would get my size eight shoe straight up her ass.
I was serious about one thing. I wasn’t taking shit from anyone anymore.
I was going to start making a way for myself.
First though, I had to find James.
Anger pulsated through me as I clutched my purse tightly and stormed across the parking lot of the restaurant towards my Uber. I couldn’t believe Tally had me go to lunch with that bitch.
When I was younger, she had always made small comments, but never did she have the balls to speak to me the way she did today. I guess she thought now she could say what she wanted since I was an adult.
I just don’t think she expected me to bite back like I did.
“To Valentino Imports?” the driver asked, looking at the app to verify my destination.
“Yes, please. If you get there quickly, I’ll give you a fat tip.”
I couldn’t wait to get there and tell James what had happened. I wasn’t usually one to run and tattle, but Tally was playing a dangerous game by involving her mother.
And of course, the girl they were trying to find was me!
Scrolling through my phone, I opened my text messages to James.
‘Are you still at work?’
The message quickly turned red, and as I saw the dots pop up, I smiled.
He was quick to reply to me, and something about that made my stomach flip.
‘Yeah, but leaving shortly. What’s wrong?’