Page 37 of Learn Your Limits

Chapter thirty-five

Reid

Thanksgiving is a holiday that’s meant to be spent with family, enjoying each other’s company and sharing in all of the things to be thankful for. For my father, Arthur Callahan, it’s just another chance to meet with clients and make the business, and himself, look good.

Just once I would like to have a traditional Thanksgiving spent with family or close friends. It would be nice to not have to “be on my best behavior” just to make an impression.

When I was a kid, I remember hearing classmates talk about their different family traditions for the holiday and always being so envious.

Some kids had families who would all gather at a grandparent’s house where they would cook and bake endless recipes together until it was time to indulge.

Some kids had families where everyone cooked at home but then got together to have a pot-luck style meal.

I even remember having a friend whose family didn’t cook at all.

They just ordered pizza and spent the day in their pajamas, watching movies and having fun.

Either way, it all sounded amazing to me.

Amazing and a hundred times better than the way I’ve grown used to spending any kind of holiday.

This one won’t be much different, aside from Avalon being dragged along to endure the same sort of Hell.

Like me, she has someone else she would rather be spending the holiday with.

We hit it off as friends after our first forced date, and she has become someone I’m able to confide in when the stress of everything gets to be too much.

Milo has been amazing, and I know he would happily listen to me vent, but I hate the idea of piling my stress on his shoulders when he has his own to deal with.

The mere idea of spending the entire afternoon and evening with my father made me restless enough that my body was radiating with stress, and not even a solid three mile run could dispel it.

When I got back to the apartment, I snapped a picture of the beads of sweat trailing down my bare torso and sent the picture to Milo.

If anything is going to keep me sane today, it’s him.

Knowing that he’s just a text or phone call away eases a hint of the nausea churning in my stomach.

With the stress of my father’s expectations and the Callahan name hanging over my head, I took my time showering, cleaning up my facial hair, and getting dressed in a pair of dark gray slacks and a navy blue long-sleeve button down.

Putting on the pair of dark brown dress shoes felt a bit like slipping into a character I’ve been trying to forget, and slipping the coordinating leather belt around my waist was the final piece of the costume.

When I was sure not a single piece of hair was out of place, I stood in front of my bedroom mirror and slid one hand into my pocket, my gaze raking over my reflection.

Holding my phone in the other hand, my lips curled into a slight smirk as I took a photo and sent it to Milo. He’ll be driving for a few hours, so I don’t expect a text back right away.

CallMeCal: Here's hoping today isn’t a complete disaster.

CallMeCal: [attached image]

CallMeCal: How do I look?

When I pulled up outside of Avalon’s townhouse, I only sat in the car long enough to send off another quick text to Milo, letting him know that I miss him and would much rather be spending the day with him instead of putting on a show for my parents.

I’m at least thankful to have a friend by my side to deal with whatever this day may bring.

“Are you ready for this?” Avalon asks from beside me as we pull up to the gates of the neighborhood community where I grew up.

If it weren’t for the exclusive members-only country club associated with the community, my father would prefer to live somewhere more secluded, but the social aspect of living here has kept my mom happy.

“Not even a little.” I give her a slight smile as I roll my window down and turn to face the guard at the gates.

He doesn’t offer any kind of formal greeting, just eyes me through his dark glasses as he stands with a tablet in his hand.

“Reid Callahan and Avalon Castillo,” I tell him, choosing not to bother with a greeting either.

He swipes a finger over the screen for a minute before giving a curt nod. “Enjoy your day,” he says, his tone cold and robotic.

There was a time when I wouldn’t have thought twice about the lack of humanity that some people show, but being away from this life has opened my eyes to how empty most of these people are.

When I glance over at Avalon, she rolls her eyes and shakes her head, reaching over to squeeze my forearm. “We got this,” she says. “It’s one day, Reid. We’ll get through this. We just have to convince them we’re together, then you can take me home and spend the rest of the weekend with your guy.”

We managed to make it through the first half of the afternoon with my father being cordial.

And by cordial, I mean he’s hardly said two words to me.

He greeted me with an approving smile when I walked in with my hand on the small of Avalon’s back, but apparently, that’s all he truly cared about.

He just wanted to see that I’d made a good impression with Lorenzo Castillo’s daughter and was playing the part expected of me.

Now, as we all sit around the large dining room table that would easily fit sixteen people, the air is thick with tension. My mom, Nora, is locked in conversation with Avalon’s mom, Eleanor, and they both seem completely oblivious to their surroundings.

“How are your studies, Reid? You know I expect high marks from you,” my father asks, his voice cutting through the silence as he leans back in his chair and eyes me from his place at the head of the table.

His question takes me by surprise. He doesn’t usually bother to ask about how school is going or show any kind of care for my personal life.

If it doesn’t directly impact him, he’s not interested.

A spark of hope flickers in my chest as I say, “They’re going well. I’ve got a paper I’m working on for—”

“Good,” he cuts me off before turning to face Avalon’s dad at his side. “Lorenzo, I heard Avalon’s almost completed her first year of grad school.”

My chest constricts at the easy dismissal, but I don’t know why his response astonishes me. Avalon reaches over and places her hand on my forearm, squeezing it gently to catch my attention. She offers me a soft smile when my eyes lift to hers.

“Yes, that’s right,” Lorenzo nods before lifting his wine glass to his lips, taking a sip and then turning his attention on me. “So, Reid. When you’re not busy with your studies or courting my daughter, what sort of extracurriculars are you involved in?”

My eyes flick in my father’s direction, watching as his brows furrow when his dark gaze falls on mine. His hair has more silver in it than brown these days, and the frustration written across his face only amplifies his age.

“I spend most of my free time dr—”

“Reid doesn’t have time for any extracurriculars. He’s always busy studying and working to stay ahead in class. Isn’t that right, son?” My father raises a brow as he sips from his glass.

“Well, I think I’ve had enough of this conversation.” My mother, Nora, says as she elegantly raises a hand to grab the attention of one of the hired cater waiters. Because of course my family can’t be bothered with cooking any meal themselves. “Who’s ready for dessert?”

Avalon reaches into the small purse sitting in her lap and pulls out her phone, swiping a finger across the screen as she reads a text. “Actually, Reid, would you mind giving me a ride home? I have a deadline I can’t miss.”

She’s giving me an out.

“Of course,” I say with a smile, placing my fabric napkin on my plate and pushing back from the table to stand.

Avalon stands as she says, “Thank you for the wonderful meal, Mr. and Mrs. Callahan. It was a pleasure to meet you both.” The sweet tone of her voice has me faking a cough to conceal a laugh as I bring a fist to my mouth, trying to cover the sound.

She gives me a look that tells me to knock it off before she leans down to plant a kiss on her father's cheek.

We say the necessary goodbyes before I step toward her, placing my hand on her lower back and guiding her toward the door.

“Thanks for giving me that escape,” I tell her as we pull up outside of her place.

She unbuckles her seat belt and then turns to face me with a gentle sigh. “It's ridiculous that we still cave to their every whim.”

She's right, it is fucking ridiculous. But I don't know what the alternative is. I'm twenty-three years old, and I'm still relying on their financial support to get through school and cover all the essentials. Avalon is only a little bit older, and she’s still putting up with her family’s bullshit. Though from what she’s told me, she likes to push back more than I do.

“I don't even want to be in grad school.” Her voice is so low, I'm not sure the words are meant for me.

“I mean, at least not right now. I wanted to take time off to travel and see the world. But we do what we have to, right?” She shrugs as she opens the passenger side door and steps out.

“Now, go get your man,” she says with a smile before closing the door and making her way inside.

I wait until the front door is closed behind her and I know she's safely inside before I pull out my phone and check the messages that came in earlier from Milo.

JustMilo: Beyond gorgeous as always, baby.

JustMilo: You look like you should be on my arm and spending the holiday with me rather than a gathering that brings such sadness to your eyes.

Pressure builds behind my eyes as I read over his messages again and again.

Dropping my head back against the headrest, I run a hand over my face and force back the tears threatening to make an appearance.

All I want to do after the day I’ve had is curl up on the couch beside Milo and find solace in his arms.

Instead, I’m going home to an empty apartment.

Both of my roommates went home to see their families, and Milo is in Sedona visiting his.

If our relationship wasn’t something that needed to be kept a secret, I’d ask him for the address and make the drive or book a flight and put it on the credit card that my father pays for.

I wouldn’t be going home to spend the weekend alone. Maybe I’d even get to spend what’s left of the holiday break with a real family and not the joke of one that I was born into.