Wesley James Ruined My Life by Jennifer Honeybourn

Author:Jennifer Honeybourn [Honeybourn, Jennifer]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Published: 2017-07-17T18:30:00+00:00

thirteen.

Dad waits until I’ve almost finished my breakfast before dropping his bombshell.

“I don’t understand,” I say, blinking at him. I set my fork on the plate, my appetite obliterated. “You said you needed that money to pay off your bookie.”

“Yes, well, that was the plan.” The smile hasn’t slipped from his face, but he won’t meet my eyes. “But then I got a tip on a horse. A sure thing.”

I do not like where this story is going. Not at all. “There’s no such thing.”

Dad rips open a packet of sugar and dumps it into his coffee cup. He picks up a spoon and starts to methodically stir, using the distraction to gather his thoughts. “The thing is, ladybug, I really believed that I could double our investment,” he says. “I was sure I’d make enough to pay him off and send you on your trip.”

There is a small corner of my heart that is hoping—praying—that he’s going to tell me he came through this time. That he’s not going to say he lost all my money on a stupid bet. “And?”

He grimaces. “And … well. Turns out Irish Whiskey wasn’t such a sure thing after all.” He finally meets my eyes and, with that, the last bit of hope I had of getting to London is gone.

How could I be so stupid? I gave him all of my money. I gave him my dream. And for what? So he could gamble it away on a horse?

The worst part is, I should have known better. I’ve seen what he’s done to my mom, to Celia. Even to my gran. I just didn’t think he’d ever do it to me.

“I can’t believe this.”

“Ladybug, I know you’re upset,” he says, reaching for my hand. “But I will pay you back. This is a minor setback. I’ve had a streak of bad luck, that’s all. Gambling is all about odds—it’ll turn around. I just need to catch a break.”

I’m going to throw up. Right in the middle of this restaurant.

“I’ll make it back. I always do,” he says.

Not true. Not even close to being true.

“So what now?” I shake his hand off. “What about your bookie? How are you going to pay him? He doesn’t exactly look like a patient person.”

“Keep your voice down.” Dad glances at the couple at the table next to us. They’re staring at their menus, pointedly trying not to eavesdrop. “I told you, I’ll figure it out,” he whispers. “Trust me.”

Trust him? That’s all I’ve ever done. And look where it’s gotten me.

“What about your job interview?” If he got the job, maybe he could make enough to pay me back. Please God.

He flinches. “Yeah, that didn’t work out, unfortunately.”

Of course it didn’t.

I push my chair back and grab my messenger bag from underneath the table. “I have to go.”

“Quinn, please,” he says. “I know you’re disappointed you’re not going to London, but—”

“Yeah, I am. Of course I am. But that is nothing compared to how disappointed I am in you.

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