Read Online Double Lucky by Jackie Collins - Free Book Online Page A

inwardly. Friday nights Lucky made a point of everyone sitting down for the whole family dinner thing. Why did she have to be there? Surely she had enough of Gino Junior and his lech friends all week?
    â€œBut Mom—” she began, working it hard.
    Lucky shot her daughter a look. Friday nights were important, especially this Friday with everyone arriving. She’d planned on taking over the kitchen herself and making the one dish she excelled at: pasta and meatballs with her special sauce. It was Lennie’s favorite meal, and preparing it was her favorite therapy. Besides, she’d always encouraged her kids to bring their friends, so why was Max so intent on giving her a hard time?
    â€œYou should be here,” she said, throwing her daughter another long, steady look. “Everyone wants to see you.”
    Max frowned. This Friday-night family deal was totally lame, she was so not into it, even though her friends couldn’t wait to come over for Friday dinner. “Damn, girl!” Cookie was always informing her. “You actually, like, have a family. All I’ve got is my dad, an’ all he has is a different big-boobed skank like every other second. An’ he gets to fuck ’em. I have to talk to them, so Friday night at your house rocks!”
    It infuriated Max that both Cookie and Harry considered Lucky and Lennie the coolest parents ever.
    â€œ You don’t have to live with them,” she would often point out. “They’re not that easy. My mom can be a total pain. When I got that tattoo on my thigh she went total ape shit.”
    â€œI’d swap ’em for mine any day,” Harry would always reply. “At least they notice you’re alive.”
    Max had to admit that on the very few occasions she’d seen them, Harry’s parents were quite scary. And as for Cookie’s dad, Gerald M., he was a major sex addict.
    â€œEveryone will see me on Sunday at the big party,” Max said, flashing Lennie a pleading look. “Dad…”
    â€œWhat’s the deal?” Lennie asked, finally putting down his script.
    â€œOne of Cookie’s friends is having a blowout birthday thing Saturday night,” Max said, words tripping over each other. “And Mom says I can’t go. But if I’m back in time for Grandpa’s party…” She trailed off, continuing to gaze pleadingly at Lennie, all intense green eyes and innocent expression.
    Lennie got the message. “Hey, Lucky,” he said. “Whyn’t you let her go? What’s the big problem?”
    â€œNo problem,” Lucky responded, suddenly feeling like the uptight mother figure, a feeling she did not appreciate. “I guess as long as she’s back for Gino’s party it’s okay.”
    â€œI, like, so will be,” Max dutifully promised, vainly attempting to subdue her triumphant expression.
    â€œWe’ll need the number where you’re at,” Lucky said, sensing that somehow or other she’d just lost out. It pissed her off when Lennie overruled her without even a discussion about what they should do. Parenting was supposed to be a joint venture—something Lennie didn’t seem to get.
    Lennie winked at his willful but quite beguiling daughter. “Happy now?” he asked.
    â€œThanks, Dad,” she said, giving him a quick hug, then hurriedly fleeing before Lucky changed her mind.
    On the way to her room Max made a mental note that the next time she wanted anything she should ask while Lennie was around; he was way easier to deal with than her mom.
    Upstairs she called Cookie. “It’s on!” she announced. “I’m driving up there tomorrow.”
    â€œTomorrow?” Cookie said. “Doesn’t that screw up Friday dinner at your house?”
    â€œDinner’s a no-go,” Max explained. “I told them this thing in Big Bear is for one of your friends, so natch you’ll be coming with