“Honey, we’re leaving in one minute!” my mother called from downstairs.
“Okay, one second!” I turned back to the phone where Jackson waited impatiently. Apparently, there was a massive video game tournament going on at Oliver’s and I was missing it. “Sorry I can’t come hang tonight.”
“That’s okay, your mom wants you to be safe. We do too.”
Mom had a Civil Service banquet tonight. She was going with Chief O’Neal and a few other people from the station. I tried to tell her I could hang with the guys but the look she gave me said, hell no. She knew my social life had started revolving around them, and she liked them, but she was always worried about me isolating myself in one way or the other. In other words, I needed to branch out.
“Being agreeable seems to be the best route. Especially if I’m pushing for a late curfew the night of the dance.”
“Wise woman,” he said, raising his voice over the shouts of activity.
“I’ll miss you,” I said quietly.
“We’ll miss you too,” he replied. I heard the smile in his voice. “We’re all actually in one place tonight. It’s a miracle.”
“Have a guy’s night. Play video games. Inhale pizza. Don’t,” I said in a stern voice, “watch porn.”
“You’re the only porn we need, babe.”
I rolled my eyes and grabbed my bag off the bed. “I don’t know if that’s the compliment you think it is.”
“Hey! You knew it was a compliment, that’s all that matters.”
“Heaven!” my mom shouted from downstairs.
“Gotta go.”
“Bye.” He held out the phone and a chorus of ‘goodbyes’ sounded through the speaker.
I zipped up my sweatshirt on the way down the stairs. Mom had already gone to the car and honked the car horn as I was tying my hair up in a ponytail. Although I’d gotten used to my new style, the good about seeing Justin and going to the beach was I could ditch the heels and go for comfort.
“Sorry,” I said, sliding in the passenger seat. Oceanside was on the way to the civic center where the banquet was being held.
My mother turned and looked at me. “You look nice.”
I didn’t, but the message was conveyed. Nice = not slutty. Thanks, Mom.
We drove out of Allendale and down the highway to the island. Halfway there, my phone buzzed silently in my pocket.
A photo appeared of all four guys blowing me a kiss. I couldn’t help but laugh.
When I looked up, my mother was smiling.
?
??What?” I asked.
“You—smiling at that phone. Jackson?” she asked. Of course, she thought it was my “only” boyfriend. I felt guilty for lying over something so big, yet so trivial.
“Yeah—just a silly picture of him and the guys.”
She nodded. “Are you two excited about the dance? I saw the cutest dress the other day...”
I stopped her before she went too far. “I have one."
“You do?” She pursed her lips. I wasn’t sure if she was disappointed I found one already, or something else.
“What, Mom?” I pressed.