Blow (TKO 3)

“We’ll see you then.”

I end the call and hit my hand against the steering wheel. Things are so fucked up right now and I have no clue how to fix them. I’m just ready to get home. Instead of looking over all the photos, I think I’ll take a nap until it’s time to go eat dinner. That is, if I can even fall asleep. My heart is heavy from all this turmoil.

***

My alarm rings loudly on my phone, pulling me away from the nap I needed so badly. I thought I’d have trouble falling asleep but the minute I closed my eyes, I was passed out. As soon as I turn off the alarm and sit up, my phone begins vibrating again. I hope it’s Ruston so I can apologize, but instead it’s Austin. I notice this is not the first message but instead it’s the seventh. Holy shit, I slept through all the notifications. The messages start off with a simple:

Hey

Then reverts to:

I’m worried, are you okay?

I really need to text him back and let him know I’m fine.

I’m so sorry! I fell asleep when I got home.

It’s okay, I was just beginning to get worried. I didn’t know if you got lost in the fields today.

I laugh at his lame attempt at a joke before I reply.

Nope, I know my way around :)

Want to grab dinner tonight?

I can’t. My mom and dad are back in town from their vacation and I’m going there. Rain check?

Of course. Have a good time.

I will! I’ll talk to you later.

I toss the phone on my bed and hurry to get ready. I’m fine wearing these clothes but I just want to freshen up a little bit. Two minutes later, I grab my phone and my purse, then lock the door. Soon, I’m in my car and on my way to see my two favorite people in the world.

I pull into the driveway and smile when I see their car sitting there. I walk in without knocking and head straight for the kitchen. Mom is putting the finishing touches on a pot of potato salad and I look around for Dad. Mom wraps her arms around me and I hug her tightly.

“Where’s Dad?”

“He’s outside grilling some chicken and steaks. Where’s Ruston?” Mom looks around just in case he slipped past her or something.

“Um, he’s not here. It’s just me.”

“Is everything all right?” She eyes me. What is it with a mother being able to know what’s wrong without any sort of indication of a problem?

“It’s good, Mom.”

“Tamilyn Grace. You’re lying to me.” She sets the spoon on the plate beside the stove and places her hand on her hip. I cringe at my full name. It’s almost as bad as Ruston calling me Tammy Lou.

“Mom, not now, please,” I beg her.

“You know you can tell me anything, Tamilyn. Maybe I can help you through whatever it is.”

I know she means well. She always does, and I always tell her everything, but something about this situation just seems so damn complicated. I start off telling her about Austin moving to town, and how jealous Ruston got. I cringe when I tell her how Ruston and I drunkenly had sex and we admitted our feelings for each other. I explain how I broke Ruston’s heart when I told him I honestly wanted to give Austin a chance, and how I haven’t heard from him before I shut up and wait for whatever motherly advice she’s about to throw at me.

“Sit down, Tamilyn.” She points to the kitchen chairs. She sits beside me and pulls my hand into hers. “I think everyone has been waiting for you two to finally get together. You made a mistake, and I know you think everything is ruined, but just give it a little time. True friends don’t just give up on each other no matter what happens. I know seeing you with his cousin must be tough. You haven’t slept with him too, have you?”

“No, mom, I’m not a slut,” I inform her.

“I never said you were. I was just asking. But what I’m saying is, do what makes you happy. If you want to give Austin a chance, do it. It won’t hurt anything. Oh, and I forgot to tell you, but Paula, Mark, and Ruston are coming over for dinner. I hope this doesn’t make anything awkward.”