“I don’t know, it’s as if they get this look in their eye like they’re trying to decide if I’m a scum-sucking cheating asshole or what.”
I shake my head. “We’re going to get through this. You’re going to show them exactly who you are and there will be no doubt that you got set up.”
He nods, and looks down the street where the police officer is climbing into his cruiser. “C’mon, gorgeous. Let’s get moving and get this done.”
Within minutes we reach the small store wedged between two skyscrapers.
Like most of my gender, I enjoy a trip to a pharmacy. And right now, any chance to get the hell outside is a beautiful thing. But this is actually fun. I peruse the boxes of hair dye. “Think I’d look good as a redhead?”
“You’d look good as anything,” he murmurs.
“You’re going to regret saying that when I shave my head due to a combination of sheer boredom and frustration over the state of my roots.”
Evan stares at the top of my skull. “Bald would be an interesting choice. But whatever works for you, baby.”
“Look at you being all supportive and wonderful.” I grin.
“I’m not getting put in time out again. Not this close to game day.”
“No. Stop. Do not compare our sex life to a sport. I forbid it.” I point a finger at him, my packets of allergy medication safely in the other hand. One way or another, I’m probably going to get exposed to the wonderful fluffiness that is Gloria sometime soon. Best to be prepared. But back to the boy. “No, Evan. Just no.”
He smiles.
I move down the aisle, checking out the selection of hair brushes and other things. “I was wondering about giving myself bangs, though. Just for something different.”
“Don’t do it, sister,” yells a woman an aisle over. “You know you’ll regret it.”
“Yeah. You’re probably right. Thanks.”
The woman moves on and Evan gives me a look. “Do you know her?”
“No. But at times such as these, all us girls have to look out for one another. The sisterhood must live on.”
His brows go up. “Okay.”
“It’s like when we go to the bathroom to pee en masse. We all need to be talked out of cutting our own hair at one time or another. After a break up, during a pandemic…you get what I mean.”
“I figured you were always just talking smack about men when you went to the bathroom.”
“Oh yeah. I’m not going to lie, there’s a lot of that. But women are natural born multitaskers. We can reapply lip gloss, decimate a dickhead, and still make time for some hairstyle advice all while washing our hands.”
“Right.”
Next comes the vitamins because I’m low on C. Meanwhile Evan inspects a selection of multivitamins for women. “If you insist on eating processed crap instead of fresh fruit and vegetables, we should probably get you some of these. Just to be safe.”
“I eat vegetables.”
“Tater tots don’t really count, sweetheart.”
“Well that’s harsh.” I pout.
He reads the back of a bottle. “This one looks okay. You want to check it out?”
“No, I trust you. Chuck it in the basket.”
“Did you want to talk some more about your parents?” he asks. “If so, I’m happy to listen. Without losing my shit this time.”
“Thanks. But not really. I mean, they’re wrong. It’s pretty straightforward. They’re working on limited and biased information instead of listening to me, their only child. The person who actually knows you and has spent time with you.” My foot starts tapping. “You’d think my happiness would count for something with them, you know?”
“I’m sorry they upset you.”
I scowl. “Ugh. It happens. Families…”
“Still, I hate seeing you down. We’re going to do some definite hugging and comforting tomorrow.”
“Oh yeah? Naked or clothed?”
“Naked, of course.”
I laugh. Men. They’re such sweet, simple creatures, really. Evan amply displays this in the next aisle. “Yes! Here we go, baby. Time to get serious.” First he throws a couple tubes of lube into his basket, followed by carefully perusing the prophylactics. “Ribbed?”
“Sure. Knock yourself out.”
“Flavored?”
“Ew. Pass.”
“Glow in the dark?” He waggles his brows.
“Are you that likely to get lost?”
“Hell no.” He moves along. “Any feelings about warming ones?”
I shrug. “Haven’t tried them.”
“Let’s give those a whirl.”
“Do we really need that many?” I ask.
He just looks at me, gaze serious. Wounded almost. Like he’s questioning my priorities and general life choices.
I shake my head in wonder. “Okay. Fine. Keep going. But at this rate, you’re going to have to carry me everywhere.”
“I think that would be best. Keep you nice and handy for whenever we feel the need. And you can bet after the past few weeks, I definitely feel the need.”
“That sex starved, huh?”
“Nope,” he corrects. “I’m Sadie starved. There’s a difference. No other girl will do.”
“Aw.”
“Studded?”
I wrinkle my nose. “I dunno.”
“Another time. Edible?”
“I have cookies. Why would I even?” I cross my arms. “I think you’ve got enough. We should probably leave some for the rest of the city.”