Page 29 of Knot All that Glitters: Part 1

He hums in his throat like he expected that. “You know your normal rules apply.” I nod. “You will receive messages from me or Brian at any time and you will be expected to respond with a photo with the date and time displayed somewhere, yes?”

I nod. This is standard for him. In the past it hasn’t mattered because I’ve always been where he expected me to be… Well, maybe not always, but I was always with Florence or her family if she was at rehearsal. This time it’ll take some maneuvering, but I’m going to make it work.

Excitement thrums through my veins and my fingers itch for my cell phone, as Frederick Bell tells me all the rules I already know, the rules already ingrained in my bones, in my very make-up. Rules I wish I could ignore but know I can’t.

The rules that I will find a way around in order to get what I want more than anything for my birthday: a week with the Calloway pack.

Later, when I’ve left Brian and my father to their after-dinner drinks and I’m safely tucked up in my room, I finally do what I’ve been dying to for hours, pull up the text chain to tell them the good news, only to stall out.

What if they don’t want me to spend the week with them? That’s fine. I can split the time between Ren and them. But I really want to spend all week with them, even if it takes a lot of mental gymnastics to get to the point where I will not spend the week with migraine thundering through my head.

Still, I can’t just invite myself over to their house, even if that’s what I want to do.

Me:

My father just informed me he’ll be out of town for a week starting Sunday.

Hale:

Is that so?

Any plans for while he’s gone?

Me:

I usually spend the week with Ren.

Jude:

Usually you do, but is that what you want to do this time?

I stare at the text, willing them to just invite me.

Me:

I would like to spend some time with her.

But I’d also like to spend some time with you.

If you’re up for it.

I hit send then squeal, because I can’t believe I just sent that. I can’t. And I want to take it back, but it’s as close as I can get to inviting myself over, of requesting they spend time with me without just outright begging. Which I’m seconds from doing.

Jude:

Oh, we’re up for it.

You should see how up for it I am.

Hale:

Jesus, Jude. Stop.

Jude:

I will not.

Our little bellybutton needs to know how much we want her.

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