Page 73 of Tell Me Again
“I’ve been gluten free for a month,” one of the women said.
“Then you’re going to think you died and went to heaven,” Jenny told her, and the group moved over to the food table.
The girls had already filled their plates and were over on the side of the rec room that held Ping-Pong, air hockey, and foosball tables. Right now, Trevor faced Grace and one of her friends across the Ping-Pong table. He glanced over and gave Sam a thumbs-up, missing a serve, which made Grace and her friend cheer and do some elaborate fist-bumping.
“You did it,” Jenny said. “You’re on your way to winning over the teenage mom brigade. The Bunco invitation seals the deal.”
“Thank you,” Sam whispered. “I’m not sure why being the object of ridicule makes me more likable, but it worked.”
“It makes you human,” Jenny explained. “Less threatening.”
“I’m not a threat,” Sam protested.
“They know that now. Or at least they suspect it.” She turned to face Sam. “We’re clear that you don’t flirt with any husbands, right?”
Sam snorted. “I gave up flirting along with drinking binges and casual sex.”
“So you and Trevor are more than casual?”
“We’re—” Sam paused, poked the redhead in the arm. “Nice try, Nancy Drew. I’m not admitting anything to you.”
“Not what I heard,” Jenny said in a singsongy voice, then jumped away when Sam would have poked her again. “My work here is done, so I’m heading back to the city. I need to pick up Cooper from science club at five.”
“What do I do now?” Sam asked, grabbing hold of Jenny’s arm as she tried to move away.
“Go talk to them.”
She felt panic rise up her spine, radiating out to seep into every pore. This was the moment she wanted to go and hide. She needed to hide. Introductions aside, what did she have in common with these women? “About what?”
Jenny looked at her like she was crazy. She felt a little crazy. “Mom stuff,” Jenny said as if it was obvious.
“But I’m not a mom,” Sam hissed. “I’m barely an aunt.”
“You can do this.” Jenny gave her a little shove toward the food table. “Just be yourself.” She chuckled. “Actually, be Chloe. What would Chloe do in this situation?”
“Make them all love her,” Sam answered immediately.
“There’s your answer.” Jenny pushed her again then turned and hurried out of the room before Sam could stop her.
“Make them love me,” Sam muttered, swallowing back another wave of panic. That had never been a strong suit of hers, making friends. Until Kendall and Chloe, she hadn’t had any real women friends other than Bryce. And a twin sister didn’t count.
Tucking her hair behind her ears, she walked over to the table and straightened a pile of napkins. “I hope the food’s ok.” She immediately regretted it. Did it sound like she was fishing for a compliment? Did she sound needy and desperate? She felt needy and desperate.
“It’s all wonderful,” the woman with the glasses said. What was her name? Susan.
“Thank you.” Damn. Total fishing expedition.
“Can I ask you all a question?” Sam bit down on her lip as she tried to formulate coherent words in her mind.
“Sure,” Jill answered for the group, somewhat hesitantly.
“What’s the secret to raising a teenage girl?” As the women glanced at each other as if trying to figure out who would speak first, Sam blurted, “I’m asking because you all seem like you know what you’re doing. From what Grace and Trevor say, you have awesome daughters.” Reverse fishing for compliments. That was good, right?
She should shut her mouth now. But, no. She kept going. “I was kind of a train wreck when I was younger. You probably all know that because most of the stupid things I did were tabloid fodder for several years.”
She tried to laugh softly, but it sounded like an injured hyena. Not an improvement. “My sister was an even bigger mess before she died. I want to be a part of my niece’s life, but I’m not sure I know how. I work with teens all the time, but it’s different with Grace. She’s part of me.”
She pressed her lips together but she couldn’t seem to stop the words from tumbling out. “Of course you know because you’re all mothers. Real moms and I know I’m not. But I’m trying and... I hope you’ll share the secret.” She smiled and swallowed against another wave of panic, because the women were staring at her. Like she was a total idiot. She felt like a total idiot.
