Page 10 of In the Long Run
‘It’s tonight.’
‘What?!But my birthday isn’t for another two weeks,’ I screech.
‘She didn’t tell me about it until just now.Probably knew I’d blab to you.’
Great.At least we’re predictable, I guess.
‘Do you know who she’s invited?’I grab the first packet of tampons I see and toss them into my overflowing basket.They ricochet off the side of my juice and fall to the floor, sliding several metres away and landing at the feet of …Sweet mercy, kill me now.
Knox kneels, his black running shorts riding high and the muscles in his thighs doing things that make me bite my lip.Stupid hormones.
It’s official.The universe and I are going to have a falling out.I’ve got an ex who won’t leave me alone, an unwanted surprise party tonight and now, when I’m feeling all hormonal and gross, I have to see the hot guy who got all up in my grill in the most delicious way and then rejected me?This is very uncool.I swear under my breath.
‘What’s happening?’Meredith asks.
‘Nothing.I’ll call you back,’ I mutter, putting my basket on the ground so I can fish my phone out of the side pocket of my leggings and end the call.
It doesn’t make any sense but Knox looks even better underthe fluorescent lights.His hair’s all tousled, he’s got that post-exercise glow happening and his long-sleeve shirt hugs his chest like it wants to be his very best friend forever.
‘Hey,’ Knox says.The pack of tampons are so small in his hand.I’ll give him his dues, though.He doesn’t blush or act like the fact that women menstruate is something men shouldn’t know about.He’s just as matter of fact and calm as he was the other night, which is also annoying.
‘Thanks,’ I mumble, wrapping my hand around the box.The corners dig into my palm.
‘You okay?How are things with Brand?’
‘I’m fine, Knox.It’s not your problem,’ I snap, directing my frustration with Mum and this party at him and regretting it immediately when the corners of his mouth tip down.‘I’m sorry.That was rude.’
‘I do the same thing every time,’ Knox says.
What is he talking about?I drag my eyes away from the linoleum floor until our gazes meet.
‘Always think a basket will be enough and live to regret my decision.’He nods at my basket.
My attention shifts to his.You can tell a lot about a person based on what’s in their shopping basket.Knox is big into fresh vegetables and meat.There’s a lot of food in there.Who’s he making dinner for?And why do I care?Is it really because my uterus is rioting?Or because I’d needed a little something to get myself there last night and, without planning to, I’d imagined his quiet commands, his firm hands?
My phone rings and I pull it out of my pocket.It’s Mum.‘I better get this,’ I say, waving my phone around like I need to prove someone’s calling me.
‘Sure,’ Knox says and turns back to his shopping before pausing and twisting back around.‘Good to see you, Gen.’
You know what else is annoying?How I can’t help but like the way he says my name.
‘Hi, Mum,’ I say.
‘Sweetie, hi.I wanted to remind you about dinner at the Clamshell tonight.You’re still free?’
‘I’m not feeling great,’ I say, like the big chicken I am.I’ve never been any good at standing up for myself where Mum’s concerned, but that’s only because once Eva Halliday’s made her mind up about something, there’s no stopping her.Even if Mum suspects I know about the party, she’s not going to let me off the hook.
‘I’m sure you’ll be fine.We’ll see you there at seven.Try to wear something that isn’t marketed as “athleisure”, please.’
I sigh.This party bus is leaving the station, and I’d better get on board.
Torn jeans and my ‘nice’ white sneakers are the extent of my rebellion.I’d considered wearing a black bra under my loose-fitting cream blouse, but I didn’t want to give Mum an eye twitch.If I had a dollar for every time she’d told Meredith and I when we were growing up that underwear should always be worn but never seen, I’d probably have a nicer collection of bras and panties than the plain cotton sets I buy.Even before I entered my financially compromised era, I preferred comfort over prettiness.
The torches along the front deck of the Clamshell are lit, and twinkly fairy lights are twined around the thick rope that hangs between the wooden posts.I spend a moment psyching myself up, imagining I’m waiting at the start of a race, going over my game plan.But instead of focusing on my target pace or remembering where the elevation changes are or what my nutrition and hydration plan is, tonight’s all about staying calm.
Trepidation rises inside me like the tide over my shoulder but I force myself through the front doors and nod at the kitchen staff.If I didn’t already know about the party, I’d wonder where Caleb is.My flatmate’s worked at the Clamshell for years as a dessert chef.
Mum’s expression lights up when she sees me and, bless her misguided but well-intentioned heart, she’s practically vibrating with excitement.‘Hi, sweetie!’she says, pulling me in close for a rose-scented hug that smells like my childhood.Another of Eva Halliday’s rules for young ladies?A signature scent is one of your best accessories.After much cajoling in my late teens I settled on mint and orange blossom and have been too lazy to ever change it.
