Page 100 of The Disasters of Dating
I can’t get away today. Why?
Shadie
Me either. I have a deadline to meet and I’m behind because I’ve been spending all my time with Max.
I let out a gagging sound.
I don’t think I should have to have the ‘talk’ with her by myself. Because you know there’s going to be one. I think it should involve all of us.
Shadie
Ugh. Do we have to have the talk? It’s going to be awwkkkkkward.
Brody
For realz…
Yeah, and I’m not going through it alone. Buckle up, Buttercups! You’re coming along for the ride! Schedule it in for tomorrow then. I’ll let you know the when and where after I talk to mom…
There’s a knock at the front door, and I’m half surprised to see Keaton standing there. I’d been waiting all day for a text from him, canceling our date to the planetarium. I mean, if it were me, I’d jump off this crazy train as fast as I could.
I smile at him. “Hey, I’m glad to see you weren’t scared off after last night.”
He tips his head to the side and shoves his hands in his pockets. “Why would extraordinarily large ice cream sundaes scare me off?” He grins.
I lightly slug him on the arm. “Yeah, I was talking about the ice cream.”
I reach over and grab my purse that I’d made from an old quilt my Grandma Sue had made and sling it over my head and across my chest. “I’m ready to go if you are.”
“Poppy?”
My mom calls my name from the kitchen. I’ve done my best to avoid her all day. I don’t plan to be snared when I’m at the five-yard line. “I’m heading out, Mom. Don’t wait up. I’ll see you in the morning.” I wave Keaton off the porch and slam the door behind me. Scampering—yes, I said scampering—toward Keaton’s car, not even waiting for him to open the door. I hop inside and lock it behind me while I wait for him to settle into the driver’s side. It may be an axe murderer rather than my mom that I think I’m hiding from.
He gives me a raised brow. “Things not going well with your mom, I take it?”
I lift a shoulder. “They’re fine. I mean, we haven’t talked since last night. I’ve made sure to keep a low profile.”
He starts the car and looks in his side mirror before pulling out into the street. “I know it’s none of my business, but don’t you think you’re going to have to talk to her sometime?” He only glances over at me before keeping his attention on the road. Not that my sleepy neighborhood has enough traffic to warrant the degree of attention he is payingit. I mean, I’m not opposed to focused driving, but Keaton might be taking it to the extreme.
“Yes, I know we will have to talk. But I don’t think I should have to talk to her alone. I think my siblings should be involved. I mean, it involves them, too. But they couldn’t get away for lunch today. So the talk can’t happen until tomorrow. I plan to make myself unavailable until then.”
He looks over and grins at me. “That seems like a sound plan.”
“Whether it is or not, it’s the plan I’m using.”
He looks at me from the corner of his eye. “And how are you feeling about it? Now that you’ve slept on it and it’s settled a little more?”
“I’m fine.” I shrug. “Apart from having nightmares about seeing my mom making out with some guy.” I full body shudder. “I can’t ever unsee that.”
Keaton chuckles. “Yeah, I can see that might be horrible.” He cringes. “I can’t imagine walking in on my dad with a lady…” He trails off, apparently imagining his own personal hell. Been there, done that, unfortunately.
Finally, he looks over at me. “So, other than the nightmares, you’re good?”
I nod. “Mostly. I’m hurt that she didn’t trust us enough to open up, you know? I mean, we’re all adults. And it’s not like any of us expected her to remain single forever. It’s been twelve years. It was very considerate of her to wait until we’re basically out of the house.”
He nods. “Yeah, that is very considerate.” He releases a breath. “I’m glad to hear you’re okay with it. Not everyone would be. But then, I shouldn’t have been surprised. You are one of the most emotionally healthy people I’ve ever met.” He gives me another side eye. “Is it the horoscopes and crystals, do you think?”
My brow creases. Am I emotionally healthy? Several weeks ago I would have agreed with him. But now? Would an emotionally healthy person have such a difficult time deciding if they should pursue a relationship with someone? As much as I hate to say it, my horoscope and crystals don’t seem to be helping me figure out what to do about Keaton, for love or money.
