Page 123 of The Disasters of Dating
I nod, even though he can’t see me. “Great. I’ll see you in a bit.”
“I’m looking forward to it.” He hangs up without saying goodbye. Which is fine by me. I’m all out of pleasantries. Although, I better change my tone fast because I need to call and break the news to Poppy.
Poppy
I take the brisket out of the oven and cover it with foil to let it rest. It was in the oven for most of yesterday and half the day today. I’ll changemy clothes, and then it should be ready to slice up and add to the BBQ sauce.
I take a breath. Am I ready for this? Apparently my mom invited my Grandma Sue and Grandpa Tim. And all of her sisters. Her brother is out of state and wasn’t about to make the trip in ‘to meet a boyfriend that may be out of the picture next week.’ It’s not hard to figure out where my cousin, Kaden, gets his entitled behavior. My Uncle Harold, who acts more like he’s an Ashcombe than a Hayes, said if there’s a marriage, he’d try to make it. How kind of him.
I walk down the hall toward my room as the doorbell rings.
“That should be Adam. I’ll get it,” my mom hurries from her room and toward the front door.
I hurry in the opposite direction, to my room. I can’t witness their greeting. I’m mentally scarred enough as it is.
I sit down on my bed and close my eyes. I can do this. Keaton will be with me. That will take a lot of the pressure off because if people are talking to me, it will be about Keaton, not about my feelings about Adam or my mom dating again.
My phone rings, playing “Sharp Dressed Man,” by ZZ Top. I smile, knowing by the ring tone that it’s Keaton.
“Hey, you almost here? Adam just got here and I don’t think I can be alone with them. Brody and Sadie are running late. Shocker!”
Keaton doesn’t say anything immediately.
“Hello? Can you hear me?” I say, wondering if we have a bad connection.
But then I hear a sigh. “Yeah, I can hear you.”
My chest tightens at the tone of his voice. “What’s wrong? You sound weird.”
“I’m really sorry, Poppy. I was walking out the door to come, but then I got a call and I have to go to an emergency meeting. I won’t make it on time. But I’m going to try and make it before it’s over.”
“What do you mean you have an emergency meeting? What kind of meeting?”
“I can’t say much about it. But it’s not something I can blow off. There’s a lot riding on the outcome.”
“So it’s for work?” I ask.
“Yeah, it’s for work.”
“Who has work meetings on a Saturday night?” I demand a little too forcefully. But this sounds like a complete lie. I mean, if he didn’t want to come, why did he extend his trip? And if he just decided he didn’t want to come, why didn’t he make up a better excuse? Car trouble?Or food poisoning—an oldie but a goodie. I mean, I don’t want to be here either, so I get that part. But he said he’d be here. I was counting on him.
“I’m really sorry, Poppy. If I could get out of this meeting, I would. But I can’t.”
I scoff. “Your brother owns the company. It’s not like he’ll fire you.” I sound a little crazed. But I can’t help it.
“Uh, yeah, He will fire me. He already made that clear in no uncertain terms.”
The doorbell chimes again. I shake my head. “Okay, whatever. I need to finish getting ready. I guess I’ll see you…sometime.”
“Poppy—”
“Bye.” I hang up, still hearing him calling my name. I don’t have time for this crap. I walk over to my desk and open my jewelry box, pulling out my chunkiest amethyst necklace. It has small moonstones on each side of the purple stone. I need the additional intuitive calm and nighttime peace.
I slip it over my head, rubbing the stones through my fingers. I can do this. Keaton wasn’t in my life until last month, and I got through plenty of life’s curveballs. Heck, I got through my dad’s death without him. I wipe at the tears in my eyes. If I could do that, I can do this now. I clear my eyes, pushing all the moisture away.
I put on my flowiest skirt and shirt. Thankfully, they match with the amethyst necklace. “Hah, it’s like I’ve been through these emotions before,” I say to my reflection in the mirror. I take my hair out of the single French braid and let most of the waves flow down my back. But then I separate several sections out and braid them into little braids. Then clip them at the crown of my head. I tip my head to the side. Keaton said this was his favorite way for me to wear my hair.
I frown. When did he become so intertwined with my life? I can’t even rub on my Chakra Crown oil without thinking about him. Well, crap.
