“I know!” Austin slaps his hands together. Underneath his tough exterior, this quarterback is also a fan of a Hallmark film or three. “It’s time for…” He does a drumroll on his thighs. “The grand gesture!”
My mother cocks her head and looks at him as if he’s just suggested we take her to a strip club. “A grand gesture? Like what, buy her a house?”
“I mean, if he had the money…” Austin begins.
Laughing, I cut him off. “Like in a rom-com, Mom. I need to show up and do the big thing to show her how I feel.”
“Howdoyou feel?” She looks at me pointedly. “Expand on that.”
Talk about being open with your family. “I’m in love with her.”
The pair fall silent as my words sink in. I’m even stewing on the fact I’ve said it out loud as my mother starts grinning.
“Well, now that you have FINALLY admitted what we can all see, you really do need to sweep her off her feet.” She hops up out of her seat and heads back into the house. “Come on, I’m going to make us something to snack on while we come up with some ideas on how you can woo that sweet girl. I like her and want to keep her around, so let’s make it good, hear me?”
“Just no more ice cream,” Austin pleads as he follows her inside.
I’m two steps behind them when my cell phone rings.Glancing at the screen, I see Buzz’s name, then hit the button to connect and press it to my ear as fast as I can.
“It’s not good news,” he says once our niceties are done. “I’ve had a call from the judge. Turns out she’s in Lorna’s book club and got an earful earlier today about your situation with your soon-to-be wife.” He says the last part with what I can only imagine is a little grimace on his face. I start to remind him that he hinted at this very idea, but instead I decide not to. In the end it was my choice.
“What’s happening?” I ask, my stomach starting to knot.
“She managed to get an order to move the date up to next week, Monday morning. I’m sorry for the short notice, Levi, but you’ll be going to court after the weekend to see who gets custody of Duncan once and for all.”
EIGHTEEN
Georgie
Ever wake up in the life you have and wonder how it got to be such a mess? Yeah, that’s how my Saturday is going, too.
I spent all of last night eating my emotions. I couldn’t decide if I wanted to power eat cucumber, straight from the Porter’s garden, and peanut butter sandwiches (do not knock ‘em til you’ve had them) or eat Mary’s lavender ice cream until my stomach burst. I tried to watch something on TV, but gave up and laid on my couch listening to a true crime podcast instead.
There were moments where I forgot that I had spilled the beans to Lorna, setting off a possible avalanche for Duncan and the Porters, and when I was reminded, I would grab my phone, wanting to get lost in social media. Only I couldn’t.
Each time I’d open an app, there was that photo of Levi with me. Us. Together. Lips on lips, kisses for days. I mean, not to toot my own horn, but itisa great picture. The issue being that I’ve been tagged again and again in the image, so every time those pictures are shared, I’m notified. It’s crazy-making. Intense.Maddening. It’s made me never want to go on social media again. Don’t even get me started on the comments. The comments section is a whole other sad story that I still can’t and don’t want to get into. It has sliced me deep.
When I arrived at work this morning, there was another box that had been delivered. I’d opened it hoping it was an order of books, but no. It was a present sent from one of the brands Levi works with.
“Oh my god, this is out of control,” I scream-sigh as I kick open the back door of the shop and toss the box inside. It’s a chenille throw blanket in a rose color. Not bad really. I can use it to hide under when I walk down the street. It’ll have a scarlet letter on it, a C for champagne, since that’s what Lorna smelled on my breath. At least it was Veuve Clicquot.
More sighing. I rarely drink, and the one time I do, I have a smackdown with the one person I shouldn’t be talking to. It can’t get past me, the irony being that I was coming out of a bridal fitting for my fake wedding…oh, it’s all quite the full-circle moment, isn’t it?
I messed up, but hey, I can say that when I do mess up, I mess up good. I’m still telling myself off as I walk past a mirror in the back room, catching a glimpse of myself in it. My eyes are puffy from crying last night and I want to hug that sad girl I see in the reflection, but also I want to remind her that she’s a terrible fake fiancée. I’m sure if I had a ring, now would be the time for Levi to demand it back.
I trot to the front of the store, turn the sign from closed to open and unlock the door, then flip on all of the lights to show that we’re ready for business. I don’t make it back to the counter before the bell dings behind me, signaling a customer has entered the premises.
I turn around only to find someone who resembles Levi standing in front of me.
“Oh.” Igasp, pointing to his eyes and the swelling around his face. “What happened?”
“The cat,” he says, pointing to my eyes. “What’s your excuse?”
“My stupidity?” I say, shrugging and making him laugh. Just a little.
He looks around the store, his gaze landing back on me. “Can we talk, like outside for a minute?”
“Sure.” I reach across the counter and grab my keys. It’s a Saturday, so weekend shoppers come in closer to eleven, at least in my experience. I can afford to close the store for a little bit. Seeing as it’s for Levi, I really don’t mind. “You wanna lead?”
