Page 26 of Tutoring the Bad Boy
Like the funny business that I found myself in. The kind that my mom is secretly plotting with Kaleb to put me in.
“Dixie’s brothers are really protective. Maybe that’s their job.”
Mom lifts her brow. “The Jones brothers are no better than Kaleb.”
More male-bashing. I’m sympathetic because I know where it’s coming from. Mom is under a lot of stress to make a success out of me and protect my purity. That’s what moms do.
My phone dings in my little side bag that’s slung over my shoulder, and I feel my heart pound in my chest. I totally know who it’s going to be.
Kaleb: I’m sorry.
I type away feverishly.
Me: There’s nothing to be sorry about.
Kaleb: I didn’t know I was going to do that, for the record.
Me: I didn’t put up a fight. LOL
In my attempt to be funny, I can picture Kaleb’s twisted smile in response.
Kaleb: I gotta say something, Ginny.
Me: Sure.
Kaleb: I love kissing you.
My heart is now beating so fast that I’m sure my mom can hear it. I bring my hand to my chest to try to slow it down. Reading his words while in a tense car ride with my mom is too much. I make a hasty response and throw my phone back in my bag.
Me: Ditto.
“Who was that?” Mom asks. Apparently, I’m not the only one with a sixth sense.
“It was Dixie asking if I’m okay.” Jeez, if Mom can lie, so can I.
“Of course you’re okay. You’re a sensible girl.” Mom says it as much to herself as she does to me. Does she really think I’m so volatile? Does Mom truly believe I’m one of those girls who could get derailed by a flirty, hot bad boy?
Crud. Maybe she’s not far off. That is, if it weren’t all for show. Who knows how I’d feel if I thought for even a second that any of it was real. Maybe I could lose my head and throw everything out the window.
We pull up to the house and into the garage. The air outside is warm and intoxicating. My mind returns to the fantasy about walking on the beach with Kaleb.
Going inside, I want nothing more than to go up to my room and stay there the rest of the night.
“We’re having tofu kale fajitas.” Mom drops her purse on the kitchen counter and opens the fridge. Not my favorite, but I find I have a really strong appetite because I never made it to the burgers and hotdogs at the party.
“Delectable.”
“One day you’re going to thank me for instilling proper nutrition in you. Your body is getting the fuel it needs to excel at volleyball and get you into the best school.”
Man, all I want is a slice of pizza. Can’t a girl shoot for the junk-food stars?
“By ‘best school’ you mean Gilroy.”
Mom takes out the marinated tofu and kale and places the dish on the counter. She closes the refrigerator door and turns to me. “Gilroy is the best. You’ll thrive in a small school, which brings me to the next topic… ” Like how you’ll never leave me alone for the rest of my adult life? “I had a very nice conversation with Coach Williams over the phone after you were so rude two weeks ago.”
I have to interject here. “I was not rude! There were a lot of people coming up to talk to me.”
“Well, Coach Williams was very forgiving and asked to have dinner. I’ve invited her into our home on Monday night.”
