Page 142 of Break the Ice
It’s still warm for fall with the sea breeze making it feel a tad cooler than it actually is. Which means I have to put up the parasol, so Christina’s fair skin doesn’t burn.
Once we’re settled and a few bites into our picnic, I ask her, “So… masters? Tell me all the things.”
Christina takes another long sip of the super sweet, almost juice-like, wine. She’s focused on the view of the ocean when she tells me, “It’s not what I thought it would be. The course itself is great, and the labs areincredible. UCLA wasn’t lying when they sold their linguistics program as a state-of-the-art department. I love that part of it…”
“What don’t you love?”
For a moment she looks like she’s about to unload the weight of the universe off her shoulders. Her big sea-foam eyes flit to mine with a grave severity to her usually haughty demeanor. I’m caught off-guard. Just as quickly, she goes back to staring out at the ocean with a flick of her strawberry blonde hair over shoulder.
With a shrug she tells me, “It’s…school.”
All the excitement she had about her when we got here has dulled.
“Tina—”
“Don’tTiname. Honestly, it’s a lot to keep up with, you know?”
Cautiously I ask, “Can you cut down on your work hours?”
“I have to pay for school fees and rent, and in LA everything is three-hundred percent more than everywhere else. Money does not go a long way here like it did in Portland. Besides, I need to have a stash of it ready for the next time my mom decides she needs to stumble onto the scene again.”
“She’s still drinking?”
“Among other things.”
“God, I’m so sorry, T…” I pause at the death glare she gives me.
“My dad is a presidential running mate now, he can’t be perceived to support my mom’s addiction.” she chuckles, forcing some levity into her tone even though it’s not mirrored in the murky glaze of her stare.
“Tina…”
“He’s gone to great lengths to tick all the boxes…” Counting on her fingers she goes on, “He remarried the perfect Hispanic woman, got himself the California governor’s seat… he even got me into UCLA for my masters…”
“No, you did that. You got the grades and you’re paying for it.”
“Anyway, I’m trying to work on things with him now that he’s having a kid with his wife.”
My heart breaks for her. Governor Halliday isn’t as liberal with his family as he is with his political allegiances. Then again, politics aren’t something I’m versed in.
“Moving on,” she announces, pouring herself what’s left of the wine while I take a small sip of mine. “Today is a good day. We only focus on the good shit in life... like two hotshot athletes falling over themselves for you.”
They’re not falling over themselves for—” The sudden trill of the doorbell gives me pause.
"Are we expecting visitors?” Christina asks, following me to the door.
When I open it, the doorman holds out a large bag with the Comets’ logo on it. “Miss Tomes, this just arrived for you.”
“Thank you,” I take it from him, watching as he disappears into the lift.
“Aww, look how fast that put a smile on your face,” Christina says as I open the bag and pull the note stapled to it.
Heard we’re going to have extra luck on our side tonight.
Wear the shirt and bring your friend.
Car will be waiting for you @5pm
J&E x
