Page 113 of Secret Puck
I try not to react to the word, but my muscles tighten, waiting for the thing that comes next… which used to be disappointment. It doesn’t come, but it’s too many years of hurt built up. I don’t know if there’ll ever be a day it doesn’t fill me with a sense of dread coming from her lips. Or a day I’ll be able to say it to her or Ginny or anyone else. “Thanks, Mom.”
Sunday I’m practically gluedto my phone waiting to hear from Ginny. I texted her as soon as I woke up, but by mid-afternoon, I’m starting to worry she’s blowing me off.
“Give me your phone,” Maverick prompts and holds out his hand.
“No way.”
“Payne, give me the fucking phone before you do something stupid.”
“Why can’t I text her again?”
“Because it’s pathetic,” Rauthruss says.
“That’s really something coming from you. You’re on your phone constantly with Carrie.”
“Yeah, but she wants to talk to me.”
Ouch, but okay, point made. I place my phone in Mav’s palm and not two seconds later, her name flashes on the screen. I swipe it back with a giant smile on my face.
“And?” Mav asks.
“She’s been at the theater all day. Apparently they asked her to do the makeup for Reagan and a few other girls at the show today.”
“Oh, right.” Adam’s in the kitchen making food. “Yeah, I think I heard them talking about that last night. Reagan looked as hot as she always does, but I guess it was too subtle for the stage or the lights or, fuck, I don’t know.”
“You’re just telling me this now?”
“I didn’t think of it until now.”
I take my phone into my bedroom and dial Ginny.
“Hey,” she answers, sounding out of breath. “I’m just now heading back to my dorm. Sorry about that. I didn’t realize that I’d need to stay through the whole performance.”
“Stage makeup, huh?”
“Yeah, they even offered me a job for future performances.”
“That’s great, Ginny. Congratulations.”
“Thank you. So, today was kind of a bust. I need to shower and then head to the library. I have a group meeting for one of my classes. I’m not sure when it’ll be done. Can we talk tomorrow?”
Tomorrow. Shit, that sounds so far away. “Breakfast?”
“Yeah, I’ll meet you at our usual time.”
“So,”Mav starts as we’re walking into the dining hall. “Which one did you decide to go with?”
“What are you talking about?” I scan the room for Ginny.
“Which big gesture is next? Rent out a theater? Dinner?”
“I decided to go with something that’s more… me.”
“You?”
I slap Mav on the back. “Yeah, but it’s not because I didn’t enjoy your suggestions. You save those for when you find the perfect girl and screw it up.”
“Good luck, buddy.” He gets in line for food.
