Page 35 of Sneaking Around with the Player
She hesitates.
“Oh crap. I’m sorry. You want to stay for Teddy.”
“No. I mean, yes, but it’s okay.”
“Holl—”
“If you want to go home, then let’s go home. Whatever you need.” She squeezes my hand.
Neither Holly nor I say much on the way to Scottsdale. We pull into the driveway of our childhood home just after two in the morning.
“Thank you,” I tell her. I know she gave up time with Teddy to come with me and it means more than she could know.
“Of course. Come on. Everything will seem better in the morning.”
I hope she’s right.
Once I’m in my old bedroom, I change into sleep shorts and a baggy T-shirt and climb under the covers.
I plug in my phone. It’s dying from the number of times I’ve checked for texts from Beau in the past three hours. Hestill hasn’t sent anything. I try to FaceTime him, but there’s no answer.
Me: I’m so sorry.
The dots appear a minute later.
Beau: You have nothing to apologize for. I shouldn’t have shown up like that. I hope you and Felix worked things out.
Me: Holly and I left. I’m in Scottsdale at my parents’ house.
His reply starts and stops.
Me: Did you make it back okay?
Beau: Yeah. I made it back.
Me: Plans tomorrow?
Beau: We’re going to my uncle’s house in the afternoon. Probably be late before I’m home.
Me: Okay, what about the next day?
Beau: That’s Christmas.
Me: Yeah. We’ll be all celebrated out by dinnertime. I could come see you.
Beau: Maybe. Might have to play it by ear.
Me: Please don’t let the things Felix said get in your head. We can figure this out.
Beau: Get some rest, baby. Talk tomorrow.
Me: Night, Beau.
Beau
Christmas evening everyone comes to my parents’ house for dinner. Mom has a ham in the oven and she and all the aunts are milling around the kitchen, cooking and shooing out anyone that comes in to ask when it will be ready. We had a chill morning opening presents and then went to brunch at my mom’s parents’ house. Tonight, it’s Dad’s family that is crammed into our living room.
I’m sitting right in the center of my uncles and cousins. It’s chaos, not that I’ve really noticed, though. I’m in another world completely.
