Page 61 of Tattoo My Heart
“Awww, I’m so happy when you’re out and about. I always worry about you.”
I frown at my mother’s comment. She’s talking like I’m an old spinster or something, and I never do anything for fun.
“I won’t keep you long if you’re busy,” she continues, oblivious to my inner turmoil here. “But we are getting closer and closer to our party, and I want to make sure you still plan on bringing someone.”
“Oh, I…”
I stutter over my own words, unsure of how to answer. I never really had a boyfriend to bring with me. Then I found the guy onHolidates. Then, I canceled him. Then, I thought of bringing Nancy’s nephew. Then, I emailed theHolidatesguy again. And now… Now, I’m seeing Cal. I think.
“Uh, I have to confirm this, mom. It’s kind of complicated,” I try to explain.
“Evelyn.” Mom sounds disappointed now. “Don’t tell me you don’t have anyone. I was so excited, I told everyone.”
“Who’s everyone?”
There’s a long pause where she’s not sure how to respond.
“All my friends, of course,” she finally says. “And Cal…”
“You told Cal I’m bringing a boyfriend?” I screech into the phone. Carrie elbows me into the ribs, reminding me that people can hear.
“Was it a secret?” Mom now whispers into the phone, sounding ridiculous. “I just talked to Cal,” she continues. “He told me his date for the party was still on. I told him you were next on my list to call. I didn’t know I wasn’t supposed to tell him about your boyfriend.”
“Stop sayingboyfriend,” I snap at her. “And Cal said he’s bringing someone to the party?”
“Yes, a lovely girl from what I gathered,” Mom informs me.
My eyes fill with tears when I turn to look at Carrie. Her head is leaned close enough where she can hear what my mother is saying. The look of pity on her face is almost my undoing.
“Mom, let me call you back once I’m home, okay? It’s loud in here,” I lie. I don’t wait for her to say anything else. Instead, I press the button to end the call and put the phone back on the table way calmer than I’d have expected.
“Evie.” Carrie hugs me again and rubs her hand up and down my back. “This doesn’t mean anything.”
My voice comes out shaky when I speak.
“It’s got to mean something if he still plans on bringing some girl to this thing while he comes to my bed every night.”
“Every night?” Carrie sounds impressed.
“For fifteen days straight,” I clarify, so there’s no confusion.
“Maybe he just said it to get your mom off his back,” Carrie shrugs. “It is possible.”
I get quiet as I mull things over. She’s right, that’s a definite possibility.
“I can’t bank on that though,” I decide. “I need to have my backup. Just in case.”
Her eyes get bigger when she looks at me like I’m off my rocker.
“What’s your backup?”
“Not what.” I pick up my phone and unlock the screen. “But who.”
I open theHolidatesapp and go back to Khail’s profile.
“You’re gonna message him again?”
“He’s given me no choice, Carrie.” My voice sounds very business like now. “Who doesn’t respond to messages? He’s the one who messaged me to begin with,” I remind her, sounding offended. “And now he thinks he can just disappear like that?”
