Page 16 of Beachy Sweetheart
Andy: So many raccoons. You’ll have to tell me the story behind that. What about the pink footie pjs or the yellow onesie?
I stuff them both in my rainbow backpack and put Bandit, my pink raccoon stuffie, right on top. Then add Georgie, my yellow duckie stuffie, Bandit’s bestie. I also throw in a change of clothes since I’m supposed to be staying with Maddie tonight after we all play.
I slide on a soft t-shirt, this one without the carnival logo, and jeans to travel in. I’m almost out the door when my phone rings. Knowing it can’t be mom, I answer.
“Hey, kiddo, are you okay?” Dad’s voice rings out from the speakerphone as I slide on my shoes.
“Yeah? Why do you ask?”
I can practically hear dad scratching his head. “Your mom called me saying you blocked her number.”
I tell him what happened, and he sighs. “Sorry to bother you, Trevor. I’ll see if I can talk some sense into her. She shouldn’t have called you in today.”
“It’s fine. Done and over with. I’m heading out.”
“Have fun, and don’t think about home until Monday. Drive safe, kiddo.”
“Thanks. See you Monday.”
We end the call, and I laugh. Probably so I don’t cry. I slide into the driver seat of my car, but before I turn it on I shoot a text to Andy.
Trevor: How will I know you?
Andy: I’ll have a purple teddy on my shoulder.
I cock a brow and snort a laugh. That’s a new one and I can’t wait to see.
Trevor: I look forward to meeting you and purple teddy in about an hour.
Andy: Drive safe.
My heart melts. My own father just said the same thing, but coming from Andy feels special somehow.
11
ANDY
“Yuri! Bel!”I call out to my friends as they arrive at Playful Pleasures.
“Andy!” Yuri says as the pair greet me. They both give me hugs and it’s like I never disappeared. “Are you excited to meet Trevor? I’m still baffled how the two of you have never met. You’ve both been coming here for years.”
I chuckle. “I guess the stars just never aligned.”
Bel is already dressed in his Little clothes, and he tugs on my hand.
“Yes, little one?”
“Trevor is super nice. You gotta be nice to him. His mommy makes him work to to to to totomuch.” Bel shakes his head and scrunches his nose. He hugs his stuffed bunny to his chest. His blond curls are every which way. I swear he has tears in his big brown eyes. “Don’t hurts him, okay?”
“Never in a million bagillion years.”
“Promise?”
I hold out my pinkie. “Pinkie promise I won’t hurt him.”
Bel loops his pinkie around mine. “Good.” We shake and he pulls his hand away to suck on his thumb.
Yuri holds out his hand for Bel. “Come on, baby, let’s see if Maddie is here. Mommy Penny might need a break already.”
