Page 4 of Tequila & Lace
Mother was sitting on my bed, still dressed in her robe. “You need more makeup.”
“I do?”
She huffed and then stood. “Let me show you.” She grabbed my wrist and tugged me behind her toward the bathroom.
“Ow! You’re hurting me,” I whined.
“Oh shut up, Joselyn. Stop acting like a baby.”
I could feel my blood start to boil. She was such a bitch. It was my birthday. The one day that was supposed to beyourday; a day whenyougot whatever you wanted. Before Seth became anadult, I’d had him and Cat to watch movies with, make me lunch, cake—whatever. This year Cat was off on a family vacation in Hawaii. They’d wanted one last family trip before she graduated and left for college. I wanted a first one.
Again—whatever.
I leaned against the olive green pedestal sink while my mother painted my face. When I turned to face the mirror, I didn’t recognize myself. The freckles that lightly dusted my upper cheeks and nose were covered up completely with foundation. My eyelids were caked with pink eye shadow and black eyeliner circled each eye completely.
“Wow,” I whispered.
“You look beautiful, Joss.”
My gaze flicked to hers. I’d never heard her compliment me before. “Now will you tell me where we’re going?”
“We’re not going anywhere.Youare.”
“Huh?” Thoughts of Seth and Cat surprising me for my birthday flashed in my head, but I knew they were both out of town.
“Get your shoes on and let’s go.”
I didn’t want to argue with her—I knew the consequences. I went to my room, slipped on the heels, grabbed my black clutch purse that had nothing in it but my pictures and lip gloss, and stumbled my way to the living room where she was waiting for me.
“There’s a limo waiting for you outside,” she affirmed, puffing on another cigarette. She really needed to stop that nasty shit. I was tired of smelling like stale smoke all the time.
“There’s a limo waiting for me outside?” I motioned between my chest and the door.
“Yes. Now go.” She urged me to take a step and I caught myself before I fell flat on my face. I wasn’t used to wearing heels.
“Bye, B.” I waved to Bryce as he continued to watch101 Dalmatians. He didn’t look away or say goodbye as he recited every line.
As I stepped out of the trailer, excitement flowing through my veins. I had no idea what was going on, but finally my mother had remembered my birthday. This was going to be the best birthday ever! I turned to give her a hug. I wanted to show her how thankful I was that she’d finally remembered my birthday, but something flashed in her eyes. Instead, I stopped and only said, “Thank you.” I thanked her for the dress, the limo, but most of all, I thanked her for finally remembering it was my birthday.
“No,thank you.” She smirked.
“What?” The humid Florida air caused my long hair to cling to my neck and chin as I whipped around to see what she meant.
“Just go, Joselyn.”
When I turned toward the dirt road, there was a black limo with a man in a suit waiting outside the open door.Fancy. A smile spread across my face as I walked to the car. “Hi,” I greeted the mystery man as he gestured to the open door. I slid into the car, the cool, black leather kissing my bare legs. A moment later, the door closed and I looked straight ahead at an unfamiliar face.
“You look just like your mother did when she was your age,” he mused.
My heart stopped and my palms became clammy. “Um… okay?”
“We’ve met, you know.” His Latino accent laced his words.
“Um, okay?”
“You were just a baby.”
“Um, okay?” I had no other words. I was in a moving car with an unfamiliar man who apparently knew me—a man who my mother had sent me to.
