by A. J. Macey
“If you two are good to go, you can head out. I’m going to be staying late to catalog everything, so I can handle any last-minute customers,” Rick shared, his red hair poking out the door to the back. I perked up, untying my apron at the same time as Lyla.
“What’re your plans for the evening?” Lyla asked, hanging her apron up in her locker and grabbing her bag.
“I was going to hit the mall. Want to join?” I asked, my words loud to my own ears as I was digging out my winter boots from the metal locker.
“Sure, let’s go,” she whooped excitedly. I rolled my eyes and laughed, happy at her enthusiasm.
I wonder if she snorts the ground coffee; otherwise, I have no idea how she is always so peppy.
“So,” Lyla started as she glanced around, “what are we getting, Emma bean?”
“Well, I need to get Reid’s birthday present for tomorrow, then the Christmas gifts for the guys and my mom.”
“Alright, cool, we have approximately,”—she paused to look at her phone—“an hour and a half until the mall closes. Where do you want to hit first?”
“Let’s hit that store over there. I want to get a collection of goofy and silly things for Reid’s birthday. What he really wants to do is go to the planetarium, so I also got tickets for that, just need a good day to do it.”
“Aww, that’s adorable,” Lyla cooed, hooking her arm through mine and walking me to the store. “How about some fun socks?”
“That’d be good, and this wallet is pretty awesome too.” I held it up to show her. Lyla nodded her agreement, holding up different pairs of socks and letting me pick which ones I liked or thought would fit Reid the best.
“Seven pairs of funny socks and a wallet,” Lyla counted. “That it for his birthday present, other than the tickets?”
“Yup,” I stated, popping the ‘p’ at the end. “Now for Christmas gifts, or to at least look for a few of them. I might end up ordering them and having it shipped.”
We wandered through the stores but ended up not picking anything up for the boys. It was nearing closing time when we finally decided to call it quits, figuring it’d be easier to order something online.
“Your phone has been blowing up all evening,” Lyla laughed. “Those boys sure do talk a lot.”
I chuckled, pulling out my phone to check it and groaned.
“What?”
“It wasn’t just the boys,” I grumbled, showing her my phone. “My ex is being annoying as heck. I haven’t responded in a long time, but he’s just so incessant.”
She scrolled through the messages, her eyes widening as she shook her head.
“Block him if he continues, at least that’s what I’d do,” she offered, handing my phone back. “You don’t have time for stage five clinger bullshit. Do your boys know?”
“Ugh, yes. They just wanted to text him themselves, but knowing how protective they can be and how much a dumb jerk Tyler is, I knew it wouldn’t do anything other than cause a bunch of drama. They’re all on edge, we all are, because of everything going on with Brad and the trial. Blocking, though, definitely a good idea. You have no idea how much I don’t have time for it.” I sighed, quickly making the decision to tell her everything going on in my life.
Other than the boys and Kaleb, I hadn’t had a chance to talk to anyone who would see it from the outside with a fresh perspective on what I should do. And honestly, sometimes there’s just no replacement for girl talk, no matter how wonderful the guys are. With that in mind, everything just tumbled out, Lyla’s expression shifting from her usually smiling self to scowling in anger as I told her about Brad.
“You know what you need? A defense class,” she told me. “They have ones specifically for women. I’ll go with you because one can never be too prepared.”
“Eh…” I hummed skeptically as I looked over at her. “I’m not too sure I could actually hit anyone.”
“You kicked and pushed Brad, didn’t you?” Lyla countered, nudging my shoulder. “I’m not saying you have to go, or you’d ever have to use it, but it’s an option.”
Thinking a bit longer, I realized she was right. I don’t ever want to feel weak or powerless like I did the night of the party.
“Have I told you lately you’re the best?” I gushed, wrapping my arm over her shoulders in a side hug. “I would love that, but you’re not allowed to tell anyone how much I suck at it.”
“Deal, but only as long as you don’t tell Rick how terrible I am,” Lyla countered, hugging me back as we neared our cars in the emptying lot.
“You got it. Say, what are you doing on Saturday? Working?” I asked over the hood of my car before she got into her truck.
“Nope, I work Sunday this week, why?”
“It’s winter formal, and I was wondering if maybe you wanted to come over and help me get ready with Zoey and Aubrey.” Lyla beamed, her smile only half visible as she nodded enthusiastically, her red hair flopping into her face. “Awesome, I’ll let you know when we’re getting together. Bye, Ly!”
“Ha, that rhymed,” she countered with a laugh, getting into her own car. “Bye, Emma bean!”
Now I just need to dig out a formal dress... or buy one…
Oops.
Guess I’m going back to the mall sometime this week.
9
December 11th
Tried to get dress inspiration, and I fell down the rabbit hole of fashion trends. I can never unlearn that corsets used to be made from whale bones!
#SorryShamu #WhaleThatsAwkward #WeirdnessWednesday
“Good morning, Cali girl,” Reid greeted, wrapping me in a tight hug before we headed into the building. Even though the truth of our odd relationship had been out for a while, we still got curious glances or hostile, judgmental sneers, but right now, I was too happy to care.
“Morning, babe,” I murmured, kissing his scruff-covered jaw. “Happy birthday.”
“Thanks, Cali girl.” He smiled down at me, his olive cheeks tinted with a blush. “You know what I want to do today?”
“What?” I asked, smiling over at Kingston and Jesse, who had just joined us on our walk to the table.
“Spend time with my friends,” Reid told me. I perked up with a sly smile, and as soon as Reid saw my grin, his eyes narrowed. “You have a plan, don’t you?”
“Maybe,”—I shrugged with a smirk—“guess you’ll have to wait and see, now won’t you?”
“You are such a troublemaker, I love it,” he whispered, nipping at my ear. The move was so unexpected, I couldn’t contain the gasp that escaped, my core tightening as he snickered softly at my response. “Can’t wait to see what other little sounds you make, Cali girl.”
“Yeah?” I said lamely, my brain quickly melting into a puddle of hormones and need with thoughts of what we’d do if we could sneak off right now. I definitely wouldn’t complain about getting more time to explore him when we’re not about to be interrupted.
“Damn straight.” He pulled back, standing upright. “But unfortunately, the bell’s about to ring.” My focus had been entirely on Reid, and at the reminder we were in the middle of a crowded cafeteria, my lust faded. In its wake were burning cheeks when I saw Kingston and Jesse watching with curious expressions. My body flared in a completely different way seeing the heat in my other boyfriends’ faces, and that’s when I knew.
Having fun in the future might get a bit interesting—in the best way.
“Almost done, Babydoll?” Kingston asked outside my bedroom door.
“Yup!” I called out, making sure I had Reid’s present, and my slush-covered shoes were wiped clean and set out to dry. It had started snowing again right before school got out, meaning two things. First, I got my ankle booties wet, and second, I panicked almost the entire drive home. Thankfully, Kingston was driving us to where we were spending Reid’s birthday.
“Can I know where we’re going yet?” Reid whined as I came out, his lip poking out in a cute pout. Shaking my head, I started up the s
tairs, the guys following me.
“Hey, Mom, we’re heading out for Reid’s birthday. I’ll be back in a few hours,” I called out. Reid pulled me into a hug, my back pressing into his hard chest as he continued to try to get where we were going out of me.
“Alright, let me know where you’re headed or if you go anywhere else,” Mom answered, her voice pulling me out of my laughter, her tone and raised brow at Reid’s and my close proximity, making me immediately clam up.
“I will.” She nodded, her eyes still glued on Reid’s arms curled around my shoulders.
“Don’t forget what I said the other day,” she reminded, her eyes going to Kingston before returning to me, “about how others may feel.”
“It’s alright, Mrs. Clark. I don’t mind,” Kingston countered with a smile, clearly picking up on the very blatant point she was attempting to make. My mom just hummed skeptically before giving a wave and heading back to her office. Feeling uncomfortable being called out in front of them, I cursed myself for not telling her right then about all of us, but as soon as an opportunity presented itself, I couldn’t.
“You okay, Em?” Jesse questioned, his honeyed voice pulling me from my quickly swirling thoughts. I mustered up a smile and nodded. “We’re not upset, you know that, right? About you not being able to tell your mom.”
“You sure?” I murmured, fiddling with the sleeve of my coat as I got into the front passenger seat of Kingston’s car. “I just freeze up. I’m not ashamed of us, but I don’t think she’d approve, and I don’t want to worry about what she would say.”
“Like we told you before, Cali girl,” Reid reassured, leaning against the back of the driver’s seat to look at me, “when you’re ready, tell her. We’re not going anywhere, just because one person doesn’t know about us.” His smile and soft tone helped ease my nerves, and Kingston and Jesse’s agreement finally settled the last of my worries.
“You guys are amazing,” I told them with a grateful smile. “Ready to know what we’re doing for your birthday?” I asked Reid, who immediately started to bounce in his seat. “I’ll give you a hint.” Holding my hand up, I made a finger gun, ‘pew-pewing’ as I pretended to shoot him.
“Oh! The bowling alley and arcade!” Reid exclaimed in excitement, dancing in his seat. Nodding, I felt the butterflies soar. Despite his movements constricted by his seatbelt, his silliness was endearing, and I couldn’t get enough. “Is it just us?”
“Nope, the others should be there already, getting a couple lanes,” Kingston explained as he pulled onto the winding road that led to the bowling alley at the top of the hill.
“Bowling!” Reid shouted as soon as the car was parked, his voice echoing around the lot as he hopped out. The rest of us followed, shaking our heads at his antics before heading inside.
“They’re over on lanes twelve and thirteen,” Jesse pointed out, spotting our friends first, Zoey and Carter waving their hands all over the place. “You two head over, King and I will get shoes,” he offered, kissing my cheek. When his fingers brushed over the curve of my butt, I felt my brows shoot up, thinking I may have imagined it, but at Jesse’s soft laugh, I knew I hadn’t.
Well, I guess I know what his favorite part is.
They’re going to be the death of me.
Death by teasing.
Nasty way to go, in my opinion.
“Happy birthday!” Aubrey shouted, popping up and giving Reid and me a quick hug before sitting back down on the bench. A round of ‘happy birthdays’ went up around the group, each time making Reid’s cheeks blush a bit redder.
So cute.
“Who wants to go first?” Brayden asked, his finger poised over the touch screen to enter in the names.
“Reid, it’s his birthday,” I said, bumping his shoulder playfully.
“Birthday boy, it is, then who?” Brayden continued to enter the names as people shouted them out, half of us on one lane, the other four on the second. Kingston and Jesse joined us as we finished figuring out the bowling order, Reid’s and my shoes in hand before we all scattered to find a ball.
“So, who’s excited for winter formal?” Zoey questioned as we got started. “We’re still getting ready at your house, right, Emma?”
“Yup, Lyla said she’d come hang out with us too. Figured she could help.”
“Anyone know who is supposed to win the king and queen thing?” Reid asked, plopping next to me on the couch, his arm going over my shoulder.
“Uh, I think the queen’s going to be Natalie Grenlin, and the King was a tie between Forest Borsan and Brad Warland,” Jason answered, lining up his shot and launching the ball down the aisle.
My blood ran cold, my chest constricting. I can’t go now. There won’t be any way I can enjoy the dance, knowing he’s there. I hadn’t even considered Brad would more than likely be attending the dance. Which was dumb, seeing as how he was one of the most popular guys in school.
How?
Don’t ask me because I have no freaking idea.
“Oh, shit,” Zoey gasped, looking at me. “I didn’t think about him going.”
“Who?” Jason asked, confused, walking back to his seat next to Aubrey. She scoffed, elbowing him in the side with a hushed whispered. “Oh, yeah.” He flashed me a sympathetic smile that looked more like a grimace, his hand rubbing the back of his neck. “Sorry.”
“It’s alright. We have a lot going on with tests and crap to the point, I can barely remember my own name, so I freaking get it.” Looking at Zoey and Aubry, I kept my smile as bright as I could. “I can still help you guys get ready.”
“Does that mean you guys aren’t going then?” Carter asked, glancing around at the guys. I noticed them glancing back and forth between each other, silent communication flowing as Zoey and Aubrey gave me sympathetic smiles.
“Nah, we’d rather hang with Cali girl, right?” Reid answered, the end of his statement directed at Kingston and Jesse, who immediately agreed. The tightness in my chest unwound, knowing I wasn’t ruining our plans because of one stupid boy.
I hate Brad.
And his stupid boat shoes.
“Your turn, Babydoll,” Kingston told me, nudging my leg. Here goes nothing. Hopping up, I grabbed my pink bowling ball from the return, lined up, and let the ball fly down the lane.
Strike.
“Yay!” I squealed, clapping my hands excitedly. “I did it!”
“Good job!” Brayden offered up a hand as I walked by for a high five.
“Let’s grab drinks and snacks,” Reid offered, “King, Jesse, come help us. There’s nine of us, and Cali girl and I only have two arms.” We got everyone’s orders and headed up to the counter. Thankfully, the place didn’t seem to be too busy on Wednesday evenings, so we were able to quickly place our order.
“You are choosing to not go to winter formal, right, Cali girl?” Reid asked as soon as we were off to the side to wait for the drinks and two batches of fries to come up.
“Yeah, but if you guys want to—” I started.
“No, Em. Either you want to go, or you don’t. This isn’t about us, it’s about you,” Jesse countered. “We want you to feel safe and enjoy your night. So, we can do something else or just hang out and watch a movie. We’re still getting to spend time with you, and that’s all we want.”
“You guys are too sweet,” I murmured, sniffing back a wave of tears that threatened to spill.
“Why are you crying, Babydoll?” Kingston asked. His wide eyes and horrified expression only served to make me giggle, tears streaming down my cheeks as I struggled to take a breath.
“Happy tears,” I huffed out between bouts of laugh crying. “You three treat me like a princess.”
“Well, we’ll just have to work on that, won’t we, guys?” Reid stated. Finally getting control of my laughter, I wiped my tears before giving him a confused head tilt. “We don’t want you to be treated like a princess.”
“You don’t?” I asked, surprised.
“Nop
e.” Reid wrapped me into a hug, his gaze darting around my face. “We want to treat you like a queen.”
They may be the death of me with all their teasing, but I will certainly die happy.
10
December 14th
Today, I will enjoy my time with the girls, making memories and taking photos for my album. After that? Movie night with my boys
#AllTheSelfies #GirlsDay #StressFreeSaturday
“Emma.” My mom’s head poked into my room, her dark brown gaze centered on me sitting in the middle of my bed. “Can I come in?”
“Sure.” Closing my textbook and notes, I scooted back enough for her to sit. “What’s up?” Despite my calm appearance, my stomach constricted as she sat, my mind flaring with some of the most insane scenarios.
Divorce last time. What could it possibly be this time?
Another move?
She’s getting married?
Alien Invasion?
“I know it isn’t Christmas yet, and I wasn’t sure what you and your friends had planned, but,”—she paused, holding out an unsealed envelope—“Merry Christmas.”
Taking the envelope, I opened it carefully. Quickly reading the card before opening it, my jaw dropped at the present inside.
A plane ticket back to Cali.
“I figured you could spend the holidays with your dad since it’s been a few months since you’ve seen him,” my mom offered with a small smile.
Unable to figure out what to say, I launched myself forward and hugged her fiercely.
“Thank you,” I murmured. As much as I hadn’t talked to my dad, I was ecstatic to see him again. I missed him more than I allowed myself to admit, so the thought of spending Christmas with him had my eyes watering.
“Of course, sweetie. I know he’s excited to see you,” she whispered, hugging me tightly, her hand rubbing soothing circles on my back. “Alright, I’ll let you go back to studying. The girls still coming over to get ready?” I nodded. “What are your plans? I thought you were going to the dance?”