“Dirty fingernails, greasy hair,” she huffs. It’s like she thinks I don’t bathe or get cleaned up at all. Like I’m a ratty grease monkey. Truth is this woman doesn’t know me at all. She never has, she’s never tried.
“Richard has a friend that has a son who just graduated law school and is moving to the area. He’s handsome enough.”
That’s code for unattractive but give it some time and his bank account will make you forget all about the fact you are married to an ogre.
“I don’t need you to set me up with anyone, I’m fine on my own.”
“Alone.”
“Who says I’m alone? Anyway, if I chose to be alone that is my problem and not yours. But just so you know I’m not alone, I just prefer not to allow any man to occupy all of my time. I like my life, just as it is.”
“I will never understand you, Kendall.”
I know this, and the feeling is mutual.
The problems with her and my family stemmed from the fact that my father was not rich enough. Granted he has done pretty well for himself. He’s managed to build a pretty well-known business in a competitive area. But that would have never been enough for her. She wants glam and glory and my father he is not a flashy man. And I am not a flashy girl. I love getting dressed up and going out, don’t get me wrong. But I’m a jeans or cutoffs, tank or T-shirt kind of gal on most days.
“Listen, Mom.” I know I am going to regret this and I am still not really sure about it myself. But I need her to back off, so I do something I know I shouldn’t. “I don’t need you to set me up with anyone, I’m already kind of seeing someone.”
She squeals, like really loudly which triggers my entire body to jerk in surprise.
“Oh my gosh Kendall, tell me everything. Is he good-looking, does he spoil you? Who is it?”
“Mom.” Regret is already rushing through me.
“Do I know the family?” She continues with the questions and I know they won’t stop till I give her something.
“O’Shay.” I am so unsettled about the entire thing. I’ve been trying all day to keep myself from calling Aaron and telling him it was a bad idea for me to agree to giving anything a try.
“Yes, I know the name,” she adds and I know she is smiling. If you are from around here, you know the name O’Shay. “Which one, wait.” She pauses and I know she is weighing it all out in her head. “Please tell me it’stheO’Shay boy. Kendall!”
I roll my eyes.
“Pull yourself together, woman,” I lecture her. “It’s new, very new.”
If I’m being honest with myself, I’m pretty sure that we won’t even get through the first month without it imploding and leaving us both angry and wounded.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Aaron
Me: Dinner?
Kendall: Already ate.
Me: It’s four.
Kendall: Yeah so.
I smileas I imagine her nonchalantly responding to my messages. She drives me crazy but in a good way. Her attitude is sexy, she may think it will make me run, but it only makes me want to grab on tighter.
I dial her number and wait for her to answer. Of course she waits until the last minute.
“Yeah?”
“Well hello to you too.” I chuckle and again am met with silence. “You ate, fine. So I’ll grab a pizza and beer and we can sit out back of your place or mine. Maybe light a fire?”
Silence.
