Oh, Albert… not now.“We ran out, Albert. There’s lots of other flavors to choose from.”
“But I like the Cheetos, damnit.”
Oh no… Albert’s going to lose it again if I don’t get him Cheetos, never mind that there are four different flavors of Lays and some Doritos. No, Mr. needs his Cheetos. “I’ll go see in the back,” I tell him.
“Okay, I’ll stand here, and make sure no one steals anything.”
I sigh. “Gee… thanks, Albert.”
“I can call back,” Colton says. “At a better time. You sound busy.”
“Nope. It’s good. I can talk. What did you want to ask me?”
“Why haven’t you RSVPd to the party?”
I’m shocked by this turn of events. “Your party? The ladies’ party? The Player’s Game?”
He laughs. “Yes. You were pre-approved. I thought you knew that. Didn’t Martha get in touch with you?”
“Not that I know of.”
“Oh… well she was supposed to…” His words trail off.
I rip open the box of Cheetos bags with more force than necessary, my phone sandwiched between my chin and shoulder.
“So would you like to come?” he asks.
I think back to the last party. Sure, it was fun. But it was also like being on an episode ofThe Bachelor. I won’t even watch that show, let alone be in a similar scenario. “It was a one-time thing, Colton,” I explain. “I needed the money. By the way, I never thanked you. You have no idea how much help that eleven grand will be for us.”
“So that’s it?” he scoffs. “It was just about money for you. I thought we were friends.”
I’m taken aback. I didn’t expect this at all. Colton sounds really upset. Could he really give a damn? Maybe he does. “Uh… we are,” I hesitate to say. “It was fun the other night, watching that movie.”
“So you’ll come?”
Damn him. I don’t want to go. I don’t want to compete with all those perfect women, including Cassie. I think about my best friend, and my mood lightens. Cassie and I could have a ball there together. “Uh… I guess I could, but I have nothing to wear.” I don’t know why I felt compelled to share this information, but it’s true… and very sad. “It’s okay,” I’m quick to say. “I can borrow something from my friend, Cassie. She’s coming to the party, too.”
“Oh… interesting,” he says. “Well, I imagine you’ll have an even better time this go-around.”
“Probably,” I agree. “We always have a blast together.”
I hand Albert his bag of Cheetos with a tight smile.
“You sound busy,” Colton says again. “I should let you go.”
“Yes. I kind of am…” I admit.
“I’ll count you as aYesthen. No need to contact Martha,” he tells me. “Bye, Bella.”
Bye, Bella.
“What was that all about, sweet pea?” Albert asks. "You look very concerned.”
Oh… and another thing about Albert: He likes to call me ‘sweet pea’. I don’t like it.
“I’m going to a party,” I tell him. “And I have nothing to wear.”
He shakes his head. “Women,” he says, a soft whisper, and turns on his heel.
