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“You can meet me there,” I reply.
“Cool. I’ll help load these into your car.”
He carries most of the containers, and we stack them into my back seat before he kisses me on the cheek and says good-bye. I rush upstairs to shower egg yolk and flour off myself and start undressing when my phone beeps with a text.
James: Have dinner with me.
The high I’ve been riding from hanging out with Rex is wiped away, and the thought of having dinner with James makes me gag. I debate on not answering him, but like always, I do.
Me: Busy with a fundraiser tonight.
James: Can I come?
This time, I nearly heave up the few cookies I taste-tested.
Me: No. My parents will be there.
James: That’s rude. Isn’t it time to introduce me to your family?
I want to introduce him to my family like I want McDonald’s to stop serving their fizzy Cokes.
Me: What do you want?
James: For you to stop hanging out with him. To stop fucking him.
Repulsion shakes through me.Himis Rex. I hate when James brings him into our mess.
Me: Stop. We’re just friends.
James: Better be.
I toss my phone onto my bathroom counter with tears pricking my eyes. I can’t ask Rex to make his Instagram private, or he’ll question me. If I ask him to block James, he’ll assume he’s messing with me. My mouth will stay shut, my secrets hidden, and I’ll keep dealing with James the best I can by pacifying him.
Eventually, he’ll get tired of me.
Hopefully.
* * *
I arriveat the church two hours early to set everything up.
The weather is on our side today, the sun shining bright with a slight breeze. The fundraiser is being held in the parking lot. My biggest goal during these events is to keep the kids entertained, so I made sure it was near the playground, I ordered a bounce house, and the elementary school principal agreed to attend dressed up as a clown.
Food and money have been donated, and from what I’ve seen on Facebook, the fundraiser should pull in a decent crowd, which is typical. Blue Beech citizens love their church, food, socializing … andgossiping.
The after-school program is a great cause. Years ago, my mother started it, and she runs it for free along with other volunteers. The church provides free childcare to children until parents can pick them up after work.
People are arriving, searching for seats while children run through the parking lot toward the bounce house.
“Hey,” Rex says at the same time his arms wrap around my waist from behind.
His arms don’t move as I turn around to face him.
“Hey.” A hint of shyness is in my tone, surprising me since I’m always myself around him.
Then again, we’ve also never hung out in public the day after his face was between my legs.
He looks as hot as ever today with his black shirt and knee-length ripped black shorts with frayed ends. His hair is messy, per usual, and I can’t stop myself from running a thumb over the stubble coating his jaw.
