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She picks up her big hat from beside her lounge and places it on her head. The huge rim practically covers her whole face. “They’ll never find me.”
“All right, Agent 007, I’ll catch you later.”
She waves me off as I stroll toward the resort’s main bar, where our families have a cabana.
I smile when I hear the cackling hens before I can actually spot them. All our moms are sitting around an umbrella-covered table with a half-empty pitcher of God knows what in front of them.
“Ahh, there you are, my sweet boy… You finally made it,” my mom says as I approach.
“Hey, Mom. Yeah, was just by the pool with Mads... Hey, Lydia. Hey, Vanessa.” I haven’t seen anyone else yet except Maddie, so I make my way around the table, giving kisses and hugs to everyone.
“Come sit, have a drink with us!” Vanessa insists while pulling out the chair between her and my mom.
“Oh man, I'm in trouble. I don’t know if I’ll survive the day if I start drinking with you three.” They all break out in laughter, knowing damn well I’m not lying.
“Just one drink,” my mom says.
Well aware I won't win this one, I sit my ass down. A drink appears in front of me almost instantly. I take a hesitant sip but am surprisingly satisfied.
“Mmm, what is this?”
“Wait, it's not ready yet,” Lydia says and pours a shot of amber-colored liquor on top.
I raise my brow in question, but they just continue refilling their own glasses in the same manner.
“It’s a Miami Vice with a 151 floater. Stir it up before you drink it,” my mom instructs before swirling her own straw around hers.
“Damn, ladies, you go hard… its only eleven a.m.”
“Oh, shush and drink up,” Lydia orders, and I do. Shit is delicious.
I’m just relaxing, listening to their gossip, when I hear something that makes me choke.
“So, tell us about this basketball guy Quinn has been seeing,” my mom says, staring me down as she does. I know she’s aware there’s something between Q and me, even if we’ve never said it out loud.
Vanessa’s eyes flick to me before she answers. “Yeah, he seems like a nice guy. They’ve been on a few dates… We met him a few weeks ago at one of her games.”
Is this why Queenie has been ignoring me? She’s been seeing someone forweeksnow. I try to ignore the ache in my chest. Sure, we’ve both hooked up with other people on occasion, but never anything serious. Not meet-the-parents worthy.
Why didn’t she say anything to me?
“Well, she deserves to be happy. She’s the most loyal and sweetest thing,” Lydia croons from across the table.
My mom’s focus is on me yet again, as if she's studying my response. I hope to keep my wandering thoughts in check; otherwise, she’s going to see how much this news hurts.
“She’s the best. I hope she's happy,” I say, trying to sound unaffected, then finish my drink quickly.
All of their eyes are currently on me. I can’t handle their scrutiny right now… Do they all know? Are we the fools who think we’ve been stealthy this whole time?
Standing up, I make up an excuse to leave. “I gotta head over to the activities center. They have a cornhole tournament sign-up going on, and I don’t want to miss it.”
They all wave me off with a goodbye, and I can hear their silent whispers as I walk away. But right now, I could give two shits about what they’re saying.
My brain is too busy with racing thoughts to care… All I'm focused on is finding out who the fuck this guy is who Q is seeing, and why she hasn’t said anything to me. We share and talk about everything. I meaneverything. So why not mention someone worthy enough of meeting her fucking parents.
I’ll get my answers eventually… She can’t avoid meallweek.
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