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I try to get comfortable in my seat. “Sure. We can do that too.”
Donovan glances at me sidelong.
“What?” I ask, because his stare feels intentional.
“You’re bad at being alone,” he comments.
“I’m not…bad at it. It’s just more fun with people.”
Donovan picks up his remote and clicks on the TV. “You can stay here or not. But if you do stay, you have to be quiet.”
“Quiet. I can be quiet. What are we watching?”
“Stargate.”
“Huh. I’ve never seen it. Is it set in the future? Something I don’t get about these shows—is it like an alternate universe, or is it this universe but centuries later? Because I gotta say, her hair looks way nineties. But, I don’t know, I guess they could make a comeback.”
Donovan sucks in a breath. “I’m going to get out the duct tape if you don’t shut up.”
I zip my mouth and pretend to throw away the key.
Donovan chuckles. He (finally) takes a sip from his coffee. “This is good,” he says, and my heart flips a little.
I have to tell my parents about my divorce. I’m aware of that.
But every time I try, I feel my tongue turn to cement.
I can’t actually sit still through the whole episode, so after a little bit I step outside and decide to make an attempt.
I call the house.
It rings, and I sweat, and it rings some more.
“King residence,” says a sweet voice—my mother’s voice—and immediately some of my fear slides off like a snake skin. At least it’s not my father.
“Hey. Mom. It’s me.”
“Jason!” She cries out like a parakeet. “Oh, it’s so good to hear from you. I was just thinking about you.”
My mom’s voice makes me feel strangely small and nostalgic. Like finding a teddy bear stuffed away in your childhood closet and thinking, oh, wow. I forgot about you.
“Oh yeah?”
“Yes—I was just going through some of these wedding photos of you and Nadine and, darling, you look so sweet. Who would’ve thought you’d look that good in a robe?”
“It’s a Sherwani, mom. Not a robe.”
“Whatever it is, it’s gorgeous. Is Nadine with you?”
Cold sweat trickles down the back of my neck. My heart is beating in my throat.
“Uh—she just jumped in the shower, actually.”
“Oh, well, tell her I say hi, won’t you?”
“Will do,” I lie, and I hate myself for it.
4
