had, it was nearly impossible. It was Thursday, and I’d already started to recognize a pattern in my own behavior. When I was pissed or frustrated, I tended to take it out on Chelsea by giving her some sort of impossible assignment. Unfortunately for her, that pretty much meant she was constantly bombarded with tasks.
I felt a little guilty when I saw she still hadn’t texted back. I had to admit I was projecting my anger at my parents on her, and she also gave me a legitimately good solution to help with Chris’ problem Monday night in the car. But I’d let my guard down too much, so I’d been trying to remind her where we stood ever since then. Maybe I was also trying to remind myself.
Besides, I wasn’t going to go soft on her just because she was accidentally useful for once in her life.
“I’m just saying,” my father continued between mouthfuls of the crusty bread they’d left on our table. He smeared another generous helping of butter on the piece in his hand, waving his knife as he spoke. “You’re trying to sidestep this whole drug and partying thing. I say make it part of his image. Embrace it.”
I nodded. In any other context, I’d make my argument to the counter—explain that more than half our sponsors were family brands that’d drop us like we were hot if I tried anything like he was suggesting. But I knew it was easier to play nice and survive these conversations. Fighting back just dragged it out.
My mom pursed her lips a few minutes after my dad trailed off from making his points. “I know that Trish woman made some mistakes, but it really was the last time I saw you happy. Have you ever considered trying to work things out with her?”
I felt my nostrils flare. My parents both knew enough to know how insulting it was to suggest I’d ever try to patch things up with Trish. I knew better, but I couldn’t stop myself from speaking my mind.
“No. Trish was the worst thing that ever happened to me. I’d rather die alone and childless than so much as speak to her again.”
My mom tutted. “Now you’re just being dramatic. You two fought. It’s what couples do. You know your father and I fight all the time. Just yesterday he didn’t believe me when I said it was going to be cold this winter. But the love bugs came out in force right on schedule, and that always means it’s going to be a long, cold winter.”
My dad groaned. “You say that every year.”
“And what happened two years ago? I was right, wasn’t I?”
“You say it every year and you’re bound to be right sometimes. What about last year? Hm? Was that a long, cold winter?”
“See?” My mom said, pointing to my dad who was still waiting for an answer. “But we got along well enough to make two wonderful children.”
I forced a smile. The rules were different with my parents. I tried to be civil. I tried to play nice. So I shut my mouth and let my mom continue trying to encourage me to go out and impregnate the nearest willing woman.
Shortly after our lunch came, there was a slight commotion among the other people sitting near our table. A group of women got up, rushing to pull out their cameras.
I looked to see what was going on and spotted Chelsea walking arm in arm with Tia Klein.
Holy shit. She actually pulled it off?
Chelsea stopped near our table as Tia finished signing a few autographs and snapping pictures with some of her fans. She gave me a smug wiggle of her eyebrows. “His majesty asks, and he receives.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. “I’ll admit I’m slightly impressed. How did you pull that off?”
“I promised her you’d take her on a date.”
My stomach went ice cold. “You… what?”
Chelsea shrugged. “I figured there was no way you’d actually let it happen, so no harm done. But I assumed you wouldn’t send such an urgent text if you didn’t really, really need her here. Good luck, boss.” Chelsea waved over her shoulder and left. She actually walked away, and I was struck by how she might as well be the character in a movie with sunglasses on who walks away from explosions without looking. Because there was sure as hell about to be an explosion.
My parents went as quiet as starstruck children when Tia came to sit at