Nowhere but Home A Novel - By Liza Palmer Page 0,95
hates shit like this.
“Thank you so much, Coach. On behalf of the Paragon Ranch, I would consider it my privilege,” Everett says, taking the coin and shaking Reed’s hand. People are hooting and hollering as pictures are taken of the two men.
Merry Carole and I are as quiet as the grave.
I don’t see Everett again. As the barbecue winds down, Hudson and I settle into a couple of plastic chairs and laugh and talk the entire time. Merry Carole joined us after about an hour and we even got her laughing, despite herself. We ate brisket, drank beer, and decided that my coleslaw was definitely better than Delfina’s. Cal came over and introduced his friends, West among them. This led to Merry Carole and me whispering the torrid tale of West Ackerman’s lineage. Hudson could only gloat, insisting that his theory about wealth trumping eccentricity was proving itself to be true sooner rather than later.
As the sun finally set, Merry Carole fussed around the house, cleaning up, and made sure Reed was looked after in every way, except to join him in publicly declaring their love for each other. I catch them a few times in nooks and corners, whispering and pleading with each other.
“Do y’all want to come home with us or . . .” I trail off, plopping down next to Cal and Merry Carole.
“Cal, honey?” Merry Carole asks.
“I can walk home from the McKays, Momma. They’re doing that big after-party thing at their house,” Cal says.
“Is that your version of asking for permission to attend this ‘big after-party thing’?” Merry Carole snaps.
“Yes, ma’am,” Cal says.
“All right then. But I don’t want you staying out too late, and drinking is just out of the question,” Merry Carole says, her brow furrowed. It’s as if it’s just dawned on her that her little boy is becoming a man.
“Yes, ma’am,” Cal says.
“I don’t need to tell you that you’re already working with a stacked deck, my love,” Merry Carole says, her voice lowering.
“Yes, ma’am.”
“People are just waiting for you to fail,” Merry Carole says.
“Honey, he’s going to a party at the McKays, not leaving for a weekend in Bangkok,” I say. Cal can’t help but laugh. Merry Carole softens just a bit.
“I know. I know,” Merry Carole says, fussing with Cal’s hair. He is ever so patient with her.
“So Hudson and I are going to take off. You’ll be okay?” I ask, my eyebrows raised.
“Sure. Sure,” Merry Carole says; unbelievably, she picks up what I’m putting down.
“Merry Carole, I’m sure I’ll see you again,” Hudson says, extending his hand to her. She takes it.
“Pleasure seeing you again, Hudson,” Merry Carole says.
“Take your time now,” I say over my shoulder as Hudson and I make our way to the front door. Merry Carole shoos me away as her face colors.
As we drive through the empty streets of North Star, I’m happy. I had a good time today, against all odds. It started out a bit rough, took an unexpected turn, but leveled out rather nicely. They can’t get to me if I don’t let them. If I’m sitting there laughing and having fun, claiming my space; they can’t huff and puff and blow my house down.
Go ahead and have your fun with Mr. I Like Him and He’s Nice. I know how this ends and so does he.
Where do I put this “fact” in the library like purgatory that is my brain these days? I can testify and monologue all I want about being over Everett, but when he leaned over and I felt his breath on the side of my face, I knew it was all bullshit. I craned my neck to look into those eyes of his because I couldn’t help myself. It took all I had to not dive into him and kiss him right there. Please don’t let me be the only one who thought that.
“You all right?” Hudson asks as he parks in front of Merry Carole’s salon.
“It was just a long day,” I say, unclicking my seat belt and turning to face him. Hudson leans across and kisses me. I break from him. Feeling tired. Maybe I’m conflicted about Hudson. Or Everett. Who knows? “I’d better head in,” I say. I get out of the car, slamming the door behind me. I walk around to his side and lean down.
“Your friends are super nice. I had fun today,” Hudson says.
“You’re a really good liar,” I say, kissing him again.