But cute won’t work for me. I’m a girl on a mission and that means my efforts must be firmly focused on my goal.
“It’s a deal. As long as I choose where we go.”
There’s a method in my madness. If it’s my decision I can make sure it’s well away from prying eyes.
“No.” He looks across at me, the expression on his face daring me to disagree. Well he can’t frighten me.
“But I’m—”
“I’ve got two tickets for Truck-fest next month and—”
“Truck-fest,” I scream, my hand shooting up to cover my mouth. “Truck-fest,” I say through splayed fingers. “You have tickets for Truck-fest? That is the coolest thing ever.” I am just about to run over and fling my arms around his neck when I abruptly pull myself back and wrap my arms around my middle instead.
Get a grip girl. Sorry.
Anyway, Truck-fest isn’t the sort of thing I go to now as I’m not that kind of girl any more. Though it looks like I may not have a choice. I’m going to have to bite the bullet and go. Oh dear!
Maddie and I lined up for hours when Truck-fest came to Dallas. And was it worth it? You bet it was. The sight of those trucks racing around the circuit. It was awesome. And the atmosphere was wicked. I couldn’t hear properly for a week after. Maddie’s going to be so jealous when I tell her where I’m going. She’s always saying we’ve got to go again. Good job I only put my Doc Martens to the back of the closet and didn’t throw them away. Same goes for my old clothes, seeing as it isn’t an event where one makes a fashion statement—well not one of the Lori variety, anyway.
“So you approve then?” Ryan grins and my heart does yet another flip. I dread to think how many times it’s done that since I’ve bumped into him, which isn’t a good sign. It’s not because I have the hots for him still. I think it’s just a bad case of nerves. Yes, that’s definitely it. Anyone in my position would be feeling the same. I’m sure.
“I do,” I say, unable to stop a huge smile crossing my face and staying there. And I can’t imagine anyone from school will be going which is the hugest relief ever.
So at the moment all is right with the world.
***
“He seems a nice boy,” Mom says after Ryan leaves. “Very different from Guy though.” Yeah well it doesn’t take rocket science to work that one out. Nor does it take rocket science to work out she means Guy is more suitable, coming from a rich family and being so polite and stuff. Definitely a Rosie sort of boyfriend.
Not that Ryan isn’t polite, but you can just tell he comes from a different background. Though, to be fair, she wasn’t off with him at all.
“Yes Maddie and I met him a couple of years ago at camp. He’s great. We all hung out together in a big group. It sure surprised me when I saw him working in Starbucks.”
“So how come he’s living here then?”
“I’m not sure. I didn’t ask. I’ll ask him next time I see him.”
“You’re seeing him again? Won’t Guy mind?”
“Mom, we’re friends. Of course Guy won’t mind. But I might not mention it to him. So don’t say anything it if he comes around.”
Why am I telling her all this? I think Maddie’s right. I should go back to playing things close to my chest rather than blurting out everything given the slightest opportunity. It’s not natural for a girl of my age to confide in her Mom like this. Although Rosie did. I remember they used to have their ‘catch-up chat’ whenever Rosie came around. Mind you, Mom seemed to look forward to their chats more than Rosie did.
And Rosie did keep some things secret—I still don’t think Mom knows about the butterfly tattoo she had on her left butt-cheek. Rosie said she did it for a bet. I was more than surprised, let me tell you—you think you know someone then they do something totally random. It was pretty—pink, blue and purple in a swirly pattern and made me want to have one—except I couldn’t face the pain.
“Don’t get yourself in trouble by playing them both along,” Mom says cutting into my thoughts. “You’ll get yourself a bad reputation. When I was your age girls who played the field didn’t get the nice boys.”
Yeah, yeah, yeah. I hardly