Page 79 of Bombshells
“You’re nothing like him, you know.”
“Of course I’m not. I know that.”
“Do you? I hope so. You’re nothing like that man. Even if you fall head over heels for Bryce’s ex, that does not mean you’re anything like your father. Because you’re the best there is, honey.”
“Thanks, Mom.” There’s an actual lump in my throat now, even if my head is spinning. “Thanks for the pep talk.”
“Any time! Beat Dallas!”
“We play Calgary next.”
“Then beat Calgary. Whatever. Now that we’ve got that settled, Jeopardy is on. Watch with me?”
“Nah. I’m supposed to be napping.”
“Sleep tight!”
In the silence after she hangs up, I check my texts to see if Sylvie has responded to my latest.
Nope.
I can’t text her again, because that’s just pathetic. So I find my little brother’s name, and I tap out a text to Rudy. Hey man. How’s it going with you?
Rudy: Not good. I forgot to unload the dishwasher and so Lana changed the wifi password.
Anton: Bummer. Who’s Lana?
Rudy: The babysitter. Guess who’s going to unload the dishwasher next?
Anton: You?
Rudy: Yup. What are you doing?
Anton: Sitting in a hotel room. Kinda bored.
Rudy: Does the hotel have a pool?
Anton: I’m not sure.
Rudy: Well find out! What are you waiting for?
I smile, because suddenly I can remember feeling exactly the same thing—that an unexplored hotel pool was the most exciting thing in the world.
Rudy: Something the matter, Anton? You don’t usually text me.
Anton: Nah. Just wondered what you were up to.
Rudy: So it must be girl trouble?
Holy crap. Am I that transparent? Well there is a girl. I like her. But it’s complicated. I suspect she still likes this other boy.
Rudy: Story of my life.
I crack up. And while I’m laughing, Rudy keeps typing.
Rudy: If you’re not sure, tho, that means you have a chance.
Anton: I suppose you’re right.
