Page 7 of Embody

Three

Bellamy

NOT SURE EXACTLYwhat happened last night, but after a private, and what looked heated, sidebar with her brother, Brynn asked me to ride home with the guy she likes…without her.

I know there’s no “trust” issues there—I’d die before I betrayed Brynn in any way, and Ryder feels exactly the same—I have no doubt, but the abrupt change in plans was odd. And Brynn didn’t seem happy about it, at all.

And JT, who couldn’t take his eyes off me, which I know because I couldn’t seem to manage to take mine off him either, left without so much as a “nice to meet you” or small wave…chin nod…anything.

Strange indeed.

And it just so happens, tonight’s the party Brynn’s parents are throwing at their house in honor of her being voted “MVP” of the softball team this past season, (by the players, not her mom) to which she invited me.

My first function with her whole family that I’ve heard so much about.

I’m pretty confident “whole family” includes her brother, and I’d feel a lot better walking into the celebration if I knew what was up last night. So after I shower and have some breakfast, I text Brynn.

 

Me: Morning, everything okay…with you? Us? You left kinda weird last night.

 

After several minutes of no response, I decide to start straightening up my apartment. Because idle hands are nervous, is-she-pissed-at-me, paranoid hands.

Cleaning doesn’t take long, considering my apartment’s small and has very few furnishings. My income from The Pit Stop barely covers the student-discounted rent and utility package, so my “style” is what I have proudly dubbed “miniscule chic.”

But I refuse to ask my parents for another dime. They’ve already sacrificed so much for me to even attend college.

I have what I need, I selfishly splurged on a cell phone, and I’m getting a chance at college, which I never dreamed would happen. Growing up in rural Mississippi, Dad a factory worker and Mom a waitress at night and school bus driver by day, I am one very blessed girl. And one day, with a degree and a great job, I’m gonna make sure my parents have a nice house and never have to look at another shut-off notice ever again.

My phone, the flip kind, not one of those fancy, mini-computer types (I managed to hold onto some semblance of priorities) dings.

 

Brynn: We’re great, I’ll see you tonight, right? My brother was just being overprotective, as usual. I knew Ryder would get you home safe.

 

Me: Okay cool, just making sure. Yep, I’ll be there. Anything I can bring?

 

Brynn: A bathing suit, and clothes if you wanna stay over.

 

Me: K, see ya there.

 

Brynn: You’ll see me at your door. Pick you up at 5.

 

I might take her up on the offer to sleep over. Public transit worksadequately, I’m stretching, for school and work but somehow I doubt it runs by Brynn’s house…at night. And I certainly don’t want her to miss any of her own party by having to tote me back home. It’s embarrassing enough she has to come get me.

But a car, even a clunker held together by bread ties, pantyhose and gum, isn’t in the budget right now.

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