Page 41 of The Riley Effect

Ivy

Maybe I should just be a Zombie for Halloween because that’s how I feel trying to find something to wear tonight. I probably should have put more effort into my costume considering this is the first year I’ll be out with my friends since I’ve been in college. Midterms are coming up, and if I wanted to go out tonight, I had to get some school work done first, so now–like I have had to for most of the semester–I need to figure out something to wear from what’s already in my closet because I don’t have time to run to the costume store in the mall before tonight.

There’s a hockey game this afternoon, and promised Caleb I’d take him to the game with me and Riley. Luckily, my sisterand Stella are coming too, so I won’t have to entertain the kid the whole time. I love him, but I don’t think I can handle his eight-year-old energy today.

“Lolaaa!” I scream to get her attention because I’m hoping she has something I can borrow for tonight.

When she gets to my room, she is panting. “What the fuck Vee? I thought you were seriously hurt up here.” She has her hands on her thighs trying to catch her breath.

“Do you have something I can wear to Jasper’s tonight?”

“I told you not to wait until the last minute to find a costume.” She glares at me the way a disappointed mom would look at a child who didn’t clean their room when she asked.

“Okay, I should have made time to do that, but I didn’t, and I need your help.” I bat my eyelashes because I know she can’t resist my puppy dog eyes.

“I have one thing that might work. Give me a minute to find it.” She spends the next fifteen minutes in her room, but when she comes back, I’m so thankful for the dress she is carrying. The silver dress is covered in large disc-like sequins that scream disco queen.

She throws the dress in my direction. I snatch it and hold it out in front of me and watch how light bounces off the discs when they’re hit at the right angles. I have to try it on to make sure that it will work with the seven inches I have on Lola.

The dress is a little short, but I will make it work. I pull out my silver platform heels and slide them on. Not bad for a last-minute look.

I hear a whistle coming from the bedroom door, and I’m startled yet flattered to see Marcus standing at my door with Indy by his side. “I know someone who will be happy to see you inthattonight.”

I feel my face flush. I pick up a pillow and throw it in Marcus’ direction to take the attention off myself. A satisfied smile springs on my face when it hits Marcus square in the head.

I’m still uncomfortable talking about Jalen with everyone, and now that he is free to hook up with whoever he wants, maybe the thought of us being together will lose its appeal. It’s not like I have time to add another responsibility to my list and to be honest, Jalen deserves to be with someone who can give him all of them, and the sooner he realizes that, the better.

When I take my seat behind the home bench after the national anthem, my sister and the kids are already sitting in their seats. I walk up and give Caleb and Stella hugs and make sure I make a big show of it because Caleb is now at the age where he is too cool to show any affection. After placing an overly dramatic kiss on the top of his head, I take the open seat next to my sister.

“What are the kids doing for Halloween?” I ask. Back when I lived with my sister full-time, Halloween was my favorite holiday to spend with the kids. We still go to those pop-up costume stores, and let the kids try on a hundred different costumes until they find the perfect one. Before this year, I’d alternate between Caleb and Stella, trying to match one of their themes.

“Just the normal, trick-or-treating with the neighborhood crew, then while the kids sort through their candy, the parents will be enjoying some wine.” I can tell my sister is in need of a wine night. She is the best mother to these kids, but I hope she starts finding time to do things for herself. She deserves it.

“That’s good. What’s the latest neighborhood gossip? Are the Wilsons and Andersons still fighting over who broke the gardengnome?” Small-town drama is the best. It’s so trivial, but the whole town gets involved, and it makes for must-see TV.

My sister laughs, but before she can answer, banging on the glass draws both of our attention to the ice. Jalen is waving way too enthusiastically for someone who is in head-to-toe hockey pads. His smile takes up his entire face. I turn to Caleb, who is talking to his sister, and show him who is at the glass. Caleb jumps up on his seat like somehow standing on the seat will make Jalen hear him better.

“Jalen! What’s up? I’m so excited to watch you play! I’ve been watching hockey videos on YouTube to learn all the rules.” It’s true that ever since they met after my game, Caleb has been taking in anything that has to do with hockey. Jalen has everything to do with his new interest in the sport.

Jalen looks genuinely happy to hear about my nephew’s newfound love for hockey. “Any time you want to take the ice, let me know. I coach kids at home, so I already have a bunch of drills.”

I think the air conditioning broke in here because the thought of Jalen teaching kids how to play hockey has me wanting to strip out of my coat.

Jalen spins toward the center line where the captains are lining up and tilts his head in our direction.

“I’m serious, Caleb. Anytime you want to play, let your aunt know. She has my number. And I’ll see you tonight, Ivy.” Then he winks at me. A dramatic I can’t wait to bang you again, wink.

Of course, this is the moment my sister decides to join the conversation. While Jalen skates away, my sister asks me, “What are your plans for tonight, Ivy?”

I don’t even attempt to lie to my sister. She’s always been able to see through my bullshit.

“Me and some of my teammates are meeting Jalen and some of his friends at the baseball house for a Halloween party before going to the bar. Nothing crazy.”

“You seem to be going out a lot this semester,” Ruby says. To most, this sounds like a concerned sister, but she is proud of me for getting out there more. “And it seems like Jalen has a lot to do with that.”

“I mean, he is Marcus’ roommate, so I guess we’ve been hanging out a lot.”

I love my sister and owe everything I’ve accomplished to her and her sacrifices, but I know she would be devastated if she knew the real reason I’ve always kept boys at arm’s length. Meaning my love life is the one part of my life I’ve always kept from her.

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