Page 75 of You're So Vine
I feel Cam hastily shift around so he can get a better look at me. I don’t want to see the concern in his brown eyes because, right now, it will do me in. I focus on Nate instead, because I’ve had lots of practice keeping my poker face intact around my family.
“I’m good,” I lie. “Just tired. It was a long afternoon.”
“We should go,” says Cam. He sounds a little guilty, as if he feels to blame for over-taxing me.
“No!” I protest. “I’ve got another helping of curly fries to eat yet, remember?”
A new voice enters the fray. “Did someone say curly fries?”
“Jackson!” says Shelby. “Danny!”
She’s happy to see the late arrivals. Judging by how tense he’s suddenly become, Cam not so much.
“Room for two little ones?” says Jackson, gesturing to the booth.
“Absolutely not,” says Chiara. “I need my space.” She waves her hand. “Go fetch some chairs.”
Obedient as a big hairy dog, Jackson grabs a chair in each hand, and flops down into his. Danny, being a highly competitive Durant, stays standing, a tiny power play he’ll never win because it’s obvious Chiara couldn’t give two hoots whether he sits, stands, or does backward handsprings around the room.
To make it look like he has an actual valid reason for staying on his feet, Danny says to Jackson, “What can I get you?”
“Not fussy, man,” says Jackson. “Any kind of beer’ll do.” He adds a slightly embarrassed, “Thanks.”
My guess is Danny’s been paying for everything, which he can easily afford, but I understand why Jackson has mixed feelings. No one likes being beholden. Or broke and needy. Once again, I’m reminded how lucky I am. Or spoiled, depending on how you look at it. Though I hope I’ve never taken my good fortune for granted.
Jackson says to Shelby, “Hey, I thought I’d go visit Mom tomorrow. Want to come?”
I feel Cam jump a little beside me. And I try not to think too hard about what that might signify.
Shelby makes a glum face. “I can’t. Too busy.”
Her expression goes from glum to concerned. “Is she okay, do you think? I’ve been texting her and she seems fine…”
Jackson flicks a look at Cam, and I feel the same tiny jolt go through him. What’s going on? Is it the secret he’s keeping for her? Or is it that Lee Armstrong always has that effect on him? I don’t like either of those options, so I drink more of my beer. It’s going straight to my head, so I’d better eat more fries, too. Oh, mine are gone. Cam’s stopped eating his. I’ll steal those.
“I’m sure Mom is fine,” Jackson reassures his sister. “But I don’t know when I’ll be back this way, so I want to see her before I go.”
Shelby looks glum again. “Don’t stay away too long.”
She reaches across the table and steals the last of Cam’s curly fries. “You know, sometimes I wish the world wasn’t so big,” she says with a sigh. “I wish I had my family closer.”
Nate and I raise an eyebrow at each other at the same time. Family is awesome, we’re both thinking … but a little goes a long way.
Speaking of: brother Danny’s been up at the bar for longer than it should take to order two beers. I check out what’s happening. Simple: Brendan is ignoring him. Danny’s LA vibe probably reminds him of his ex-girlfriend. Or he’s in the mood to punish someone for Jordan’s continued coolness.
“Uh-oh,” says Chiara. “I think your brother’s about to click his fingers. That will not go down well.” She places her wine glass on the table. “Time for an intervention.”
She hustles Shelby and Nate out of the booth so she can exit, which she does with long-legged elegance. She strolls up to the bar like a catwalk model, places her hand on the small of Danny’s back, and whispers in his ear.
“What’s she saying?” I ask Cam. “Any guesses?”
Cam briefly shakes his head. He seems to have sunk into a fully non-verbal state, and it’s starting to bug me. I knowCam doesn’t socialize well, but all I can think about is that allhe’sthinking about is Lee Armstrong. One mention of her and he withdraws inside himself like a freaking hermit crab.
I’m tired; my brain is beer-fuzzy, and my emotional buttons are worn from being pushed. If I don’t act now, I’m going to get super cranky. Last thing I want to do is have a big ol’ fight on the way home.
I nudge Cam’s arm. “Time to go.”
That was the right thing to say to rouse him. He’s on his feet, holding out his hand for me. I slide out of the booth to say my farewells.
