Page 23 of Things I Wish I Said
I shrug. “It was nothing serious at first.”
“And now? Is it serious now?” She gapes, and if I didn’t feel so bad about lying to her, I’d laugh. Her expression is so comical.
“We have a lot in common. He’s an athlete and totally driven,” I say, having no idea if the latter is true. “Plus, he’s sweet and crazy hot.”
Totally not trouble like he claims.
“Hot,” Mom repeats like she doesn’t know the meaning of the word.
“Yeah.” I laugh. “I don’t know. It’s probably stupid to think he’s seriously interested in me,” I say, preying on my mom’s loathing of my self-deprecation, “but I think I might like him.”
“Why would it be stupid?” Mom frowns. “Just because you’re going through a hard time, doesn’t mean you’re not worthy. You’re incredible, Ryleigh. Any boy would be lucky to have you.”
“I guess.” I bite my lip, really playing it up.
“I’m serious.” Mom’s tone is firm. “I, for one, am thrilled at the news.”
My brows rise. “You are?”
“You’re home too much without soccer. Christy and Nadine are gone, off to college already, so without school, you have nothing to keep you busy. Nurse Anna was right, you know. It’s summer. The risk of infection or getting sick is lower now. You need to get out more, have some fun, and what’s better than a cute boy for motivation?” She smiles, and I almost feel guilty for playing on her emotions, because, God, is she predictable.
“Not cute, remember. Hot.”
Her brows rise. “How hot?”
I chuckle as I try to think of a comparison, but words fail me. “Um, he’s like a hotter version of Michael Trevino, circaVampire Diaries, but with these crazy-pretty blue-gray eyes and richly tanned skin, which makes me wonder about his nationality.”
“Wait. Which one is Michael Trevino?”
“Tyler.”
“Oh, yes!” Mom hums. “Sounds delicious.”
“Mom.” I squeal and cover my eyes. “Ew, gross!”
Mom laughs. “So when do I get to meet thisVampire Diarieslook-alike?”
“I don’t know. Soon,” I promise.
Don’t push, Ry. Don’t push . . .
“And I was just thinking that maybe if you liked him, he could take me to the ESPYs.”
Mom’s smile fades, and I know I’ve screwed up.
I’ve pushed too soon, especially after dropping the boyfriend bomb, but I just want this award so damn bad, and she seemed so excited about the boyfriend thing I couldn’t seem to help myself.
“Even if you do a have a boyfriend—”
“If?” I choke out. “You think I’d lie about having a boyfriend?” I scoff. “I already have cancer, Mom. Just how pathetic do you think I am?”
Super pathetic, apparently, since lying is exactly what I’m doing.
She casts me a wry look. “I didn’t mean it like that, and I don’t think you’re pathetic, but I’m also not letting my eighteen-year-old daughter take off on a trip across the country while she’s sick, with some boy I don’t even know.”
“So get to know him.” I roll my eyes like it’s no big deal. “I told you I’d bring him by soon.”
“Ryleigh, the award ceremony is in Los Angeles.” She shakes her head, and I panic.
