Page 13 of Skating and Fake Dating
I’ve read all the books out there on mastering life and have tried all the hacks to be less of a hot mess, but I can’t ever seem to get anything right.
Powering my phone back on, I develop a nervous twitch when the family group chat blows up with notifications.
I tell myself I’m not going to be late for the wedding this weekend, but I bypass explaining to my family what happened with my travel plans and try to book Carson another flight because I don’t want to inconvenience him after all he’s been through in the last twelve hours, namely being trapped in the bathroom with me.
A red box with an alert indicates that all flights have been grounded out of Sea-Tac. It’s weather-related. Thinking fast, I opt to rent him a car. It’s less than ideal, but he can drive to Maple Falls, rather than take a bus. I’ll get myself a ticket if no one in my family can pick me up.
But I cannot be late for my cousin’s wedding … to my ex. Not because I want to be polite, but because I want revenge.
Call me shallow or petty, but I won’t be the pathetic, heartbroken family slacker they think I am. No. Bailey Porter will show up with a glow-up, chin lifted, hair styled, and a broad smile of triumph on her face. This small-town girl is having success in the big city, and isn’t that the best revenge?
Technically, Cobbiton and Maple Falls are towns, but I worked with a player in Denver before that, so there!
The captain thanks us for traveling with the airline, apologizes for the turbulence, and gives us the local forecast. Looking out the window, I can tell that it’s rainy with fog as thick as my grandmother’s porridge.
Still ignoring the Porter family chat, I text my friends Clara and Mabel, who’re both originally from Maple Falls. I let them know that I’ll be in town for the wedding and work. Clara replies instantly.
Clara: Does this mean you’re moving back?
Me: Temporarily.
I explain my employment situation and how I’ll help Carson ‘Bama’ Crane acclimate to life with the new team. She replies with all of his stats, apparently having looked him up.
Clara: Hockey is really heating up around here.
Me: Let’s hope not. We want the ice to stay cold.
Clara: Haha. You’re so punny.
Me: And awkward.
I tell her about my embarrassing encounter in the bathroom with Carson.
Clara: I am literally lol-ing. Only you, Bailey. Only you. So are there little sparks between you guys? Chemistry? A flaming, bubbling cauldron of potential?
Me: I’m telling myself that the yucky situation of being trapped in an airplane bathroom cancels out any yummy.
Does it, though? My head is still in cotton candy clouds and my feet hardly feel like they’re touching the ground even though I’m back on terra firma.
Clara: I can’t wait to see you and your handsome Southern gentleman in person.
Before I can tell her he’s notmyhandsome Southern anything, I get a text from my cousin Savanna. I’m typing a response, explaining the situation, when my phone rings. It’s my mother.
Closing my eyes, I pray for patience. If you’ve met Taffy Porter, then you know why this is required.
“Where are you? You’re supposed to be at the airport. Savanna texted and said you’re not there.”
“Hi, Mom. The flight was diverted because of the weather.”
“What weather? It’s a clear night.”
“Maybe in Maple Falls, but not at the airport.”
“You’re supposed to be home by now,” my mother says as if I have any influence whatsoever over flight patterns and meteorological conditions.
“I’m working on getting a bus.”
“Don’t be late, but are you sure that’s a good idea? Buses can be dirty and filled with questionable characters, especially at night.”
