Page 63 of Hale Yes
“You made me take out a loan for this party, Bridget, because Angelica just had to have her party at Bridgewater Hall and insisted on this particular party planner… I realize that, but what did I pay the planner six thousand dollars for if you want me to come all the way back and make flower decisions?... Yeah, well maybe someone should paymesix thousand dollars since I’m doing her job… And not to mention the costs of renting the venue and catering and every other little thing… Fine, I’ll come back, but we’re not eating anything but beans and toast for the next twenty years because we’re not going to have money for groceries.”
He slams a thick finger against the phone screen, and I watch as his back rises and falls with his heaving breaths. When he finally turns around, I quickly pretend like Helix and I are deep in conversation about work.
“I’m not sure I like that name for the new mascara.”
My boss catches on immediately and asks, “No? What do you suggest we call it?”
“How about—Oh, hey, Pop,” I say, acting as though I just saw him walk up and hadn’t been eavesdropping on that whole conversation.
He looks miserable, his voice dreary. “I have to go back. I thought everything was planned to a T, but your mother and Angelica need me. I’m sorry, guys.”
Helix’s lips droop at the corners. “It’s no problem. We’ll head back now, and I promise, we’ll get you a ride on the Falcon soon.”
Pop stares longingly at the sleek silver plane and sighs. “Yeah, I guess.” Then he returns his gaze to us. “And it’s silly for all of us to go back. I’ll just catch a rideshare, and you two go get lunch and have some fun.”
I make a fast decision. “Pop, why don’t I go help Ma and Angelica so you can go up in the plane? I don’t mind, since I’vealready gotten to ride on it.” Okay, that’s a bit of a fib because the last place I want to be is with my mother and sister. But Pop deserves a little fun. He works hard with very little thanks.
He shakes his head. “She specifically said me. It will be okay. Why don’t you call your New York friends and see if they want to meet up? I’m sure they’d like to meet your new beau.”
I argue with him, but he’s not having it. My chest almost cracks in two when he glances sadly back at the plane once more before heading out to meet his Uber. I’m fucking fuming.
“Are you okay?” Helix asks, placing his hand softly against the back of my neck. I like the touch way too much.
“Not really. There’s no way she needs his help with flower arrangements. Building a shelf? Yes. Working on the plumbing? Also yes. But centerpieces?” I stomp my foot in anger. “She was just pissy because he was having fun with me.”
Helix’s hand squeezes. “Does she enjoy making other people miserable?” He winces. “Sorry, I know that’s your mother.”
That makes me smile a little. “No offense taken. Ma likes being in control, and she knows Pop won’t refuse if she says it’s somethingAngelicaneeds.”
He scoffs. “Needs. Yeah, right. Your Pop needs to learn to say no.”
My lips twitch. “Maybe he should find his own inner elephant.”
Two hours later, we’re eating burgers at a diner halfway between New York City and my parents’ house in Jersey. Artie, Lehra, and Cruz were all excited to meet up when I called them, and Helix insisted he was fine with going. After all, what else were we going to do with the rest of our day?
Lehra dabs at the tears running down her cheeks with a paper napkin. “No he did not threaten you while wearing a bathrobe and holding a goose,” she wheezes through her laughter.
Helix smiles indulgently. “He did indeed.”
“Never know what will happen in Houston,” Cruz cracks.
“Cruz is from Galveston,” I remind Helix. “He’s the one who gave me all the restaurant recommendations.”
Cruz shakes his head. “I can’t believe La Mariscada is closed. My mom used to take me there for my birthdays when I was a teenager.”
“When you and Lehra come to visit, we’ll take you to The Tapas Table,” Helix tells him. “They have a lot of the same dishes.” I don’t miss thewein that offer.
Leaning across the table, I lower my voice. “When Helix took me there, he said we were going to a tapas bar, and I thought he saidtoplessbar. I was completely freaked out until I figured it out.”
The table erupts in laughter again. We’re having so much fun, and Helix fits right in with my friends. He and Cruz begin talking about football while Lehra and Artie ask about everything going on in my life. God, I’ve missed them.
“Sounds like you have great neighbors,” Artie comments after a few minutes. “I mean besides Stefan almost committing assault with a deadly weapon against your boyfriend.”
“Shhh,” I shush him, waving my hand and glancing at Helix, who is still engrossed in a conversation with Cruz about the best running backs in the league. “I told you, it’s only fake.”
Artie, the master of dubious looks, lifts a perfectly waxed eyebrow. “Whatever you say, baby doll.” Luckily he lets it go and changes the subject. “So you said Stefan and Lukas are drag queens?”
“Yes, and they gave me two tickets to the grand reopening of the club where they work. I wish you were available in two weeks so you could fly to Texas and go with me.”
