Page 18 of Theo
Joan's glower softened into a creepy grin."Your generation doesn't have a clue how to look nice.I've already canceled Naomi, so Grace will be here soon."With that she walked out.
I turned to my mom.She held out her arms because she knew I needed a cry.She hugged me and patted my back."It'll be fine, sweetie.You're beautiful no matter what makeup you're wearing."
I took a deep breath, wiped my eyes and lifted my face.Mom held my shoulders and peered up at me."You've got a brilliant future with George, and yes, his mother is a little too much."
"A little?She is so much worse than I even expected."
Mom leaned forward and kissed my cheek."Take that bubble bath you were looking forward to, and you'll feel better.This is a big day, sweetheart, and Dad and I are so proud of you."Mom's eyes teared up.She was so excited about my future.If only I felt an ounce of that excitement.
Mom walked out, and I went in and started the bath.I leaned against the bathroom counter and watched a frothy plume of iridescent bubbles begin to grow.I pulled my phone out of my pajama pocket.After Joan's ambush, I was feeling even less confident about my choices and my future.I was in no state of mind to send off a text, but I couldn't stop myself.Ironically, talking to Theo these last few days had been the only thing keeping me from going stark raving mad.
"What the hell am I doing, Theo?"I added in a sad face emoji and sent it.
The phone rang.All the emotion, tension and regret I had bottled up poured out in sobs.I answered but couldn't speak.All he heard were my sniffles.
"Send me the address," he said plainly.
"What?No, I—you don't?—"
"Ace, send me the fucking address."He hung up.
I stared at my phone for a second, then typed out the address for the estate and hit send.The second it was delivered, I realized it was a huge, giant, stupid mistake.Seemed I was making a lot of those lately.
ELEVEN
THEO
I'd tossed and turned all night, thinking about Lacey and how much I missed her.I'd finally fallen into a deep sleep just as daylight started creeping past my broken blinds.Even in a heavy sleep, the text notification yanked me awake.I grabbed the phone and knew I had to call her.
I showered, got dressed and headed downstairs.Surprisingly, Crusoe was already up eating a bowl of cereal.Cormac had moved in a month ago.He came in behind me.
"Shit, it's Saturday and no pancakes," Cormac grumbled."Miss Mom's pancakes."
Crusoe looked up at him."What the hell are you?Six?Eat a fucking bowl of Cap'n Crunch like a real man."Crusoe slid the box toward him.
"Guys up for a road trip?"I asked as I grabbed a bowl down for both Cormac and me.
"Where to?"Crusoe asked.
"Just two hours north to Santa Loma."
Cormac rubbed his naked chest.There was a cheese puff stuck in his thick dark hair.Crusoe pointed it out, and Cormac yanked it free."If you even think about eating that thing," Crusoe said.
Cormac grinned and shoved it into his mouth.
"You're a fucking pig," Crusoe said."Why are you going to Santa Loma?Isn't that a Richy Mc Snobbville?"
"It is.I'm going up there to get Lacey."
Both their faces snapped my direction.
"Lacey?"Cormac asked."YourLacey?"
I nodded in agreement at his assessment."Damn right.Going up there to getmyLacey."
Crusoe tilted his head at me."Isn't she getting married?"
"Not if I can help it.She's at some fancy estate, and the place is going to be crawling with Richy Mc Snobs.You guys in?"
