Page 3 of Tucker
Ayda,Sadie, and Zoe are already seated around a table on the patio when I arrive atthe little Mexican restaurant. “Hey! Happy birthday!” Sadie exclaims. “Weordered you a margarita.”
Laughing,I take a seat. “Thank you. I guess we’re starting early.”
“Justa little warm up for tonight,” Zoe replies with a grin.
“Well,I’m officially unemployed, so why not?”
Ahighly sexual drawn out moan draws the attention of everyone seated around us.“Um…did your ass just have an orgasm?” I ask Sadie.
Withan exasperated sigh, she pulls her phone from her back pocket. “Fucking Justuskeeps changing my ringtone.” It goes off again and she turns the phone tovibrate, but a small smile inches across her face when she reads the text.
“Ishe sexting you?” Ayda chuckles.
“Yeah,he never really stops.”
Sippingmy overly sweet alcoholic drink, I ask Zoe, “How is Landon doing?” Her husbandhas a genetic disease that prevents him from being out in the sun. I’ve onlyseen him outside once when we all went to play paintball, and he had to wear abulky suit that looked like it was stolen from the Outbreak movie.
“He’sgood. He just got a new protective suit that doesn’t make him look like aTeletubby. It looks kind of sexy, actually, like an aviator jumpsuit…until heputs the hood and faceplate on.” She leans back in her seat.
“Whatabout you?” Sadie asks, grinning at me. “Any guys on your radar?”
“No,but I swear I’m going to find a fuck buddy or something because it has been toodamn long.”
Aydasnorts. “I can just see Dare’s reaction now.”
“Whichis why I have to move. You know I love you guys, but I can’t have a life withmy brother breathing down my neck.”
Aydanods, her gaze filled with sympathy. “He means well, but you’re right. I’ll tryto talk some sense into him.”
Sighing,I down the rest of my drink. “I know he does, and I don’t want to soundungrateful after all he’s done for me, but I can’t live under his thumbforever.” I hesitate before adding. “He’s not going to like it when he findsout I’m not looking for a career in social work just yet.”
“Youhave other plans?” Sadie asks.
“I’mwriting a book,” I blurt. I was going to keep it to myself for a while, but Ireally wanted to tell someone. And hopefully have one of my friends tell meit’s not completely crazy.
Allthree women share a look of surprise, but Zoe is the first to speak up. “What’sit about?”
“Overcomingabuse and going on to lead a normal life. When I was in therapy, writing is whatreally helped me sort through everything. I have a ton of journals to drawfrom.”
“Ithink that’s an amazing idea,” Ayda exclaims.
“Ihave a friend who is in publishing if you’d like me to introduce you when it’sfinished,” Sadie offers.
God,I love these girls. I’ve never really had close girlfriends before. “That wouldbe great, but I have a long way to go before I get to that point.”
Wespend the next hour laughing and talking until Justus pulls up to pick upSadie. He leans down to peer at me from the car window. “Happy Birthday, Leah!I’m bringing some friends, so don’t worry. There will totally be strippers atyour party tonight.”
“Sadie…”
Sadieholds up her hand. “I’ve got it handled. No strippers. See you tonight,” shelaughs, hopping in the car. I hear him grumble something likeno fun,and then they’re off.
Zoe,Ayda, and I say our goodbyes and head our separate ways.
* * * *
“Happybirthday, critter.” Derek hooks an arm around my neck and walks me toward theroaring fire. “What’s this Ayda is telling me about you writing a book?”
Herewe go. If he thought my dropping out of college was a bad idea, I can’t imaginewhat he’ll say to my next plan.
