Page 93 of The Promise Of Rain
She flushed.“I’d be a better choice than you.”
My heart pumped like a bellows, hollowing out my chest and leaving me cold with every breath.I abhorred confrontation.
Still, I smiled.“I’ll let him know you’re interested.”
“Let’s go, Mary.This was not cool,” her friend said.Eyes skittering up to meet mine, she murmured, “I’m sorry.”
I nodded tightly.
“Don’t apologize to her.She’s nothing but a two-bit—”
Maxine shoved in front of her and crowded her back toward the door like a tiny linebacker.“You don’t want to finish that sentence,” she snarled.
“Well, I never—”
“Who’d have you?”she snapped.“Now, get out.”
Maggie opened the door.“Don’t let the door hit you on the way out.”
With great relish, Maggie closed the door behind them and spun the lock while I pulled out the extra barstool I bought for Saturday afternoons.
I couldn’t think, couldn’t process.
My face burned with a shame that wasn’t mine but clung to me just the same.
“How did you do that?”Maggie asked.
“Do what?”Maxine rounded the counter and grabbed a dinner roll for herself and passed one to Maggie.
“Push her out with your chest like that!”
She pressed her nose to the bread and inhaled deeply.“Oh.”She tilted her head to the side.“Miller and Bax have been coaching the boys in basketball.Gotta post up.”
I stared at her, wide-eyed.
She shrugged, puffed out her chest, and deepened her voice.“Defence.”
Maggie began to laugh, snorting as she covered her mouth.Eyebrows raised, she looked at me with delight written all over her lovely face.
A tension I hadn’t felt in forever built up in my tummy and erupted, throwing my head back as wild laughter cascaded from my lips.
The whole scene played out in my mind.
“Well, I never,” I squeaked, doing my best imitation of the blond.
“Who’d have you?”Maggie wheezed.
Maxine began to chuckle then turned serious.“Proud of you for kicking their skinny asses out.”
My laughter faded, but my smile remained.“Yeah.I heard your voice in my head telling me to have my response ready.”I turned to Maggie.“And your mom’s a baddie.”
Maggie beamed.“Right?”
“You did great,” Maxine praised, giving me a side hug.
“Thanks,” I murmured, then brightened, remembering what I made for them.“I made us a treat!”
“Gimme, gimme.”Maggie wiggled her fingers.
