Page 17 of Sunset

I walk into the house, and Mom is up waiting on me. With her reading glasses perched low on her nose, as she reads her book on the couch.

“How was your date?” She asks.

“Horrible,” I say and collapse on the couch beside her, stretching my legs out in front of me.

“Serves you right.” She nods.

“Not even going to ask me why it was horrible?” I ask.

She gives me a look, like she knows exactly why it was so bad, and then sighs.

“Why was it horrible?” She asks, but I know it’s only because I told her, too.

“Because she was so fake, and then Brynn walked in, and I could tell she was hurt, and she left and went to Lin’s. I haven’t been able to talk to her.”

Mom is so quick I don’t even see her move, until she’s hitting me with her book.

“You’re an even bigger idiot than your father!” She yells at me, but she doesn’t raise her voice. How she does that, I will never know. I guess, it’s a mom thing.

“What?” I ask her.

“I got tired of waiting for your father to ask me out on a date. So, when a guy from the football team asked me, I said yes. We went on one date, and then went to homecoming together. Your father was so upset I went on a date with someone else that instead of asking me out, when I broke up with the other guy, he went out with another girl for three months. By the time they broke up, I was dating someone else, and was as angry as a hornet in a cake can and over him.”

“I don’t remember this part of the story,” I tell her.

“It’s not our finest moment. I broke up with the other guy at the end of the school year. All summer your dad tried to get me to go out with him, but I was angry and hurt. He spent all summer making it up to me and all senior year too, and I finally agreed to be his prom date with the understanding he wasn’t getting any that night.” Mom winks at me.

“Ugh, gross, Mom. I don’t need bedroom details.” I cringe.

My parents were always like this. They overshared their relationships. I know they were each other’s first and only, something that while cute, a kid should never know about their parents.

“Well, tough, so here’s another for you. Had he sucked it up junior year and asked me out after homecoming, we could have been dating all that time, and he would have gotten some at prom. A fact I reminded him of his whole life.”

“Ugh.” I stand up, heading to the minibar at the back of the room and pouring myself a whiskey.

“You know, we never know how long we have with someone. That extra year together would have been nice knowing he was going to pass so soon.” She says much more seriously. “Brynn’s parents were lucky to go together. You don’t know what the future holds, or how much time you have, Jasper. Stop playing games and grow a set of balls, son.”

“Okay, Mom, time for bed. Me and my balls are going to my room.” I lean over and give her a kiss, before heading to my room to do some thinking.

I know going on the date tonight wasn’t a good idea. I made a rule a long time ago not to date tourists. Mostly, because they just want a vacation fling, and also because if we do hit it off, then you have to deal with the long-distance part, and I’m not a fan of that.

So, I know I need to hold to my rule again. No more tourists.

Then, Brynn’s face tonight passes through my mind. Paired with Mom’s story. Did I just put up the final wall that will keep us apart? Do I want another chance with her?

Without any hesitation, yes, I want another chance.

So, where do I go from here?

I know I’m going to need to help, so my first thought is to go talk to Lin before I even think about approaching Brynn. I’ve talked to her here and there. We’ve passed each other at the graveyard, visiting our parents. One time I helped set up for her summer employees’ orientation when I found her upset about Kade.

That day I sent her off The Island to take a break and had Brynn fill in for her. She wasn’t happy I talked to Lin, but she forgets we all used to be friends. So, I know I will need Lin on my side, if I want a second chance with Brynn.

Then, like I conjured her up from thin air, my phone rings, and Brynn’s name flashes across my screen.

“Hey, I was just thinking about you,” I answer.

“Hey, yourself. Listen, I need your help, and it’s not for me, it’s for Lin.” She says, but her tone isn’t very happy.

---