Page 42 of The Yes Factor

“Deal. Look, I gotta go. Jasmine’s probably already left for the club.”

“Jasmine. Well, she doesn’t live up to her name. Not sure there’s anything sweet about her. Be careful with that pack of she-wolves. Watch out for yourself.”

Chloe surprises me with a quick hug. “I’m my own pack. I’ll be okay.”

She slips out of the bathroom like a ghost into the night. I feel a pang deep inside and wish that she were my daughter. That I could prevent life’s ugliness from hurting her. But, if I’ve learned anything these last few days, it’s that my meddling only makes things more of a mess. Chloe’s already out in the ugly world, and I trust that she’ll be fine.

Chapter Fourteen

Detox/Retox

BEX

As we back out of the driveway, a wave of relief washes over me. This cloudless, picture perfect, seventy and sunny day is not about dates or men, it’s about Liv and me. I said I was going off the grid, and I meant it in more ways than one. I wanna get out of the city for a day and get into what’s going on with Liv.

The tension from last night is still buzzing between us but at a lower frequency, and I can’t think of a better way to dissipate it than a day at Sunny Dale Hot Springs. It may not be the most glamorous spa in the world but they do serve alcohol. Need I say more?

Sitting in somewhat un-companionable silence, listening to the radio with the windows cracked in the sweltering heat, we’re ten minutes into an hour-and-a-half drive when my phone rings. Liv reaches to grab it since I’m driving, but I quickly spit, “Don’t touch that,” and she snaps her hand back into her lap. I deflate with remorse, I know she was just trying to help. I relent. “Fine. Just look and see who it is. No app surfing!”

Liv jumps at the chance to make amends. “The number doesn’t have a name attached. But it’s a three one zero area code. Should I answer it?”

I’m puzzled because I don’t get many random calls. However, I do have a kid and when you have a kid, you pick up the phone.

“Yeah, answer it. But put it on speaker,” I tell her after the fourth ring. “Hello?” I say, concern edging my voice. Liv hears my tone and stares at me intently while chewing on her bottom lip.

“Hey! Is this Bex? How are you?” says a male voice which sounds familiar, although I can’t quite place it. I look over at Liv and give her a questioning shrug. She shrugs back.

I proceed with caution. “Yes, this is Bex. I’m sorry, I don’t have your number saved in my phone. Who is this?”

“You don’t remember me? This is Brandon from The Vacancy!” I look at Liv, my eyes not blinking, my heart racing in a fight-or-flight reflex. He charges on, “So, hey, I’ve been thinking of you nonstop since the other night and was wondering if you want to go up to Big Bear next weekend with me. I rented a cabin. It’ll be fun!”

My mouth is frozen as I try to gather my thoughts, which are spinning like a Tilt-A-Whirl. Should I play nice and kick the can down the road? Or just tell him the truth, however harsh it is? I’m so over all of this. I take a deep breath and decide on honesty. Let’s just rip off the Band-Aid, which is what I should have done at the end of our so-called date.

“Brandon, thank you so much for inviting me, but I just don’t think that you and I are the right fit.” I sound like a Hollywood agent. Out of the corner of my eye, I see that Liv is nodding vigorously for me to continue on this course. “I wish you all the best. You’re a really nice guy.”

As Brandon drones on and on about his disappointment and how he thought what we had was real, I tune him out as his tone becomes more desperate. Is he going to start weeping again? I can’t help myself and rudely cut him off, losing patience as the words rush out. “Okay, Brandon, thanks for calling. Bye!”

Liv instantly blurts out, “Oh my God, what a weirdo! I’m blocking him from your phone.” On instinct she reaches for my phone in the cupholder but I beat her to it. She looks at me. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry about everything. I over-stepped and I know I’ve made mistakes in trying to help.”

Feeling somber, I keep my eyes on the road. “See what I’m dealing with? This is the landscape of dating. It’s crazy apps and crazy guys. I know you were just trying to help, but you pushed too hard. You flew out here with these grand plans, that The Yes Factor was the key to it all, but this is the reality of the situation.” My voice drops to nearly a whisper and I feel tears spring in my eyes. “But it’s not all on you. I’m such a mess that I couldn’t even ask that Devon guy for his number. That was organic. That was exactly the way I want to meet someone and…I messed it up and ran off like an idiot.

“I didn’t tell you this, but I actually saw him on Tinder, the night you called me about Francois. I saw him and I thought, that guy looks like a perfect match for me, and then I swiped the wrong way, and lost my chance. Seeing him again felt like kismet, but I botched that too. I just can’t seem to…”

“Bex, it’s gonna be—”

“No!” I interrupt her brusquely, blinking the tears back and focusing on the road. “You know what? I don’t want to talk about me or any of this bullshit.” My tone softens. “I forgive you. But, can we please change the subject and talk about you? I feel like you’ve only revealed the tip of the iceberg yesterday when you told me about Ethan.” I take a quick glance at her and she’s practically turned her back to me looking at the roadside mini-malls like they’re the most interesting thing she’s ever seen. I give her a gentle nudge. “Liv, hello? I know you don’t have Ross Dress For Less in London but I promise you, it’s not worth a pit stop.”

She swivels around to face front once more. “I think I need a big glass of wine and a spa soak before I can talk about the Titanic that is my marriage.” I nod, understanding her completely.

“That’s fine. Put on some tunes then, will ya? This is a road trip after all.” I try to sound cheery.

When Liv puts on Bonnie Raitt, “I Can’t Make You Love Me,” I know we’re in for a real doozy of a conversation. I wonder if we can order wine by the bottle and Uber back?

* * *

“This place is absolute Heaven. How have I not been here before?”

Liv and I are sprawled out on plastic recliners, covered in mud from head to toe. She takes a sip of her Sauvignon Blanc, which she’s loaded with ice, and closes her eyes.

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