Page 36 of Hot Mess

I lowered the phone. “Isaac?”

He looked up from his phone.

“What’s Nick wearing tonight?”

He shrugged. “A tux?”

“You’re no help,” I teased. Returning to my call I repeated Isaac’s words.

“Send pictures!”

My phone started buzzing with a second call.

“Oh hey, Amber, Mom is calling. I’ve got to go.”

“Love you, send pictures.”

I switched the call.

“Hi, Mom.”

“Kayla, I just talked with your uncle and cousins.”

My stomach lurched. I hadn’t wanted them to know I was here. She never spoke to Uncle Dave very much, so I figured I had time. I didn’t know what to expect from my cousins, honestly, they would probably just leave me alone. But this would be easier if they didn’t know I was here.

“You haven’t checked in with them yet. They were very surprised when I told them you were back in Los Angeles.”

“I haven’t had time to do much of anything Mom. I got in late last night. You know that. Did you expect me to roll out of bed and immediately call them? Can’t I get a minute to settle in?”

“Your cousin Jessie was very excited when I told her you were there. She can’t wait to see you again. You need to call her immediately.”

“Mom, I can’t; I have… my job.”

“What do you mean your job? Your boss already has you working? I thought you needed a minute to settle in.”

I hated it when she threw my words back at me. I took a deep breath and thought.

“My new boss is going over some initial things. Paperwork, that kind of stuff. She wanted to get started before she had…” I cast my gaze around the room. I needed an idea, something I could tell Mom to get her off my back.

I flew more than halfway across the country, and she was still controlling me.

“She has an event tonight, and then the weekend, and it’s a timing thing, Mom.”

“Okay, fine. But expect a call from Jessie soon. Okay, Mom. Thanks for the warning—”

“What do you mean, warning?”

“I meant for letting me know. To expect her call. Look, I need to go. I’ll call you later. Okay? Bye.”

I ended the call before she could say anything else.

I held out my phone to Isaac and waved it at him. I covered my face. If this was supposed to be some kind of glamorous adventure, I was failing. Why did it feel like I was always failing?

“Didn't the call go well?” Isaac asked.

“My Mom told my cousin I was here.”

“That’s bad?”

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