Bringing her to the party might be an epically bad idea. But I have no other options. I call Mandy and tell her all about the party. She listens intently and asks a lot of questions and then says, “Sorry I don’t think I can go. I’ve got a ton of family stuff I have to do over here.”
“But it’s just for the day before Christmas Eve,” I say, hoping it’ll change her mind. “That’s not even an official holiday. We could go there and come back in the same day and take turns driving.”
“Yeah, but that’s the day I’m helping picking up my cousins from the airport. My parents and I all have to go because they can’t fit into one car.”
“There’s going to be hot single motocross guys there,” I say, throwing out my last ditch attempt to win her over. “Keanna swears they’re all super hot.”
Mandy sighs into the phone. “That sounds amazing. I really wish I could go, but my parents would kill me. They’re already pissed that I don’t call them enough when I’m away at college, and they won’t stop talking about how they want me to spend family time with them now that I’m home. It’s annoying as hell.”
I close my eyes and tell her it’s okay. I didn’t really want her to go anyhow, but now I am officially out of options for getting to Jett’s party. Maybe this is the sign I needed, the confirmation from the universe that I am not supposed to be crushing on Clay. I need to keep my distance from him and only see him in a professional working manner. After all, the party is for friends, not coworkers.
Keanna is waiting on an update to see if I can make it, but I can’t bring myself to disappoint her right now, so I decide to tell her later. I busy myself by wrapping the presents I bought for my parents and Mandy, and then I volunteer to make dinner for the family tonight. Only my parents sheepishly tell me they’re going out on a date so they don’t need me to cook for them.
Instead of the pasta I had planned, I just eat a bowl of cereal in front of the TV. I tell myself this boring existence won’t be for long. Next month I’ll be traveling again. I won’t be stuck here forever, and that’s at least something to be proud of. Just a few weeks ago, I had no plans for my future, and now I do.
I smile to myself and wash my cereal bowl before sitting back down on the couch in the living room. When my phone beeps, I know my time is up and I’ll have to tell Keanna that I can’t go to her party. Slowly, I make my way into my room to retrieve the phone and break the bad news to her.
Only her name doesn’t show up on my screen.
Clay:Hey there. It’s good to finally have your phone number.
Holy crap. There are so many ways to interpret those words. Is he being friendly? Flirty? Hinting at something more? What took him so long to reply? I take a deep breath and tell myself to play it cool. I wait ten minutes before I can’t stand it any longer and I type out a reply.
Me:Yep. Thought you should have it since I’m an official intern now.
Clay:You weren’t an official intern before?
Me:I think it was kind of probationary… but I’ve been offered the job for the supercross season so now you’re stuck with me.
I bite my lip, grinning as I send the text. It’s a tad bit flirty. Maybe I’m crossing the line. Maybe I’m being too flirty and he’s going to think it’s annoying. But I have to find out one way or the other. Is there something between us or not?
Clay:Being stuck with you isn’t the worst thing to be. :)
My entire body lights up at his reply. I sit here, heart pounding, goofy grin on my face while I try to think of what to say next. And then he texts me again before I can say anything.
Clay:You gonna hang out with me at Jett’s party?
I could cry if I wasn’t so happy that Clay is flirting with me right now. Now, more than anything, I want to go to this party. But twelve hundred dollars for a flight is ridiculous and it’s more than double what’s in my bank account right now.
Me:Nope, sadly. I can’t afford a plane ticket.
Clay:Don’t you live in Texas? Can’t you drive?
Me:It’s pretty far away and my car is broken. Transmission crapped out and that’s $$$ to fix.
I lay back on the couch, not even paying attention to what’s on the television. I’m so glad my parents aren’t home right now because they’d definitely make fun of me for how giddy I am that I’m finally texting with Clay, and that it’s going well. Well – it’s goingokay. I can’t go to the party and that’s a total let down. Again, I rack my brain trying to think of some magical way to get six and a half hours away. Hitchhiking is a terrible idea… but it’s all that comes to mind. Which means I’ve got nothing.
Several minutes pass before he replies.
Clay:That is the worst news I’ve heard all day.
Me:lol… it’s not a big deal. Maybe I can go next year.
Clay:It is a big deal. The only reason I’m going is to see you.
My heart flutters and my toes get all tingly. If that’s not flirting, I don’t know what is. Clay likes me back.
He likes me back!
