“Are you home?” I could get together with her tomorrow since I was leaving after the parade.
Unless Tenor asked me to stay longer.
“Actually, no. Daniel and I want to tackle the Pacific Crest Trail.”
“Oh, wow. Isn’t that the one from that movie?”
“Yes.” Mom’s voice pitched up. “It’s going to be epic. Just me and Daniel. If we come out of this still talking, it’s going to be amazing.”
Since Mom usually went on long trips just to shake a partner, it would be amazing. I wouldn’t worry about rushing home, then. “Well, be safe.”
“Did your dad get ahold of you?”
“Yeah. He wants to meet for some tennis.”
“He called me too, and I told him you’re seeing someone.”
I grimaced. “How’d he take it?”
“A little upset, but I didn’t give him any details. Told him it was new and you weren’t talking about much. I didn’t even tell him you’re spending a lot of time in Bourbon Canyon.”
“Thank you.” Dad was hard on the guys I dated. He said he knew what he’d been like and didn’t trust them with his daughter.
When I’d started dating my first boyfriend in college, Dad had somehow known about the guy’s juvenile record. He acted like I’d been writing the guy in prison and jumped him as soon as he got released. Before he’d met Brock, Dad had told me Brock’s parents were in financial trouble with their company and I’d better not marry him. The first time I’d gone out with Brock after a “break,” Dad had asked if I wanted him to slash Brock’s tires.
Sometimes, he could be a really good dad. Sometimes.
“He’s trying to recruit me for a doubles game,” Mom said. “Wants to meet your new man.”
Crap. Mom tempered Dad. He was on his best behavior around her. But there was no new man. “He wants to smear my new man’s face all over the tennis court.” I let out a long breath. How did I work around this? I needed to start laying the groundwork. If all else failed, I’d tell Mom the real story and she could help me fend off Dad. “If you’re going to be along, then I’ll ask Tenor if he’s up for it, but he’s pretty busy.”
So busy, and then it’d be too late. We’d have broken up. I’d make sure to sound regretful when I broke the news to my parents.
“Daniel and I won’t be back until the end of the month. Any time after that.”
I’d have plenty of time to come up with an innocuous reason why we hadn’t worked out. Dad might still demand to know who my guy had been, but I’d deal with that later. “Okay.”
“Sounds good, peanut. Happy Fourth!”
I slipped out of the alley. The beginning of the parade was approaching my group.
My group.
I loved hearing from Mom, but today, her call was a reminder that while she loved me, I wasn’t who she wanted to hang out with. Not unless I got a pair of hiking shoes and could keep up with her. I had tried once. I’d sworn I had developed asthma and couldn’t finish without an inhaler. Then I’d been convinced I’d had altitude sickness. It was why I was never invited now.
I tucked my phone away, glad not to be home alone while Mom and her boyfriend of the month ran off. Drums from the high school’s band filled the air. I stayed standing with everyone else until the flag passed, then I sat.
“How’s your mom?” Tenor asked. Elliot was back on Jonah’s lap and snoozing through the band.
“Planning an even bigger hiking trip.”
His mouth quirked. “Living the dream, huh?”
“Now that she’s able to.” I waved to Summer from where she was perched on the Copper Summit float by a set of mini silver stills. Copper-colored fringe lined the trailer bed. Jenna tossed out special gummy candies that looked like tiny bottles of bourbon. Teller drove the pickup, lifting his hand every few feet to wave.
I snapped photos of the float, the candy, and the people. I caught Teller in a wave, Jenna midthrow, and Summer among the stills. With the movement, I was grateful I had a phone. Wynter and I had discussed always using a phone instead of calling on my rudimentary photography skills. Polished authenticity. I hoped I could use some of these to show how amazing the brand was, even with some of the shine.
In fact, I preferred it without the gloss. The Bailey family and their employees were pretty damn spectacular all on their own. They were the reason for the high-quality product.
