“You sure?” Gram asked. “Maybe Harper’s got big plans later.”
“No plans,” I piped in.
“And why is that?” Gram asked. “Home for the first time in months, and your cousins aren’t breaking down your door?”
“She’s hiding out,” Mom informed her.
“I am not.”
“Why the hell would you do that?” Gram asked over her shoulder.
“I’m not hiding out.”
“You are the definition of hiding out,” my mom countered. “I’m surprised you’re not wearing a fake mustache stuck to your glasses.”
“It would clash with my dress,” I ground out.
“Oh, for God’s sake, Harper,” Gram said with a scoff. “Everyone’s kissed someone they shouldn’t have. Grow a pair.”
My jaw dropped open in surprise. “How the hell did you hear about it?” I sputtered.
“I’m old, but my hearing is just fine.”
“It was less than twelve hours ago!”
“There are these things called telephones. They work great.”
“Who told you?”
“None of your business,” she replied with a laugh. “Who cares, kid? So, you kissed Bas. I don’t blame you. Once that boy took all of the piercings out of his face, he could’ve left the club for a damn modeling career. Not that I’ve got a problem with piercings. But his were too much. Talk about hiding your light under a bushel, or piercings.”
“I was glad when he started getting rid of them,” my mom added quietly. “It seemed like the happier he got, the less there were.”
“Noticed that, too,” Gram murmured. Then she turned her head toward me again. “It’s not like he has an old lady you need to worry about.”
“Mom,” my mother said, her voice low.
“Well, he doesn’t.”
“He’s got Lou,” I reminded my Gram, even though I knew she was well aware ofallthe club dynamics.
“Oh, please,” she said, shaking her head. “If he wanted to, he would. If they haven’t figured out what they are by now, they never will.”
“You’re telling her to basically horn in on someone else’s…something. Hell, I don’t know what they are.”
“Exactly.” Gram pulled the shade down and used the mirror to check her lipstick.
“Why the hell would she want to deal with a bunch of drama?” Mom asked.
“Who says it’ll be drama?”
“Well, considering that everyone knows already, I’d say the drama already found me,” I cut in. “This has been an illuminating conversation, but can we talk about something else?”
“Sure,” Gram said as we pulled onto the highway. “I hear you got fired.”
I dropped my head back against the seat in defeat.
***
