Nodding at the driver, he reaches to open my door when a woman bursts out onto the sidewalk from the locked lobby entrance.
Auburn hair tossing wildly about, Britney shouts, “Wait! Corey!”
“Britney? Where is Bex?”
The polite thing would have been to ask if she was okay, especially as she comes to a stop in front of me, bending at the waist, her hands on her thighs, coughing while desperately trying to catch her breath.
“Miss, do you need water? I have some bottles in—”
Britney waves off the driver and stands, still panting. “She’s not here.”
I ball my hands into fists to control the outburst that’s threatening on the tip of my tongue. “Where is she?”
“At the youth center. Someone broke in earlier this week, stole the new printer, other stuff. I don’t know. But she’s there now because the cops called saying they caught someone,” Britney pants.
“So, why is Bex there? And why hasn’t she been answering her phone?”
“Oh, the phone thing is totally my fault. I dropped hers in a fountain. And she doesn’t have enough money to get a new one, so she’s got this weird burner flip-phone—”
“Okay, that’s… fine. Why is she at the youth center? Why aren’t the cops handling this?” I’m fully aware I sound like a prick, demanding answers, but I’ve been a man starved the last few days.
Britney shrugs. “Something to do with the kid they caught.”
Dammit. Bex loves those kids, and she does her best to provide them with an outlet for their creativity, as well as a safe space to spend their free time. There’s a tug in my chest and the tiniest flutter of jealousy. Of course, she would choose those kids over… being my date to the porn awards.
I’ve never felt quite so unworthy in my life as I do right now.
“Thanks, Britney,” I say, as the reality of this evening crashes over me. As I turn to slide into the limo, she grabs my arm.
“Corey, wait.”
I pause, but keep my gaze to the ground. There’s a sting of emotion behind my eyes and, while I don’t think I’ll actually cry, I don’t want Britney to see the mess of emotions on my face. The ones I’ve successfully kept bottled up and pushed away this entire week.
“She’s meeting you there.”
The spark in my chest reignites at her words. Snapping my gaze to her, she appears a bit fuzzy. “What?”
“Aw, oh my god, Corey. Are you crying? That’s honestly so sweet—”
“I’m not crying,” I say, the lie tasting dry on my tongue. “It’s the heat. You said she’s still coming?”
“Yes. She left here like, fifteen minutes ago, all dressed up and in a panic.”
I rub the not-tear fuzzies out of my eye and fix Britney with a look. “You could have led with that.”
She shrugs. “I love telling a dramatic story, don’t you?”
“Should I just… go pick her up at theyouth center?”
Britney shakes her head. “I’m not sure how long she’ll take, and I know she would never forgive either of us if you missed getting that award.” Britney gives me a knowing wink, and I actually chuckle. The laughter feels warm and light in my chest, something that’s been vacant for days.
“Okay. I guess I’ll just…”
“Go!” Britney laughs and gives me a playful shove toward the door.
“Thanks, Brit,” I say, giving her a smile before sliding back into the limo.
“You have to earn that nickname!” she shouts at the shut door. I can’t help but laugh louder, feeling lighter and more hopeful than I ever could have imagined.
