“He’s just not thinking. I’m not built like him, though. A kissmeanssomething to me.” I switch on the tap and start attacking the first plate like it stole my husband. “I’ve never been the type to just indiscriminately sleep with any guy who comes along.” I fling my hand out, throwing bubbles into the air and not caring.
The second plate gets the same treatment as the first, followed by the bread plate and spaghetti pot as I mumble to myself. When I’m done, I smack the tap off and turn to Nelly with both wet hands propped on my hips.
“But why not? My fortieth birthday is the day after tomorrow! I’m not a teenager or some innocent twenty-something!” Nelly lifts only his eyes, giving me a pathetic puppy look, so I plop my butt on the floor, crossing my legs so I can deliver some good pets and scratches.
Naturally, my voice changes, since talking to an animal at such close range demands a tone reserved specifically for babies and pets. Anyone who doesn’t use that tone is highly suspect, in my opinion. “I am a grown-ass woman with grown-ass needs, Nelly. I can decide for myself if it means something or not.Sometimes it’s healthy to let it be what it is and not fight it, right?”
Nelly sighs and presses his head into my hand. “Yeah, you’re right. I can let a kiss—or even sex—be just for fun.” I boop his nose. “Not that I’ll let it go that far with your daddy, so don’t worry.”
My phone vibrates on the counter, so I hop to my feet to grab it. Josie Mae’s name lights up the screen.
“Hey, what’s up?” I ask.
“You free for a beer?
“Uh oh. Not even a hello. Must be bad.” When her only response is a mirthless laugh, I ask, “Knockin’ Boots in thirty?” That’ll give me enough time for a quick shower. Besides, it’s in the best interests of my sanity to avoid Dallas for the rest of the night.
“Meet you there. And prepare to get a ride home. We’re drinkin’ tonight.”
“So, he’s at Jeremy’s?” I ask Jo forty minutes later. The crowd is sparse tonight, and the music from the overhead speakers is set on low.
When I got here, she was already halfway through her first vodka cranberry and ready to unload. Turns out she and her oldest kid, Tad, got into it and he ran off to daddy. I love the kid, but he’s got a lot of growing up to do.
“Yup. And Sophie is already making plans to take over his room and redecorate. She says she needs it for her clothes and makeup.”
This makes me laugh. Sophie is such a quintessential girls’ girl, just like her mom. But I know Jo needs my support, so I don’t hesitate to chime in. “I think it’s perfectly reasonable to ask your twenty-two-year-old kid to pay rent if he wants to still live at home and eat your food.” I sip my beer and nod at my friend in solidarity.
“Thank you!” She throws both hands out, narrowly missing her now-empty glass on the tabletop. “When I was twenty-two, I had a job, a four-year-old, and another on the way while I was finishing my degree online. Tad has a YouTube channel and an addiction to cheese puffs, and not a whole lot else. It’s time.”
“Agreed. If Jeremy wants to let him live at his place for free, though, I’m afraid you really can’t do much about it.”
“Jeremy is essentially a forty-year-old child himself, so I’m sure they’ll bond over being butt hurt by the big bad witch.”
“I prefer to think of you as the good witch,” Norinne says as she approaches and sets two fresh drinks on the table. I take a good swig from my current bottle. I need to catch up.
“Black really isn’t my color.” Josie Mae scrunches her nose at Norinne. “And neither is green, come to think of it.”
“I’m sorry, Jo,” I say once Norinne leaves. “Tad’ll be back, but I know you’re going to miss him, even if he drives you crazy sometimes.”
“I know. What can I say? I love the snot out of that kid.” She takes a pull on her straw and shrugs. “I really only want to do what’s best for him.”
“And that’s what makes you a great parent.”
Jo straightens in her chair and starts playing with her straw. “Speaking of great parents, how is Dallas?” I should have known this was coming.
I don’t respond at first, preferring to suck down a little more liquid courage. “Is it ever weird for you to see Dallas around town?” I finally ask.
“How so?”
“I mean, surely there’s been a time or two when you’ve spotted him and thought for a second he was Houston, right?” They are identical twins, after all. Although it’s easy for those who know them to tell them apart.
“I guess.” She shrugs and lifts her glass for another sip.
“And that’s not weird?”
“Shelby.” She eyes me squarely. “Houston and I dated inhigh school. That was a different lifetime.”
“I know. I’m being stupid.” I shake my head. “Maybe I’m feeling nostalgic.”
