“Capri. ‘Fighter’ by Christina Aguilera.”
“Lake. ‘Girl On Fire’ by Alicia Keys.”
“London. ‘Forever Your Girl’ by Paula Abdul.”
“River. ‘Warrior’ by Demi Lovato.”
“Patience. ‘What Makes You Beautiful’ by One Direction,” I answered.
My song came from Jett, and the ladies had picked up on it. Because he always sang it to me, I couldn’t help but find it endearing.
“Wow, that’s quite the playlist you all have going on,” Dusty said once everyone had finished. “So what do you all have for me?”
We all grouped together, whispering in each other’s ears.
“Why is it so quiet?” Dusty asked.
“We’re huddling—kind of like your hottie quarterback would do just before he made the ultimate play,” Lake told her, causing a roar of laughter.
Dusty groaned. “I’m never gonna live that down, am I?”
“Not a chance!” Alley yelled.
“Okay, break,” Ruby said, clapping her hands together loudly.
“You guys are real hilarious,” our friend on the other end of the line said sarcastically.
“Drum roll, please,” Gemma said.
London made the sound, playing along.
“Our song of choice for you is…” Alley paused for dramatic effect. “‘Confident’ by Demi Lovato.”
As the words left her mouth, the song blared through the speakers in the room. Alley had gotten that dialed in fast.
When the song ended, and the music was turned down, all we heard was silence.
“You there?” Alley asked the woman on the other line.
There was a sniffle, and I noticed all the ladies still.
“You guys are the best. I love that you included me,” Dusty said, obviously a bit choked up.
It was clear she was emotional. We all had been there more times than not, and nobody called her on it.
“You’re one of us,” I chimed in.
Then everyone started jumping back in and resumed conversation, giving Dusty the low down on the pregnancies, the wedding plans, and anything else going on.
“Can we please have dessert now?” Gemma begged after a while.
“I second that!” I shouted.
“I third that!” River yelled.
“Are you sticking around for a movie and dessert?” I asked Dusty. “I can put you on FaceTime.”
“Hell no. I miss you guys, but I miss my sleep more,” she teased.
