No wonder he was all smiles when he saw me at the party. I had just texted him that I accepted his apology for calling us the Fake Four!
But how did he get my number? And why wouldn’t he identify himself?
Weird.
My hands are shaking when I go to change his contact name fromLocketoLeo, rereading our last conversation and realizing he was the one who warned me Coach was looking for me. But before I hitSAVE, I stop. Charlie will have my phone tomorrow. He thinks Locke is the one who texted me earlier because that’s who I thought it was. And the last thing I want to deal with is hearing how I shouldn’t be fraternizing with the enemy, which will definitely happen if Charlie snoops through my phone or if Leo texts me while he has it. So I change the contact name to a capitalL.
And now I think about how to respond in a way where I get my questions answered but don’t look like an idiot.
ME:It’s a deal. And also curious, how’d you get my number?
Okay, so not very subtle.
L:I’ve had it for years. Back from when Nonna did that big group text freshman year with those pics of us from when we were kids.
L:I’m just now realizing you didn’t save my number back then like I saved yours
L:Feeling super cool right about now
There’s a smile bursting across my face. Bursting.
ME:I probably did but I lost my phone last year and all my contacts
L:Don’t try to make me feel better!
ME:Okay then you’re right I totally didn’t save your number
L:Okay never mind I take it back you can lie to me
I laugh out loud and then want to pull the sheet over my face because I’m embarrassed for myself.
ME:We’re starting over. But these are the off limit topics: MJ, JL, Evil Joes, Maggie Mae, Charlie, Sophie, Wes, Fab Four, Fake Four and why I’m at the golf course. These terms are non negotiable
Mainly, I’m trying to stop future Leo from saying something about Charlie to Charlie tomorrow.
L:Those words have been stricken from my vocabulary
As much as I hate it, I delete the messages that mention any of the now-taboo names or give any hint that this is Leo instead of Locke. I’ve just gotten our conversation all cleaned up when a few more messages come in from him.
L:Don’t forget sunblock this time
L:Hydrate too it’s gonna be hot
ME:Thanks for all the tips. Good luck tomorrow!
Honestly, good luck to us both, because we’re both going to need it.
Charlie drags in at the last possible moment. I have no idea whattime he and Sophie and Wes got home last night. I was out the second my head hit the pillow, despite being a little keyed up from the Uber ride home and the texts from Leo, but when I woke up this morning, Sophie was asleep in the bed next to me.
I wish she didn’t have plans with her mom today, because Sophie handled my mom like a champ, even if she overdid it a bit. I looked back through the texts and Sophie made me soundvery happy!!But Mom loved it and commented several times that she was glad I was havingsuch a great day!!
But since today it’s back to Charlie being me again, I feel sure we’re going to get busted by lunch.
Charlie walked right in, handed me his phone, then crashed on the couch like last time. I set an alarm on mine before leaving it on the floor next to him to make sure he doesn’t oversleep. Okay, so I actually set three alarms. Ten minutes apart. He’s going to be thrilled.
Whatever cream Nonna gave Sophie last night worked wonders, since I’m a lighter shade of red and pain-free. I slathered a ton of sunblock on and plan to reapply every two hours.
Choosing my most upbeat playlist, I crank the music up so loud I can’t think about any of the things that could go wrong today. I’m trying to get my mind right. It’s going to be hot without a cloud in sight if my weather app is to be trusted. And from the schedule I found on the tournament website, it’s also going to be a long day. I cast a glance at the bag in the passenger seat that has my western-themed outfit and boots. There’s probably no chance I can leave, if yesterday’s attempt is any indication. But I’m hopeful!
