Chapter 13
Josie
“Mia!” I screamed as I stomped down the hallway towards her bedroom.
I didn’t care if she was having a nap, hell, I didn’t give a flying fuck if she was banging Derek’s brains out in there. She’d screwed me over agreeing to this ridiculous date on my behalf, the least she could do was help me figure out what the fuck I was supposed to wear.
To say I was a little on edge was the understatement of the century.
“You better be dressed in there!” Throwing open the door, I was more than a little surprised to see Derek snoring in nothing but a pair of low hanging track suit pants, while Mia had her black-rimmed glasses perched on the end of her nose and a pile of papers in her hand.
“Shhh!”
“Sorry.”
Now I felt guilty. I wanted to be annoyed at them for getting me into this ridiculous situation, but they both looked completely buggered. Mia carefully edged her way off the bed and ushered me out the door.
Once we were in the hallway, and Derek was behind closed doors sleeping innocently, Mia turned on me. “Now, wanna tell me what all the drama is about?”
Did I? No, not really. It seemed so silly now. It was just an outfit and I was a big girl. Surely I could find something to wear in my own closet. The problem was Mia knew me too damn well, and she knew I was stalling. Instead of calling me out on my bullshit, she grabbed my arm and half carried, half dragged me towards my room before shoving me sending me flailing onto my bed with a bounce. I couldn’t stifle the giggle as I thanked the heavens that Matilda was down for her nap at the moment. Her new favourite thing in the world to do, other than tell me ‘no’ every second of the day, was to bounce on the bed. I didn’t need her seeing me doing exactly that.
“Right! What are you wearing?”
“I-I don’t know.”
Stuffing my head under a pillow, I groaned miserably. This is why I didn’t date. Too much hassle. Too much stress. It was easier my way. Sure, it might be lonely sometimes, and my battery operated boyfriend may get more use than recommended, but at least I didn’t have to worry over how to do my hair or how much makeup was needed versus how much was necessary.
Mia rolled her eyes dramatically. I knew I frustrated the shit out of her sometimes, probably more than that really, but I couldn’t help it. I wasn’t strong like she was. Maybe I used to be, but that girl was long gone, replaced by a cynical single mother.
I watched silently as she dug through my closet, tossing the rejected items in piles over her shoulders. When she was finished, every item of clothing I owned was piled on the floor. “Okay, here’s what you’re going to do. Go! Have a shower and wash your hair. When you’re out I’ll braid it in two braids so it will still be somewhat comfortable under the helmet.”
“Oh. Helmet.”
“You forgot about that part, didn’t you?”
“Maybe.”
“Josie! Come on. Get it together. Are you not even a little bit excited about going out with Nate?”
I shrugged. I didn’t know how to answer that. Shit scared was a better description. The urge to cancel the whole stupid thing was overwhelming, but I knew Mia wouldn’t allow it. I was excited about spending more time with Nate, he seemed like a genuinely nice guy, but I knew it couldn’t go anywhere. What was the point of leading him on? Leading myself on. I couldn’t afford to get my hopes up. No good could come of that.
“Nope! Not going to hear it. Shower and dress. You’ve only got an hour!”
“But Matilda?”
“But Matilda nothing. Derek has a very special evening planned for his favourite girl. They’re cooking me dinner and watchingFinding Nemo.He even bought her favourite custard. Don’t worry you’re pretty little head about Matilda. She has a date of her own tonight. With a really hot guy, I might add.” Mia winked as she danced out of my room leaving me standing there like a chump.
Damn it! There goes my last hope of an excuse. The only thing that would get me out of this nightmare was if my Munchkin came down sick. And I couldn’t wish that on her. Could I?
It was ten past five. He was late. He changed his mind. He didn’t want to do this. I didn’t have to go through with it. As relief coursed through my body, I heard the all too familiar rumble of a motorbike coming down the street.
Picking up the blocks at my feet and dragging Matilda back into my lap, I clung to her like she was my lifeline. And she was. She was the reason I got out of bed each day. The reason why no matter how much crap or how hard it all got, she made me smile. With a stupid chubby cheeked grin or an inappropriate giggle she made everything bearable again. Lighter.
“You ready?” Derek asked from his leather recliner.
I couldn’t answer. Suddenly my throat was drier than the Sahara. I swallowed deeply and it felt like I was swallowing razor blades. This was not my idea of fun.
Without a word, Derek clambered out of his chair and scooped Matilda out of my arms, tipping her upside down. “Give Mummy a kiss, Munchkin.” Without hesitation or batting an eyelid, Matilda opened her mouth as wide as it could go and slobbered all over my face. My nose was almost consumed in one go. “Now, Mummy. Get off your ass and go have a good time. You deserve this. Tonight, just this one time, try not to worry about anything. Be young, Josie. Matilda will be fine. I got your girl.”
