“If we tell them we’re dating, they’ll be plotting our wedding in no time,” Callan quips.
“Ugh. Don’t even joke.”
He glances at me quickly. “I meant what I said last night. We can forget the whole thing if you want. It’s no big deal.”
Obviously not to him. “I know, but it does have advantages.” I bite on the corner of my lip. “Joe has already called and left messages.” I don’t mention several were left in the middle of the night, and I can only imagine what they said. I deleted them all without listening or replying, and I’m seriously considering blocking him. If he keeps this up, I will.
“I can’t believe you ever went out with that clown.”
“Trust me, I’m questioning it nonstop now.”
Callan slows down as we approach the T-junction.
“Take a left here,” I say, directing him the rest of the way to Gwen’s house.
A sigh cleaves from my lips when I don’t see her at the door. I told her to be ready and waiting. I swear I’ll go nuclear on her ass if she makes me late. My feet have just landed on the sidewalk when the front door opens, and she emerges from the house, slamming the door like it personally offended her. “Hey.” I reel her in for a hug. “How do you feel?” I pull back, studying her face. Faint shadows line the skin under her eyes, and she looks a little pasty.
“Like death warmed up,” she admits, lifting her hair and pulling it into a ponytail. I help her smooth it out as she winds a hair tie around the thick strands. “Mara blowing a gasket didn’t help.”
“Yeah, she wasn’t very happy last night.”
“She went apeshit on my ass. Said if I don’t change my ways, I’m gonna end up just like my junkie whore mom.”
“No.” I gasp. I can’t believe Mara would say something so cruel to her granddaughter. I’m sure Gwen is just paraphrasing, as I can’t imagine those words coming from Mara’s mouth. Gwen’s mom had already had her by this age, and she was full-on addicted to drugs and letting her so-called boyfriend pimp her out on the regular. Gwen is a typical teenage girl who sometimes parties too hard. Comparing them is harsh, but I understand where Mara’s concern comes from.
“I’m so freaking mad. After everything I do for her, all the sacrifices I make, she doesn’t get to speak to me like that. She doesn’t get that I need to let off steam every now and then.”
“Her concern is coming from a good place.”
“I know it is, but she’s so strict on me because of my mom, and that’s not fair. I’m nothing like that selfish bitch.”
“She knows that. She just worries, and she loves you and wants the best for you.”
“Maybe.” She shrugs. “Anyway, enough talking about her.” Gwen pushes past me and pulls herself up into the cab. “Hi, Cal. Thanks so much for picking me up.”
“It’s cool,” he says as I squeeze in beside my friend and shut the door.
“So, what’s going on with you two?” Gwen asks as Callan swings back out onto the road.
“We’ll discuss it later.” I shoot daggers at her with my eyes. “What about you and Scott?”
“We’re dating,” she supplies with the biggest grin. “It might not go anywhere, but he’s fun, and I’m happy to have found a guy with a big cock who knows how to use it.”
“Jesus, Gwen,” I splutter.
“I know, right? Who would’ve thought Scott Saunders is a complete animal in the sack!” she says, misinterpreting me. “I’ve never come so hard or so fast.”
Callan laughs. “It sounded like you were having fun last night.”
Gwen giggles. “Oops, you heard us?”
“Think the entire street heard you,” I say.
“My bad.” She doesn’t sound or look apologetic in any way. “Get this, Scott had a year-long affair with his much-older neighbor while she was going through a divorce. Before she moved out of town, she taught him everything he knows, and trust me, he knows how to do things with his tongue no other guy our age knows.”
“You’re shameless, but it’s one of the reasons I love you.”
“Love you too, bestie.”
