I cough out a laugh. He’s making it difficult to regret my actions. “No, I don’t. I’m sorry about that. I should have said sorry before.” I feel so unsure. I feel embarrassed. But sorry? I can’t decide if I feel sorry. I should, but I don’t think I do. The man kissed me back. But if he’s pining for another girl… I pull in a nervous breath. “Your team was chanting and?—”
“I know. They’re idiots.”
“And you were standing there?—”
“Fran, I?—”
“And you had kissed me before. So, I thought—” I shrug, picking up my feet again. We’ll have to turn around soon. “I’m not sure what I thought. Just?—”
“It’s fine. You were under pressure.”
I peer out at the busy street. “I was. I’ve never really cared about others’ opinions though. So I’m not sure why I gave in.” Then again, maybe I do know. Because I might have wanted a repeat of that night at the bar. I’ve been creatingromcom remakes for over a year now. And then one fell right into my lap. It knocked on my door. It was exciting and fun. It was spontaneous and romantic. It came to me without one minute of planning. And I wanted more.
“I don’t want you to worry about it. I guess you can say we’re even now.” He grins at me—that stupidly sweet grin. It’s a grin that makes me brave. It makes me believe that this new friend of mine might be able to help me.
“Callum, do you think you could give me a hand with something?”
“Maybe. What do you need help with?”
I study him, weighing his reaction. “I have a date next week, and I need to do some planning.”
Seventeen
My family chatpings from my cell seated in my cup holder. “Hey, Siri, read messages,” I tell my Ford Bronco.
A female robotic voice booms over my speakers. “New Message from: Mom.”
Mom: You’re going into the city again?
Asher: Is Reno really a city? It’s a gambling town, an entertainment hub.
Kailey: Shut up, Ash. We all know you’re in college. Awesome, you’re acing Urban Sociology. Let’s move on.
Mom: K, be nice to your brother.
Mom: Callum? You there?
I can’t make my family wait long. Not after five months with Simone that led to barely commenting in the family chat, and only two visits. So, I ask Siri to write my message for me and keep both hands on the wheel.
I won’t ghost them ever again like that.
Me: Going to see a friend.
Mom: What kind of friend?
Tiff: It’s a girl. I know it’s a girl. He always says it cryptically and weird when he’s seeing a girl.
Asher: A new girl? Already. We just got rid of the last one.
Mom: Be nice, Ash. We just want you to be happy, Callum. The only reason we may have slightly disapproved of Simone is because we saw your natural light diminish. We promise to be nice (I’m talking to you, Ash!!).
Asher: Slightly disapproved? I more than slightly disapproved.
Tiff: When Simone dumped him, Mom said she was going to hunt that girl down and chop all her hair off in the night. The only reason she didn’t is because Dad hid the car keys.
Mom: Tiffany Lynn, I never said that! I just knew she had given up the best thing she’d ever have in her life, and I might have wanted to tell her what an idiot she was.
Kailey: Mom also praised the heavens right then and there that we were rid of the girl. It was a very confusing time…
