I’m afraid you’ll have to handle this one alone. Think of me while you do it?
Lex
Always.
Deciding it’s enough slex talk over family dinner, I wish him good night and settle my phone face down, ready to keep my attention focused on the people around me.
About twenty minutes later, my mom and I are in the kitchen, finishing the dishes while the others are in the living room.
“So, who is he?” she asks out of the blue.
“What? Who?”
“That boy you’re seeing.”
“I’m—I’m not—”
“Oh, please. You’ve been blushing and giggling at your phone all evening long. I see teenagers do this every day. I know what it means.”
Shit, busted …
“Uh… his name is Lex. Alexander. And he isn’t a ‘boy.’”
“Don’t get sassy on me. For how long have you been seeing him?”
“Almost a month.”
“It’s a good start. Is he husband material?”
I laugh, both shocked and amused by her boldness. “Mom, slow down. I’m still trying to figure out if he’s boyfriend material.”
“Hmm… Is he handsome? Will my grandkids be gorgeous?”
“¡Por Dios, mamá!” I protest.
“Alright, alright. I’ll stop.”
The silence stretches, with only the sounds of the dishes distracting us. She probably has dozens of questions, but she holds back. “Could you not tell Dad?” I ask, not wanting the news to spread too fast. She nods, handing me a pan to dry.
Once we’re done, I head upstairs to my room and fish my phone out of my pocket. There’s only one person I know who has the potential to help Kate, and I hope he’ll be able to do it.
“What’s up, Hulkette?” Oli greets when he picks up.
“Hi, son of Jared. I need a favor. It’s a bit tricky, so I’m just gonna go ahead and ask.”
“Yeah, sure. I hope everything’s fine,” he says with slight worry.
“For me, yes. It’s my best friend, Kate.”
“What’s going on?”
“Well, her ex is a fucking prick, is what’s going on. He’s got footage of her he’s taken without her consent, and he’s now threatening to leak it unless she gets back with him.”
“Ouch, okay. That’s fucked up.”
“Yeah, I know. And I’m so worried he’ll actually do it, Oli,” I explain, sitting on my bed and grabbing my plush armadillo to hug it tightly.
“Do you want me to… take care of it?”
