“A ball in gym class.” I wiggle it.
“I figured. Do you want some ice or something?”
I shake my head. “It doesn't hurt anymore. The nurse and Apollo fixed me up.”
“Apollo?” Her eyebrows lift. “That’s the boy you were necking with?”
“Necking?” I snort a laugh. “Who says ‘necking’?”
“What are you kids calling it these days?”
“I don’t know. Making out?” I offer. “Wait, you don’t care?”
“Why would I care? I put you on birth control a year ago.”
My mouth falls open. “That was because my period was wonky.”
“Sure, honey. That’s why.” Her smile is patronizing, and she finally puts the rolling pin back.
“What are you even doing?”
“I was going to make dinner.”
“Like a frozen pizza?” I should take over. She can ruin a frozen pizza too. She uses the smoke alarm as a timer.
“Hey, I can cook,” she protests, putting her hands on her hips.
“Want to go to town and get something?” I ask, and she drops her hands.
“I suppose I can cook dinner another day.” She holds her chin up high as she leaves the kitchen. I fight a smile but lose. One way or another, my mom always manages to turn my mood around.
The rest of the school week flies by. Apollo and I have fallen into a routine where he picks me up each morning for school and takes me home at the end of the day. It’s silly because sometimes he’ll take me home only to rush back for rowing practice.
I tried over and over to tell him I can get a ride, but he wasn't hearing it. Even today he was trying to pick me up for the party that’s at his house. Since my mom and I were both invited, there was no need for him to drive here and then back. After some convincing, he finally relented.
He’s been trying to get me to have lunch with him. I don’t know why the lunchroom is such a scary place, but it feels like the lion’s den. The panic of not knowing where to sit or doing something to embarrass myself in front of half the school haunts me. I’m still sneaking out to the library to eat my packed lunch, but now Apollo shows up and pushes his food on to me.
It’s sweet. Actually everything he does is sweet. He hasn't kissed me again, but his eyes always drop to my mouth right before I get out of his car. He never makes a move for some reason, and I wonder if we’ve gone from maybe being something to just being friends. Had I been such a terrible kisser? I’d thought the kiss was perfect, except for the part when my mom showed up.
The only downside I’ve experienced with Apollo and me hanging out so much are the dirty looks I get from some of the other girls. He really has a lot of admirers. It can be a bit hard to deal with because it makes me question myself internally. It also makes me second-guess why he’s with me, even if we’re not together.
“Oh, love that dress on you.” Mom comes to stand behind me, and I smooth my dress with my hands.
It’s a creamy white with sunflowers all over it. The top has thick straps, and it fits tightly enough that I don’t have to wear a bra. It flares out at the waist, which I love because it hides some of my hips. I can be a bit self-conscious about that area, but the dress is really cute and falls a few inches above my knees. I paired it with some strappy sandals because I wanted to look nice. I know it’s a carnival theme, but I’m not sure if this is a date or if he invited me as a friend. This outfit felt safe and didn’t look like I was trying too hard.
“Yours isn’t too bad either.” I turn around and see she’s in a form-fitting dark purple velvet dress. It makes her eyes pop, and she looks sexy. It’s not something she usually wears, but she looks beautiful.
“I thought I would mix it up.”
I don’t know who she thinks she’s fooling, but I know something is up with her. She’s been odd all week. I don’t miss how she’s always keeping her phone close. I know the feeling because I do the same when I’m waiting for a text from Apollo. He’s always sending me messages first thing in the morning and before bed. Every time my phone chimes, excitement bubbles up inside of me.
“I suppose we should go,” I say because I’m ready to see Apollo. I’m so used to seeing him every morning at school, so with it being Saturday, I didn’t get my normal fix. I’m crushing on him way too hard. If he had any idea what I was thinking half the time, he’d be running for the hills.
It wasn't until last night that I put together that the party my mom was talking about us going to was the same one Apollo asked me to attend. It made sense when I thought back on it. Apollo had come into the coffee shop that day with the man who chased after my mom.
I tossed and turned all night after realizing it. The guy I’m falling for is the son of my mom’s next mark. I’m not sure how that will play out for me. I’m tempted to tell my mom to back off this one, but would that be me putting someone else in front of her? A guy, of all people.
“Let me grab my bag.” I watch as she tosses in her tarot cards, and my brows pull together.
“Are you sure it’s a good idea to bring those? I mean, if we’re staying here for a while, it might not be smart to do a con so early.” I give a small nudge to try and get her to back off.
“It’s going to be fine. I’ll give him a few readings and be done with it. He’ll never know it was all bullshit.” She shrugs like it’s not a big deal.
Guess we’re about to find out.
Chapter Eight
Apollo
The sun is setting, and I’m sitting on the stone wall that looks out over the front lawn. The freshman rowing team is in charge of valet tonight, and I’ve gotten a kick out of watching them scramble to keep up.
I’ve been waiting for Celeste for the past twenty minutes when she said she was on the way. It’s only a ten-minute drive, so I don’t know what’s taking her so long. I feel my father’s presence come up behind me, and it’s confirmed when he places his large, heavy hand on my shoulder.
“Ready for tonight?” he says, and I turn to look up at him.
“Ready as I’ll ever be. You?” He nods, and I see a smile tug at the corner of his lips.
My dad has been different the past few days, and I wonder if it has anything to do with me seeing his car leaving Celeste’s house. The subject of my dad’s dating life is off-limits. Not that I’ve ever asked him about it before. But in all my years, I’ve never seen him bring home a woman or even take one to a formal function. He’s in his black tux tonight, but for some reason, he seems relaxed. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen him so comfortable when throwing a party.
In the distance, I hear the crowd of people saying ooh and ahh. “Must be the fire dancers,” my dad says and takes a seat beside me on the wall. “I want to talk to you about something, Lo.”
When he uses the nickname only he calls me, I know something is serious.
“What?” I turn my body so that we’re facing each other and I’m no longer looking at the cars coming down the driveway.