34. Tatum
34
TATUM
“ Y ou know, we needed this,” I announce while perusing the depressingly empty freezer. Seriously. Where are the Eggos? The ice cream? The popsicles? And it wouldn’t kill us to stock up on some of those frozen cream puffs or premade taquitos, either. I lift a frozen pound of ground beef a few inches off the shelf in hopes of finding something delicious and processed and relatively premade but come up empty. “Although, it would’ve been smart if we’d planned ahead a little better.”
“You’re the one who forgot to go to the grocery store this week, not me,” Rory says from her perfectly made twin bed.
“Hey, I was a little busy cleaning,” I argue.
“And dreading Paxton’s party,” she argues. “Which, by the way, I still haven’t gotten the details on yet.”
Ignoring her, I suggest, “There’s also UberEats?”
“And risk someone touching my food?” She shivers. “No, thank you.”
“Fiiiine.” I push the freezer door closed and pad back to my bed, plopping on the messy sheets. “What do you want to watch?”
“I mean, we’re only on season three of Gilmore Girls …”
“You just like the fact that you’re named after one of the main characters,” I tease.
“Technically, both of the main characters, but?—”
My phone buzzes in my lap, and I look at the screen, finding an unknown number.
UNKNOWN NUMBER
Hey, Birthday Girl.
Birthday Girl.
Butterflies swell in my stomach as I fight to keep from swooning. I haven’t seen Pax since the beach, and even though I’d never admit it out loud, and have kept myself busy cleaning other houses, I’ve kind of missed him since he dropped me off at Grinds. And how did he get my number? Normally, I’d be creeped out, but all I can think about is how he went through the effort to track it down.
Swoon.
Attempting to keep the butterflies in check, I add Paxton’s contact information to my phone, then type my response.
Me
I’m sorry, who is this?
Pax
I’m sorry, do other gentlemen call you Birthday Girl?
“Who has you smiling?” Rory asks.
Feeling like I just got caught with my hand in the proverbial cookie jar, I flip my phone facedown in my lap and jerk my head toward my best friend. “Hmm?”
She grins. “I asked who has you smiling.”
I wave her off. “I’m not smiling.”
“You’re most definitely smiling. Which is adorable by the way. Is it Pax?”
My teeth dig into my bottom lip before I give in and nod. “Maybe.”
“Good for you,” she decides. “You know, you could always invite him over.”
“And have your beast bite off his testicles?” I grimace. “No, thank you.”
She lifts a brow. “One. Rude. Hades would never do that?—”
My pointed look cuts her off.
“Okay, he’d never do it without my permission,” she clarifies. “But seriously, you should invite Pax. I’ll even put Hades in his kennel so Paxton’s testicles are safe.”
I stay quiet, considering my options. I could say no. I should say no. Besides, he’s probably busy, and it’s been only forty-eight hours since we talked. He’s probably come to his senses and is over the whole “I like you” bit. Right? Then again, our little walk on the beach is probably one of the most memorable encounters I’ve ever had with the opposite sex. I mean, pretty sure peeing on someone all because of a jellyfish sting would make the list for anyone, but adding it to every other experience I’ve shared with Pax? I don’t know. It feels like the list is getting longer and longer, and… I probably should’ve played this better because it’s clear Rory knows me way too well, and now, I’m on her radar.
“Cat got your tongue, Tater Tot?” she prods.
“He’s probably busy,” I reply while trying not to squirm from my best friend’s scrutiny. But seriously. When did she get so good at calling me out on my bullshit?
“You won’t know unless you ask.”
“And it’s a girls’ night,” I point out.
“Only because we don’t have any other friends.”
Touche.
And also… ouch.
I open my mouth to argue that we’re cooler than everyone else we know anyway, but my phone buzzes again, distracting me. Unlocking my screen, I read Paxton’s message.
Pax
Your silence isn’t very reassuring.
What were we talking about? Oh. Right. Other gentlemen calling me Birthday Girl. Biting the edge of my lip, I write my reply.
Me
You’re not used to being on this side of a relationship, are you?
Pax
Are you saying we’re in a relationship?
Me
I meant the general term, not the romantic one.
Pax
Shame.
My mouth lifts again before I can stop it, and my phone buzzes with another message.
Pax
Any chance you’re free tonight?
Me
Depends. How’d you get my number?
Pax
I may have bribed Roman to do some digging.
Of course, Roman’s to blame. I shouldn’t even be surprised at this point. He’s probably the one who gave Pax a ride to pick his car up when I borrowed it after the hot tub incident, too. When I walked outside the next morning to find his car gone, I almost had a heart attack but was too stubborn to reach out to Pax directly to tell him his car was stolen while under my watch, and I had no way of paying him back for it. Yeah, talk about an awkward conversation. Thankfully, when I pulled into Pax’s house for work a few days later and found it parked inside the garage like it never left, I was able to breathe a massive sigh of relief. Regardless, Roman’s a slippery fellow, that much I know.
Me
Seems Roman’s a man of many talents.
Pax
You have no idea. So what do you say? Are you free?
I peek up at Rory and catch her staring at me as she scratches Hades behind his ear.
“What’d Pax say?” she asks.
“He, uh, he wants to know if we’re free.”
“ We .” She snorts. “Yeah, okay. And you better say yes.”
My nose wrinkles as I look down at my phone. Typing out a dozen different responses, I finally land on two words.
Me
Maybe. Why?
Pax
I figured you might be interested in a do-over.
Me
Gonna need more details.
Pax
Come on, Birthday Girl. Let me surprise you.
I peek up at Rory again. The idea of ditching her is more than I can stomach, especially after my drunken bitchery from a couple nights ago. And so, even though it kind of kills me, I pull on my big girl panties and respond.
Me
Can’t. I have plans.
Pax
Should I be jealous?
Me
Nah, I see Rory like a little sister, so you’re safe.
Pax
You had me worried for a minute there. Why don’t you bring her along?
Ignoring my best friend’s stare, I type my response.
Me
Color me intrigued.
Pax
Figured you might be.
Me
Is this because you owe me after the beach?
Pax
I believe you said, “What happens at the beach, stays at the beach,” remember?
By the way, my foot feels much better, thank you for asking. And might I add, your pee is magical.
My eyes bug out of my head, and I look over my shoulder, confirming Rory hasn’t managed to read minds or texts from across the tiny room, and this conversation is between me and Pax and only me and Pax.
Hallelujah.
Me
Tell me, did you even read your previous text before sending it?
Pax
Maybe. But the idea of you losing your shit over a completely normal circumstance like peeing on a friend to help the guy out was worth looking like I have a urine kink during a texting conversation.
I bite the inside of my cheek to keep from grinning like a lunatic.
Me
Well, would you look at that. Seems like my plans can’t be changed. But good luck on your do-over.
Pax
Aw, come on, Birthday Girl. You know you’re curious.
He’s right. I am.
Me
I’m gonna need details.
Pax
You’ll have to wait and see, but I promise you won’t regret it.
“What’s he saying?” Rory interrupts.
I peek up at her, unsure how to answer her. “He, uh, he wants to know if we can go to his place so he can have a do-over.”
Confusion and intrigue gleam in her eyes as she tilts her head. “A do-over, huh?”
“Yeah, but I told him I already have plans with you.”
“So?” she challenges. “Don’t you want to see what his do-over entails?”
“Well, yeah, but…” I peek at my cell, indecision gnawing at me. “You really think we should go?”
She flinches back, and Hades lifts his head, sensing her discomfort. Ignoring her protective pup, Rory demands, “I’m sorry, who said I had to go?”
Preparing myself for a battle, I sit up a little straighter, pointing to my chest. “Uh, me?”
“No, thank you.” She gives me a syrupy sweet grin and reaches for the controller.
“Squeaks…”
“Seriously, I think I’ll pass,” she interrupts. “I’ll stay here, and you can catch me up on all the gory details tomorrow morning after you do the walk of shame.”
“Hey!” Grabbing my pillow, I toss it at her. “Rude.”
“Or accurate,” she quips.
“Come on. If I’m going, you have to come.”
“Seriously?”
With my hands pressed in front of me in a prayer gesture, I plead, “Please. You know I can’t do this without you.”
The look she gives me is bland at best, but I already know she’ll give in. Why? Because she’s the bestest friend a girl could ever ask for, and she knows I won’t go unless she’s by my side.
“You really want me to come?” she whines.
“Yes, I really, really do.”
“Fiiiine.” She waves her hand toward her phone. “Tell him we’re on our way. I’ll go change, then you can get ready.” She points to her beast. “You. Stay.” Then, she rushes into the bathroom.
Scrunching my face, I type my response before I can talk myself out of it.
Me
Rory and I will be there in thirty.
Pax
See you soon.