Chapter 11
Chapter Eleven
Darryl
I peeled out of the airport parking lot, my hands still clenched on the steering wheel after that mess with Mom and Emily.
Ashley had jumped in like a pro, saving me from another blind date, and I’d walked away clean, but it left me restless.
Mom’s voice was still in my head, pushing about “my girlfriend,” and I wasn’t ready to face her follow-up at home.
I needed a break, something to shake it off, so I turned toward the mall instead.
My watch had been glitchy, the battery crapping out mid-flight last week, and I figured I’d grab a new one while I had time.
The lot wasn’t too crowded, the afternoon rush fading, and I parked near the main doors, snagging my jacket before heading inside.
The mall buzzed with low chatter, kids yelling by the arcade, shoppers drifting past with bags.
I aimed for the jewelry store near the food court, dodging a guy juggling a tray of nachos, when I stopped cold.
Troy, Ashley’s ex, was slouched against the pretzel stand, tearing into a twist, his eyes scanning the crowd like he was king of the place.
I’d never forget that smug mug after that run-in a month ago.
He clocked me, too, his grin turning nasty as he pushed off the counter.
“Well, look who it is,” he said, brushing salt off his hands. “The pilot boyfriend. Darryl, right?”
“Yeah,” I said, keeping it short, arms crossed. “Troy.”
“Didn’t expect you here,” he said, stepping closer, his voice loud over the mall noise. “Where’s Ashley? Off flying, ditching you already?”
“She’s around,” I said, staring him down. “What’s your point?”
“Just a warning,” he said, smirking widely. “You’re in deep with her. She’s selfish as hell. All about herself, her little job. Dropped me the second it got serious.”
I laughed, sharp and loud, shaking my head. “That’s a good one, coming from you. She told me how you’d stumble in drunk every night, bitching about her working. Sounds like you’re the one who couldn’t keep up.”
His smirk slipped, his eyes narrowing. “She’s got you snowed,” he said, jabbing a finger at me. “She’ll dump you, too. Only cares about playing Sky Princess. Good luck holding onto her.”
“Funny you say that,” I said, stepping up so we were nose to nose. “Last I saw, you were the one whining over her, then shacking up with some new chick a week later. Who’s selfish, huh? Maybe if you weren’t a sloppy drunk, she’d still have your ring on.”
“Back off,” he said, his voice dropping low, his face turning red. “You don’t know shit.”
“I know enough,” I said, grinning now. “You’re a joke, Troy. Couldn’t handle her, so you bailed. Keep her name out of your mouth. She’s doing great without you, and I’m not here for your pity party. Go cry to your fiancée.”
He opened his mouth, then clamped it shut, glaring hard before spinning away.
“Whatever, man,” he muttered, stomping off toward the escalator, shoving past a couple in his way.
I watched him go, shaking my head. Guy was a clown, and his trash talk didn’t faze me.
I headed into the jewelry store, weaving through the glass cases, and spotted a simple black watch with a leather strap.
The clerk droned on about features, water resistance, and warranties, but I just nodded, paid, and got out, the new watch ticking on my wrist. Troy’s words lingered, but I brushed them off.
Ashley wasn’t selfish, just stronger than he could deal with.
I grabbed a coffee from a stand on my way out, sipping it slowly as I walked back to my car.
The mall’s noise faded behind me, and I drove home, the sun sinking low, painting the sky orange.
When I pulled into the driveway, the house was already alive, voices spilling out from the kitchen.
I dropped my bag by the door, hoping to sneak upstairs, but Mom’s radar was too good.
She poked her head out, a wooden spoon in hand, her apron dusted with flour.
“Darryl!” she said, wiping her hands. “You’re back. Come in here. We need to talk.”
“About what?” I said, snagging a beer from the fridge. “I’m wiped.”
“About this Ashley girl,” she said, crossing her arms. “You can’t just say she’s your girlfriend and leave it at that. Who is she?”
“She’s a flight attendant,” I said, popping the cap off. “We work together. It’s not a thing.”
“Not a thing?” Mom said, her voice climbing. “You’ve never brought her up, and now she’s your girlfriend? How long’s this been going on?”
“A while,” I said, sticking to the story. “We’ve kept it low.”
“Low,” Dad said, looking up from his newspaper at the table. “That’s a first. She must be special.”
“She is,” I said, sipping my beer. “She’s cool. That’s all you need.”
Jen bounced in from the living room, phone in hand, grinning big. “Hold up,” she said, leaning on the counter. “You’ve got a girlfriend, and you didn’t tell me? Is she hot?”
“Yeah,” I said, shrugging. “She’s fine. You don’t need the rundown.”
“Oh, I do,” Jen said, hopping up to sit on the edge. “What’s she like? How’d you land her?”
“Met her at work,” I said, keeping it short. “She’s fun, smart. We hit it off.”
“Hit it off,” Mom said, squinting at me. “Well, if she’s your girlfriend, you need to bring her over. I want to meet this mystery girl.”
“Yeah,” Dad said, folding his paper. “Invite her for dinner. Let’s see who’s caught your eye.”
“Not tonight,” I said, leaning against the counter. “She’s beat too. Long trip.”
“Then Sunday,” Mom said, pointing the spoon at me. “I’m making roast. Tell her to come. No dodging this.”
“She’s real,” I said, forcing a grin. “I’ll see if she’s free.”
“You better,” Mom said, turning back to the stove. “I need to know who my son’s running around with.”
“Fine,” Dad said, nodding. “Sunday at six. Bring her. I’m curious too.”
“Alright,” I said, heading for the stairs. “I’ll ask.”
“She better be cool,” Jen called after me, laughing. “Gotta keep up with your grumpy ass!”
I ignored her, climbing to my room and kicking the door shut.
The new watch gleamed on my wrist, ticking steadily, and I dropped onto the bed, pulling out my phone.
This fake girlfriend bit was snowballing fast, and I needed Ashley locked in before Mom turned it into a full interrogation.
I scrolled to her number and hit call, the line ringing twice before she picked up.
“Hey,” she said, her voice soft and sleepy. “What’s up?”
“Hey,” I said, sitting up. “You free Sunday?”
“Maybe,” she said, yawning loudly. “Why?”
“Mom’s all over me,” I said, rubbing my neck. “After that airport thing, she’s dying to meet you. Wants you over for dinner.”
She laughed, a sharp, bright sound. “No way. Your fake girlfriend act’s getting serious.”
“Yeah,” I said, grinning despite the hassle. “Told them we’re together. They’re not dropping it.”
“Oh my God,” she said, still chuckling. “You’re a disaster. What’d you tell them?”
“Just that you’re a flight attendant, we met at work,” I said. “Kept it light. You in?”
“Sunday?” she said, pausing. “Yeah, I can do it. What time?”
“Six,” I said, leaning back. “Mom’s doing roast. They’re nosy, so be ready.”
“Got it,” she said, her voice waking up. “I’ll dress nicely. Make it convincing, right?”
“Right,” I said, nodding. “Sell it hard. They’ll dig.”
“I’m on it,” she said, teasing now. “This’ll be a blast. Anything else?”
“Yeah,” I said, sipping my beer. Ran into your ex at the mall. Troy. Talking trash.”
“What?” she said, her tone shifting fast. “What’d he say?”
“Said you’re selfish,” I said, setting the bottle down. “All about your job, ditched him when it got real. I roasted him.”
“Good,” she said, huffing. “What’d you hit him with?”
“Told him he’s a drunk who couldn’t keep up,” I said, grinning. “Said he’s the selfish one, whining, then jumping to some new girl. Shut him up quick.”
She laughed, softer now. “Nice. You’re racking up points, Darryl.”
“Yeah, well,” I said, stretching out. “He’s a tool. You’re better off.”
“Damn straight,” she said, yawning again. “Okay, Sunday at six. I’ll be your girlfriend. Don’t bail.”
“I won’t,” I said, standing up. “Sleep. You sound dead.”
“You too,” she said, fading out. “Night.”
“Night,” I said, hanging up. I tossed the phone on the bed, the day finally hitting me. Troy was a punk, my family was a headache, but Ashley was solid. Dinner’d be a mess, but with her, I’d get through it.