Chapter 22 Sloane
Sloane
Iavoided the third degree from my parents when I got home. Mom was at the mall, and Dad was golfing. It afforded me a little more time in my post-sex bubble.
Algebra kicked my ass for the rest of the afternoon. Babysitting allowed me to get on top of all my work. I’m just pleased little Riley is allowed screen time when I’m looking after him.
By the time I arrive home, Mom and Dad are waiting for me. I knew I wouldn’t get away with not talking to them.
“Hey, guys.”
“Evening, honey. Got time for a hot chocolate?”
Mom is already filling my favorite mug. Dad is putting cookies on a plate.
Resigned that this is happening whether I want it to or not, I go to the living room and sink into the loveseat.
My parents come in a few minutes later. I can already see that Dad is doing his level best to look confident.
In reality, he wants to be anywhere but here.
Fair. Few parents actually want to hear about their kids’ sex life.
Unfortunately, mine are all about transparency and honesty. They want to be the type of parents that are open and forward thinking. Their words, not mine.
“So,” Mom begins. “You stayed at Eden’s last night.”
“I did. It wasn’t planned. Eden showed up at Bryce’s party. We’ve not seen each other very much recently.”
“I know, honey. That’s something else we’d like to discuss. But it can wait.”
Savoring the chocolatey goodness, I collect my thoughts. “It wasn’t planned, but it was right.”
Dad is holding my Mom’s hand. His smile is forced. “So…um…”
Chuckling, I haul my butt over to the coffee table, which is in front of my parents.
Taking both their hands, I level them with a serious look.
“You know it happened. We don’t need to do an after-action report, okay?
It was the right time, and it was a decision we both made.
I’m happy. Eden was—is—the right woman for me. I hope that continues for a long time.”
Mom cups the side of my face. “Just tell me she was good to you.”
Sighing, I smile widely. “Mom, she was everything.”
Dad clears his throat. “Okay then. That’s that. Anyone want to watch a movie?”
Me and Mom laugh. The conversation was shorter than I thought it would be. I think it was enough, though. They know I’m happy and safe.
Pulling out my phone, I send a message to Eden, letting her know I’ve had ‘the talk.’ She replies with a laughing emoji and the word “same!”
“Before we settle down, we need to talk about your schedule, Sloane. Your Dad and I are worried. Don’t think we haven’t noticed how tired you are, and how little down time you’re getting.”
“Is there anything we can do, sweetie?” Dad asks.
“I appreciate the thought, but I’ve got it handled.”
Mom isn’t ready to accept that as an answer. “Sloane, you had three extra Algebra assignments last week alone!”
Shit. Time to come clean.
“Okay, so I may be on my algebra teacher’s bad side. He’s punishing me with the extra work.”
“What could you have possibly done?”
“I sort of skipped his class and then got caught.”
Mom and Dad look at each other and then back at me. Ugh, I hate that ‘we’re disappointed’ look.
Holding up my hands to stop the tirade I know is itching to be released in my direction, I try to take back control.
“I know I was wrong. It’s the first and will be the last time I ever skip.
As for my schedule, Becca will be taking over some cheer practices, and I’ll be working on any other homework while babysitting. I’m good. I promise.”
Mom still looks a little salty, but she doesn’t ream me out. “Okay. You’re a big girl, Sloane. I trust you’ve learned your lesson. We’re still here if you need anything.”
“Thank you. I love you both,” I say, draping myself between them. Neither of them has ever been able to stay mad when I get all cute.
The movie gets played, and I hold out until the last ten minutes. My eyes are closing by the time the hero prevails. When I finally reach my bed, I’m practically asleep. That’s what a night of fantastic sex will get ya.
I’m sleeping so deeply, and I’m disoriented when my alarm goes off. It can’t be as late as the clock is showing. I swear I set the phone to go off thirty minutes earlier. Shit, I’m not going to get over to Eden’s in time to walk with her.
God dammit!
Tearing through my morning routine, I’m still not able to pull back enough time to get over to the other side of town.
Stomping down the stairs, I hope Mom and Dad aren’t expecting me to be talkative.
Entering the kitchen changes my mood immediately.
Sitting at the breakfast bar with my mom is Eden.
“Oh hey,” she says, like it’s totally normal for her to be here at this time in the morning.
“What are you doing here?” I ask as I fall into her arms. Eden snakes her arm around my waist and kisses me soundly. Mom clears her throat, chuckling.
“Okay, so don’t get mad at me,” Eden says, still holding me close.
I narrow my eyes playfully. “What did you do?”
She takes a leaf out of my playbook and bites her lip. “I may have changed your morning alarm so you could have a little more time in bed.”
“Eden…”
“I know, but Sloane, you’re run off your feet. No reason I can’t come here in the morning. We can find a different route to walk or go for coffee.”
“Eden’s right, honey.”
Sighing, I lay my head on Eden’s shoulder. “Well, thank you. I guess the extra half an hour did me good. I slept so well.”
“Wanna eat up, and we’ll grab some coffee for everyone?”
Shoving some toast and a yogurt down my throat, I kiss Mom goodbye. We drive to the coffee shop and order all our friends a drink and a box of donuts. I’m feeling really good and want to spread the love.
Eden holds my hand the entire journey and by the time we arrive at Holcroft, I’m floating.
Pia, Todd, Becca, and Bella are waiting by Becca’s car.
We hug and say hello, catching up on everyone’s weekend.
Becca fills me in on the rest of the party.
I do not tell her about my night with Eden.
That deserves a proper girl’s night in with Doritos.
Heading inside, Pia pulls me back when Todd engages Eden in a conversation. Confused, I slow down until the rest of the gang is out of sight.
“Hey, so I thought I might hear from you this weekend,” Pia says. I’m confused.
“Um…you did?”
Pia rolls her eyes. “Well, yeah. I mean, I guessed you were taking over the birthday plans being Eden’s girlfriend and all.”
Birthday plans. Because…oh fucking hell, it’s Eden’s birthday on Wednesday and I totally forgot. I’ve had my head up my ass so much lately everything that wasn’t homework or college applications went out the window.
“Pia, I’ve fucked up.”
She winces. “You forgot, huh?”
I feel my face heat and tears prick my eyes. “Oh god, I’m the worst girlfriend ever!”
“No, you’re not. Stressed, for sure. It’s okay, we can throw her a party at the diner or something.”
Shaking my head, I pull myself up tall. “No. I’ll fix this. Leave it with me. By the end of the day I’ll get you some details.”
There’s not a chance in hell I am allowing Eden to have a subpar birthday party at the diner. It’s time to get my shit together.
The day passes irritatingly slowly. I can’t take any time to plan a party when I’ve got a full day of classes.
Thankfully, I have Jenna’s cell number and have been sneakily texting her.
I wanted to know if Eden and her family have a birthday tradition.
I don’t want to plan something, only to mess up her parents’ plans.
Turns out they do have a tradition, and Eden usually celebrates her birthday with friends on the following weekend. I can work with that. It gives me a little more time to pull something together.
At the final bell I make an excuse to zip out of school and head home. Both Becca and Eden looked at me oddly. I told Eden to come over later if she was free, I just need a couple of hours.
Mom is where I hoped she would be: by the pool. It’s a nice day and I know she didn’t have any meetings this afternoon. Dumping all my stuff by the door, I race through the sliding doors and plant myself on the lounger next to hers. Lifting her sunglasses, she cocks an eyebrow.
“Sweetie, are you okay? You look kind of wired.”
“I messed up, Mom. I need your help and impeccable organization skills.”
Placing her book down, she sits up and swings her legs around until she’s facing me. “Shoot. What’s going on?”
“I forgot to organize something for Eden’s birthday. It’s in two days, but she usually does stuff with her family so I need to get something planned for this weekend.”
Mom shrugs. “Easy.”
“It needs to be something good, Mom.”
She just stares at me. “Obviously, Sloane.”
Huffing, I take my hair from its ponytail and run my hand through it. “Sorry. I know you are like a wizard at this stuff. I’m just so pissed at myself for forgetting. I mean what kind of girlfriend does that? Especially after…you know, our first time. How selfish am I?”
“Whoa, okay. Take a deep breath. Everyone and their neighbor knows how stressed you’ve been lately, Eden more than anyone. I don’t know her well, but I doubt she’d be upset at your lack of—”
“Thought for someone else,” I blurt.
Mom takes a breath and waits for me to look at her. “She wouldn’t want you beating yourself up over it. Anyway, you remembered on time—”
“Only because her best friend asked what I was doing for her. She was worried because I hadn’t sent her any details. If it wasn’t for Pia, I would have totally flaked. How mortifying would it have been to be reminded on Eden’s birthday?”
“But that didn’t happen and we have time.
We’ll throw her a pool party here. Your father can get the grill set up.
The weather is supposed to be unseasonably warm, which is a bonus, although we can heat the pool if the temperature drops.
Invite all your school friends. I’ll even allow some alcohol. Not any hard stuff.”
“Eden doesn’t drink.”
Mom smiles. “I like her more and more.”
“Yeah, she’s pretty fantastic.” I sigh, thinking about my gorgeous girlfriend.
Chuckling, Mom snaps her fingers in front of my face. “Back to earth, honey.”
Blushing, I smile. “Sorry.”
“So, nothing to worry about. All you need to do is get the invites out. Let’s say 2 p.m. Have you bought her a gift?”
Oh god fucking damnit! I had every intention of going to the mall two weeks ago, but got drowned in other shit I had to take care of.
“By the look on your face I’m going to guess no.”
Shaking my head, I remain silent. I am certain that if I open my mouth right now, I’ll crack. The threat of tears is already becoming a reality.
Mom moves to sit beside me. Her hand strokes soothing circles on my back. “Baby, take a breath. We have time.”
It takes me a few minutes to compose myself.
I couldn’t stop a few tears from falling, and to be honest, I’m glad.
Crying is like a pressure release for me.
It takes a lot for me to get to this point.
I guess I should take this as a warning.
I have to calm down and get my life in order.
I’m going to have a breakdown if I continue down this path.
“I think I should have a word with your algebra teacher. Mr. Roper, right?”
“Yeah. But I deserve it. I did skip.”
“Agreed, but I think you’ve taken enough. It was one class.”
Leaning into her, I put my head on her shoulder. “I think he gets frustrated with me because I don’t really get it.”
“Now I definitely need to have a chat. I think it’s time to cut down the babysitting, too.”
I go to protest, but Mom stops me with a squeeze to my thigh.
“You need some downtime, Sloane. I know you have a chance to get work done while you’re there, but it’s also mixed in with looking after a child. You can’t fully concentrate.”
“He usually sleeps through.”
“Usually, but not always. And baby, you deserve time just for you. I know you want to earn some cash, and I commend you for it, but not at the expense of your wellbeing.”
“I’m just a little overwhelmed.”
“I know. Which is why you need to listen to me. You’re far too young to be having anxiety problems, baby.”
The doorbell chimes, and my insides immediately relax. Eden is here. Mom stands and pats me on the shoulder.
“I’ll distract her for five so you can get yourself together. We’ll talk about the party tonight. Take some deep breaths and then go relax with Eden. Take a walk or go for a swim. Something that isn’t work.”