Chapter 7 #2
Hector and Hal start singing “Pretty Woman.” Ava turns to look at the door, and Erin has walked in as well. She’s steadying her arms against the door in a dramatic way, her head falling back as she shimmies.
“Finally, someone sees my worth,” she says.
I laugh and so does Ava. Erin’s head pops up and she grins when she sees us. She walks over, and Ava laughs harder.
“Nice shirt,” she says.
Erin’s wearing a shirt that says Come closer and I’ll bite in bold black letters. And then in a smaller red font it says, And you WILL like it.
Erin winks at Ava. “Do you need a nibble?”
Ava’s cheeks flame and her mouth parts. “Uh, ha, yes. No! I mean. Ha. You’re so funny.” She laughs again.
Erin’s own cheeks turn a little pink, but she lifts an eyebrow as she smirks at Ava. “Why, thank you,” she says.
Ava nods, smiling as she looks down at her feet.
Erin’s gaze turns to me. “Hey, good-lookin’, surprised to see you here. You giving my friend over there grief?” Her head tilts toward Juju.
“What? No!” I say, a little too forcefully.
She points at me. “Good. I’ve been meaning to box you upside the ears about a few things.” She shakes her head. “That Caribou comment, for one. Pfft. That was so uncalled for.”
I grimace and run my hand down my face. “Yeah, I don’t know why I said that.”
“I have a few theories, but I’ll keep them to myself for now.” Her eyes narrow.
“Good. I better be going,” I say, backing up.
I’m starting to feel sweaty.
“But you haven’t eaten your bear claw yet,” Ava says.
“Oh…yeah, I should probably take it to go after all.”
I rush to the little bar and get a to-go cup, sloshing some coffee as I pour. I wipe it up, cursing under my breath the whole time, and jump when Hector and Hal burst into another song.
Without another glance toward the counter, I leave. My heart is racing when I reach my SUV. What the hell is wrong with me?
My phone buzzes, and it’s the family thread.
Dad
Proof of life requested, please.
Dylan
That’s proof of Kevin’s life. Where are you, pray tell?
My family has ridiculous tastes in pet names.
My photo choice is a big mistake. It starts a slew of messages.
Goldie
I hope you played nice with Juju!
Noah
Yeah, what’s with you guys? You’re either glaring at each other or blowing up.
That’s what they think? We’re not always glaring at each other. And yes, we blow up sometimes, but…I didn’t think we were that obvious.
Dylan
I’m sensing some sexual tension there.
I get a text from the sibling thread. It’s titled “Four Men and a Baby,” which Goldie changes every single time a text is sent. Sure enough, she changes it to “One Woman and Four Babies.” It’s changed back immediately, I suspect either by Dylan or Tully.
Tully
Dylan! Go delete that comment in the fam thread. Dad’s in there!
Dylan
You think Dad doesn’t know what sexual tension is?!
Tully
Of course he does. He just doesn’t need to hear about ours.
Dylan
Are you having some sexual tension, Tully? Is that what you’re saying?
Tully
My sexual tension is handled just fine, thank you very much.
Goldie
Ew! Should I tell you all about how Milo and I are working out any hints of sexual tension we might have? Every. Single. Night.
Tully
I am scarred for life. No, you should not breathe another word of this, Goldie.
Goldie
Thought so. Goes both ways, fellas.
Noah
Camden, you’re being awfully quiet.
I notice that you are as well, Noah. Why is that?
Noah
My hand works just fine.
Goldie
Milo’s hand works better than any hand I’ve ever had.
Dylan
That’s going too far!
Tully
I just threw up
Noah
Sorry. I guess I asked for that.
Goldie
That’s what she said
This is going downhill fast.
“Camden, oh my God, I can’t believe how great this place is!”
I look up from my phone and see a woman with black hair and a tight red dress.
She pouts. “It’s me. Kimberly.” She puts her hand on my arm and laughs. “We hung out on the roof of The Hewing Hotel a few years ago.”
“Hi…Kimberly.” I’m trying really hard to place her, but it’s not coming back to me.
I feel bad about it, but then she says, “Well, I was there with Jackson, but”—she leans in, and her chest hits my arm—“I wished I could’ve gone home with you.”
I take a step back. “Good to see you, Kimberly. I have to take this and then get back to work.” I wave my phone. “Take care.”
She pokes her lips out again, and I nearly jog back to the kitchen.
Meanwhile, Dad’s blowing up the other text thread.
Dad
I’ve sensed some sexual tension there myself.
I look up to remind myself what he’s talking about. Oh fuck. He’s still on Juju.
Dad
There’s an answer for that, you know.
Dad
Ask her out, son. You know you want to.
Dad
Hello? Camden? Don’t ignore me.
Dad
And Tully, what’s got you so quiet?
Tully
Forgive me. I’m over here scrubbing my brain.
Dad
There’s nothing to be ashamed of. We have all dealt with sexual tension. Some of us more than others. ;) I remember the time your mom and I…
Dylan
For the love of all that is holy, don’t tell us about the time.
Dad
You guys make it too easy.
In the other thread:
Tully
I hope you’re happy, Dylan. Look what you’ve done.
Dylan
Might be the only thing I’ve ever done wrong. Sorry, guys.