32. Space
32
Space
Whether or not Harvey got the job, I’d still be proud of him.
My aunts teased me about checking my phone so much, but they would've done the same if they had cell phones and boyfriends back in the day.
He texted me on his break, and my heart raced.
Harvey: Guess who got the job? ;)
I shrieked, earning confused looks from my family. This was big news, though. Harvey had even used a smiley face. I texted back.
Me: CONGRATULATIONS :D We have to celebrate!!!
Harvey: Late night dinner?
I'd have to pace my cookie intake so I didn't crash before then.
Me: Absolutely. My treat [heart emoji]
Zack, who was already putting a dent in the cookie stash post-work, frowned at me. “What’s got you so happy?”
“Harvey got promoted to manager.” I wiggled my hips and mimed using my phone as a pom-pom.
He shrugged, his boxy shoulders slightly tense. “Good for him.”
Aunt Coral wagged her eyebrows and blew on her tea. “He should have some nice benefits. Do they transfer to spouses?”
I froze. “Whoa, we’ve only been dating since–”
“They also have scholarships,” Mom said, wiping crumbs off the table and into her hand. “Do you think he’d hire you, Shelby?”
“No, that’d be a conflict of interest to the extreme.” I wilted onto the flattened couch cushions. Why did they have to spin his good news into a whole thing? Maybe I should keep job hunting. I perused the parent forums that mall mom had mentioned to me for various gigs. I could probably earn a couple hundred bucks a party. But first, I’d have to invest in costumes and activities.
“Shelby.” Mom flicked her palm upwards and glanced at the little cousins.
Oh, my posture. Wouldn’t want to be a bad influence. I pushed myself to sit up properly. Now that my boyfriend was a big shot manager, was the fight between my mom and I over? Had I 'saved' my future by finding a guy to take care of me? Or was she still pushing for a degree? I needed the stuff in my back seat. But more than that, I wanted to drive my own happiness. I got up and started putting on my boots.
“Where are you going?” Mom called after me.
“I need to take care of something.” Myself. Which I could do, despite my kinks or what she thought of me.
“We have company,” Mom chided.
I pushed my hair away from my face. “I know, but we’ve spent the last six hours together. There’s still some last-minute Christmas shopping I need to take care of, and I’d rather not do it while I’m in my uniform.”
She frowned and jerked her chin. “We bought everything for the family. It’s sitting under April’s tree.”
I sighed, guessing there'd only be underwear and socks in there for me. “What about Harvey?”
“You made him cookies,” Aunt Coral said.
Zack coughed, nearly choking on his, and gave me an apologetic look. “Sorry, was I not supposed to eat these?”
“No, it’s fine. They were initially for the family. Or donations.” I waved at the piles on the floor. “As is everything, lately.”
The adults in the room gave me incredulous, dirty looks. Anything other than blanket generosity was selfishness.
I turned my toes inward, scuffing the floor. “I just want to get my boyfriend something special, okay?”
The adults exchanged dubious glances and puzzled at me.
“Do you think he’d like a coat?” Zack joked.
His mom smacked his arm. “Those are donations."
I rolled my eyes. “Harvey barely wears the coat he’s got. But I need to keep a budget in mind. One of the parents at work told me about an opportunity where I might be able to host kids' parties as Sugarplum, assuming I can keep some cutesy outfits around. I need to see how much it would cost.”
They started unleashing questions about money and safety, so I held up a hand. “I’m still doing preliminary research. But that’s where I’m going.”
Career research was easier for them to accept than me wanting space or doing something nice for my boyfriend. Harvey was more than an escape or companion, though. He was my person, my lover, a new best friend who cared about me, and my Daddy. And now, he’d done something great. I needed to give him more than some cookies we were going to bake anyway.
I got my stuff and went outside. The door clanged open behind me. I rocked my head back and sighed, twisting around. It was Zack.
“Did they send you to spy on me?” I asked.
“No, I was going to shovel. But I also wanted to check on you. Are you okay?”
I crossed my arms. “Generally.” Didn't I look okay?
He grabbed the shovel and gestured for me to follow him. He scraped the driveway as he cleared a path, creating a noise cover if I wanted to share anything.
“I guess I’m just tired of everyone hanging all over me. I can’t do anything right if I’m not doing exactly what they want of me,” I said.
He snorted. “I know what you mean.”
“Don’t you ever want to get away?” I flapped my arms, but I had just as good a chance of Mr. Waddles at flying out of here.
Zack frowned at the tire tracks on the now-packed snow. “Yeah, but they’re family.”
I laughed and pushed his arm. “I’m not saying abandon them forever. I mean, move out of your mom’s house. Isn’t that something people our age do?”
“Yeah,” he grumbled, resuming his efforts. “But all the studio apartments are taken. Only two bedrooms as far as the eye can see.”
“You’ve been looking?”
He paused and turned to me with wide eyes. “Uh, not really. I'm browsing. Casually.”
“I get it.” I scooted some lower snow banks aside. “Roommates might not be the worst thing."
Scoffing, he dug deep. “Yeah, but the ones you meet online can be kind of sketchy. They could have untrained pets. Or they don’t clean.”
“Maybe we…” I bit my lip. Don’t get ahead of yourself, Shelby. Zack usually found me annoying, and our parents were still keeping an eye on us through the window. I cleared my throat and patted his arm. “Maybe you’ll find someone special to share it with.”
He snorted and slumped against the shovel handle. “I’m not holding my breath.”
“It doesn’t have to be romantic. It could be a new band member. Or a coworker at a new job. Or, you know, family.” I twisted my hair and looked away, as innocent as could be.
He studied me, his brows knit. “Aren’t you about to be unemployed?”
With a cry of indignation, I shoved his arm. “Thanks for reminding me.”
He raised his shoulders. “I’m just saying."
“Yeah, well, say all you want. I’m leaving.” I had to, if I wanted any peace.