Chapter 8
8
Jaylen
Tonight, is the night. The work day felt like it took forever to end. Not only am I anxious because of my date tonight. I refuse to see it as anything else. But the kids were amped up about going out and getting candy.
Patrick and I have talked to each other on the phone the past couple of days when I get home from work. Honestly, I feel a little bad he has to listen to me vent about the school day. He hasn’t complained about it once. In a lot of ways, it feels like that connection we had all those years ago is back. I know I can go to him with anything and there will be no judgment.
I didn’t want to call him today, though. My girls are needed, even though I’ll see them in a few hours. Both of them decided not to get ready at my place. Which sucks because I could really use their help.
Kelly and Hannah are on the phone with me as I get ready. I tried to get them to hop on a video call so they could make sure I didn't look ridiculous, but they were serious about me not seeing their costumes. I’m going to be mad if it isn’t epic.
“How does everything fit?” Kelly asks. I can hear Hannah singing, badly, in the background. If I didn’t know better, I’d say she’s already tipsy.
“Okay, I think.”
“What do you mean, you think?”
“I have no idea how I’m going to get the wings on by myself.” We tried them on when Kelly was here last weekend to make sure they felt alright, but it took both of us to get them on.
“You don’t need them yet.”
“Why not?”
“Because you still have to get in his truck to drive to Generations Hall.” She sighs, “as spacious as I’m sure his truck is, I don’t think it’s big enough for your wings to be on your body and not get smashed at the same time.”
“You have a point.”
“How’s the hair and makeup?”
All these questions could have been avoided if they were here or if we were on video. “Both look okay.”
“Send me a pic.” I don’t hear Hannah in the background anymore. There’s no telling where she disappeared to. Possibly to get another drink.
Picking up my phone, I open the camera, snap a selfie and send it to her. Crap, my battery is getting lower and lower. I pull the cord from the side of my dresser and plug it into my phone before I prop it up again.
“Did you get it?” I don’t like the silence coming from the other end. I’m not sure if it’s good or bad.
“Yep. Add a little more glitter to your cheekbones and you’re good to go.”
“Thank God.” I grab the body glitter from the dresser and tap it with my finger. “I was worried it was horrible.”
“You look amazing! Patrick isn’t going to know what hit him.”
“Yeah,” Hannah calls from the back. “You’re gonna have him eating from the palm of your hands.”
“Please tell me you’re the one driving, Kelly.”
“I am. I knew she was going to pregame, I even booked us two rooms at a nearby hotel.”
“You didn’t have to do that.” She really is too kind for her own good.
“I know.” I can hear the smile in her voice, “but I wanted this night to be perfect for you. I even talked to Hudson and he snuck an overnight bag into Patrick’s truck. Check the closet and you’ll find yours.”
I know talking to Hudson probably wasn’t the greatest for her. The animosity between those two is ridiculous, but as long as it doesn’t screw up my night, I’ll be fine. “Thank you.”
There’s a knock at the front door and I panic. “Oh my God, he’s here.”
“First, calm down,” Kelly laughs, “then hang up with me and answer the door.”
“I need to turn on my lights.”
“No, wait until you get there. Have him help you put on the wings, then turn on the lights. Wait to give him the full effect.”
My thoughts run through my mental to-do list. Costume. Check. Hair and makeup. Check. Bag for hotel. Check. Tickets… “Crap, I forgot to get our tickets from you.”
“Don’t worry, we’ll be there at the same time.”
“But I don’t know what you’re dressed as.” They just had to make everything difficult.
“You’ll see us.” Hannah’s words are slurred. There’s no way she’s making it through the whole party before leaving or getting kicked out.
“Okay. But if I don’t recognize you, you know what my costume looks like.”
“Yes,” both of them say in unison. Kelly adds, “now go get the door before Patrick thinks he has the wrong house.”
“Okay, okay.” I groan as I turn toward the bed, making sure all of the accessories are together. “I’ll see y’all there.”
Ending the call, I rush over to the closet and pull out the bag Kelly left me. Setting it next to the wings, I take a deep breath. My steps are quick but sure as I head to the front door. I don’t have the heels on yet. I’m waiting as long as possible before I put on those torture devices. My phone dings with a text as my hand reaches for the knob. I pull it from the pocket Kelly added to the skirt. How? I don’t know. She’s magical that way.
Patrick: I’m here. I think. The door hasn’t been answered and I’ve been knocking for a bit.
It’s about time I answer the door. If I don’t, he’s going to leave, and he may not come back. There’s no way in hell I’m going to let that happen. Not after I put in all this work. Deep breath in, and out. I repeat that two more times before wrapping my hand around the knob and opening the door.
Patrick is a dark shadow in front of the setting sun. Before I have a chance to say hello, he lifts a hand to his chest as if it hurts. “You look stunning.”
“Just wait until you see it all put together.” I take a step back and motion my hand towards inside. “Please, come in.”