91. Lolly
ninety-one
Lolly
The tea kettle whistles as I’m finishing the dishes, trying desperately fucking hard not to think about tonight. The group chat has been absolute madness, my phone vibrating every few minutes.
I pour water over Mom’s favorite tea, remembering the days she was in the kitchen and I was in the living room. Freshly baked bread and soft humming still float across the air if I’m quiet long enough.
“Here you are,” I say softly as I hand her the cup.
Her eyes meet mine and she smiles, “Thank you, love. You always make the best tea.”
“Not as good as yours,” I reply with a grin.
“Blasphemy,” she retorts.
I snort a laugh. “It’s true,” I admit.
“No son of mine would ever make a bad cup of tea,” she says, peering over her cup with mischief in her eyes.
Warmth blooms in my chest, blinding gratitude and love for her nearly overwhelming me.
“Well, we couldn’t put a smear on the family name like that now, could we?” I tease.
“Never,” she says with a wink before turning her attention back to the television.
It’s good to see you, Mom. So fucking good to see you.
I ignore my phone damn near vibrating its way across the bathroom counter as I finish getting dressed. Corina is going to give me so much shit for the heavy eyeliner, but I love it when she gets so flustered she speaks in Spanish.
I still can’t wrap my mind around the fact that I’m going to Discovery with the three of them.
And Bailey as my fucking date? “Fucking wild,” I mutter as I pull my favorite leather pants on.
The grommets look so good with my steel-embellished combat boots and chain necklaces—I’ve been meaning to take the ensemble out for a night.
Give me all the eighties vibes and glam rock you’ve got.
I clip my purple chain to my belt to match my nails, appreciating the contrast against the black.
I’m tempted to wear a crop-top, but imagining the look on Bailey’s face when I show up with only a black jacket makes my dick twitch and I know it’s the right call.
It’s perfect, falls at just the right length above my pant legs.
The thick leather will hide the wings well.
I fasten my favorite choker and grab my rings before risking a glance at my phone as I head downstairs.
Jinx: What are we wearing? Slutty or business slut?
Jay: Casual slut.
Jinx: Boring ??
Me: Going topless tonight, babes.
Jinx: OMFG Bailey is going to come in his pants ??
Me: That’s the idea ??
Jinx: Is he bringing his delicious blond friend?
Me: Liam?
Jinx: Yusss
Me: Yes but go easy on the guy, I’m pretty sure he’s straight
Jinx: For now
I laugh as I carefully pull the wings out of the closet, arranging the straps so they’re secure before covering them with the jacket. I stop in front of the full-length mirror for a last minute vibe check. “Damn,” I say with a grin. I look fucking edible.
My smirk is still on my mouth when I round the corner and meet Corina.
“Ay dios mio!” She yelps, clutching her chest.
“You like what you see?” I say, doing a little spin so she can see the whole fit.
“Are you killing vampires tonight?”
“Corina,” I glower.
“Okay, it’s not bad but won’t you get hot in the chaqueta?” She says, eyes narrowed.
“It’s coming off first,” I tease.
“Oliver, you are such a brat,” she says with a roll of her eyes. “But I love you. Please be safe, okay?” She kisses my cheek.
“I will. I promise.”
My stomach churns with excitement and anticipation as I send Bailey a five minute warning text and turn on a playlist Jinx made last year. I wonder for a moment what they’ll end up wearing tonight. No doubt it will be a statement. A sparkling statement.
My thoughts drift back to green eyes and soft smiles. This wildly foreign feeling is new but has an echo of the past within it. Some strange thread that followed us over the years. Always present, but intermittently tugging in its persistence.
I let the feeling swirl around in my chest and belly, trying not to examine it too closely, but instead let it do what it will. I put the car in park and pull in a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves. Fuck, I hope he likes what he sees.