36. Blow Your Mind
Blow Your Mind
BETTY
“And what are you doing?” Pappa demanded, poking his head in my room without knocking.
I looked at my bag, praying everything I didn’t want him to see was sufficiently covered. “You know I said I was going to Gothenburg for a hot minute, Pappa.”
“Now? You just got here, bug!”
Mary’s planned stop in Gothenburg to accept an award from the mayor had changed four times.
The date had been pushed up so she could record a song in Stockholm after.
Her schedule was more hectic than mine. While I settled back in Trondheim, I visited Oslo to complete royal duties in Rose’s stead. Pregnancy wore on her.
I rolled my eyes. “I told you it was dependent on… things.”
He leaned on the doorway. “Does this have to do with anyone you are seeing?”
“Dad, I’m almost thirty. My personal life is—”
“Skatt, no one is upset with you for that,” Pappa insisted. “You are allowed to be a grown-up and have a life.”
“Tell that to my stupid brothers.”
“I cannot fix them. They will always protect you. But… if you are seeing someone, why not bring them here?”
“I will be back in time for my engagements and stay long enough to ride in the charity show,” I said. “Auntie’s greenies will get their time, too. I just… I need to go for a night. I’m taking the train. You don’t need to worry about me.”
“Is he Swedish?”
“It’s really none of your business,” I said. “But if you must know, things are getting serious and… someday I will introduce you when our schedules aren’t so chaotic.”
My father’s eyebrows raised.
“Far, can you just… be cool about this?”
“Apologies, but we haven’t met anyone since Hank and… well, what does he do?”
“Entertainment,” I answered. “And you will know more when I want you to.”
“Oh, you’re going?” Mamma popped in, looking disappointed.
I stood, continuing to pack and aware my train departed in under an hour. “I’ve already explained this to Dad. I will be back in the evening well in time for our engagement the next morning. I should be back by six.”
Mum didn’t pry. “Well, okay. I will have dinner ready.”
“Thanks,” I said. “I will be home in time.”
“Good,” Pappa said. “Alright, well stay safe and stay out of trouble.”
“I will,” I promised.
As they left, I slammed the door and tossed the last of my necessities for an evening out incognito—a blonde wig and a baseball cap my brother, Win, gifted from a Cubs game. I took Cici’s advice on how to go out without getting caught.
On the way to Gothenburg, I worked through the stuff my documentary crew sent.
It was a list of dates and events where they intended to follow me.
There would be one camp following the royals—complete with a sort of reality-show confessional set up at the hall’s dressing room—and one following the bands.
By the looks of it, the focus would be on the Swedes and Brits, with some Norwegian fun sprinkled in.
It was clear what the motivations of this documentary were. They wanted drama.
I texted Mary
ME
Have you seen the UniVox Schedule?
It took her a moment, but she eventually responded.
MARY
Nah. I didn’t see it. You must be special.
ME
Doubtful, elskling.
MARY
Are you coming or not?
ME
I’d like to be coming all over your face right about now
MARY
You couldn’t help yourself?
ME
I am a child.
I’m on the train.
MARY
Good. I promise I have cleared the evening with you—even if Pappa has griped.
ME
Well, he could join us?
MARY
Uh, my goal is to take you out to the last gay bar in Gothenburg, dance the night away, and then fuck you endlessly to make up for lost time. He is not in our plans.
I snickered.
ME
I’m so ready for it. I came prepared.
MARY
I am oh-so-curious to see what that means.
I smiled, self-satisfied and hoped to blow her fucking mind in the next twenty-four hours. I hadn’t seen her in weeks, and phone sex barely scratched the itch. I wanted to hear her come and watch her lose herself.