Somee #2
“No, and I’m not going to until I’m there. It’s better to ask for forgiveness than permission with this one.”
My mother had no clue I’d requested leave to travel to Crescent Falls with Rylee and her brother.
She would think this was a terrible idea and do her best to talk me out of it.
Honestly, it probably was a terrible idea but I couldn’t bring myself to break Rylee’s heart by sending her out there alone.
“You’re grown, Somee. You don’t need permission.”
I delivered a stare as I signed, “I’m sorry, have you not met my mother.”
“I have and you’re right. She’s going to S-P-A-Z-Z. It’s best to just do this and deal with the fallout later.”
“She’s going to be pissed but she’ll be okay,” I signed.
“He’s a millionaire athlete offering to pay twice your yearly salary just to spend a few months hanging out at his mansion, enjoying his luxurious lifestyle. Why would she be upset about that? At least he’s paying you.”
He was paying me very well. However, that wasn’t the issue. My mother would see this as me compromising everything I’d worked for, for a man. Never mind the fact that I was making the decision to go solely because of Rylee. My mother would never see it that way.
My hands moved. “Her very independent daughter dropping everything for a man. One who has a questionably scandalous life and is hearing.”
“I see your point. She’s going to be very pissed…” She paused and her expression softened. “But she loves you enough to trust that you know what you’re doing. You do know what you’re doing, right?”
“Yes,” I signed and looked her right in the eyes to convince her I did because honestly I didn’t. The decision was made for Rylee’s benefit but a tiny little part of me was curious about Ryland.
“You’re such a fucking liar,” she signed, then laughed.
“How am I a liar?” My hands moved slowly.
“You love Rylee, sure. I won’t deny that. But you’ve also want this for yourself so I’m not going to give you shit. Who wouldn’t? The man is sexy, rich, and…”
“Hearing,” I signed, cutting her off. “Not my type.”
“Yep,” she said without making the motion, allowing me to read the word on her lips before she signed. “I have to go. Early morning tomorrow. Do you want me to help you clean up?”
“You’re leaving?” I pouted.
“I am. I have to drive to Dorian to purchase plants for a greenhouse. If I don’t get there early, they might sell. This guy is A-N-A-L and I refuse to give him a reason to assume I can’t deliver.”
We both stood. “I’m going to miss you.”
“I’m going to miss you more and I’m super jealous that this is your life right now.” She grinned.
“It’s Rylee’s life. Not mine.”
“Which makes it yours by default,” she signed, then hugged me tightly. I hugged her back and she pulled away and signed, “You better text me every day.”
“I will.”
Marlee pushed her feet into her Uggs and headed to Rylee to say her goodbyes before she left.
While she ate, I cleaned up the living room, taking the empty snack bowl to the kitchen and snagging a few wings while I washed what little dishes were left and dumped the disposable ones we’d used for our gametime food.
After I was done, I sat with Rylee. She hadn’t mentioned us leaving. Not even when I packed up all of our things and moved three suitcases for her and two for myself near the door. I felt it was only right to check in.
“Ryland’s coming tonight and we’re leaving in the morning. Are you nervous about the plane ride?”
She shook her head and lifted barbecue coated fingers to sign, “Are you sitting next to me?”
“I think so.”
“Then I won’t be scared,” she signed and lifted another boneless wing, dipping it in ranch dressing before eating.
“If you are scared, it’s okay. I’m a little scared too.” I wrinkled my nose as I moved my hands. “This will be my first time on an airplane.”
“But you’re big.”
“I am. Still never been on a plane, so we get to experience this together.”
Sticky fingers were moving again. “And Ryland.”
“Yes, Ryland will be with us.” I kept a smile on my face because if she sensed I was happy with her brother, she would be too. After she finished eating, I cleaned up what was left and dumped the food since we would be leaving in the morning. No need for leftovers.
Rylee picked the clothes she wanted to travel in tomorrow, jeans and a purple sweater with purple sneakers. After she took her bath and was in bed, I turned on the TV so she could watch her favorite show Bear With Me until she drifted asleep. I had last minute things to pack before we left.
I wasn’t sure if Ryland would even show but assumed he would.
I hadn’t heard from him since early yesterday when he texted to confirm his flight time.
According to Ryland, he was leaving at nine tonight, scheduled to land at eleven.
Since we were leaving first thing in the morning, I offered my sofa for the night so he wouldn’t have to waste money on a hotel.
Not sure why because the guy had plenty of money.
Regardless, I gathered a blanket and pillows, which I placed on the table next to the sofa just in case he showed, then shut everything down, heading to my room to finish packing the few things I’d left until the last minute.
By ten I was done and decided to take a bath to relax.
I was anxious about flying and also feeling edgy about leaving the comfort of my life to be thrown into a world I knew nothing about.
After I had the tub filled with water and my favorite coconut-mango oils and bubble bath, I wrapped my hair in a microfiber towel, poured some wine, and grabbed my tablet.
Once I was submerged in the steamy, hot, fragrant water, I pulled up my favorite sports recap site to see what they were saying about today’s game and watch highlights. I’d missed several plays having to engage with Marlee and Rylee.