Chapter 8 Rain Check
RAIN CHECK
Cici
“Good morning, Cindy. That was a clever move you made,” I say as I pause at her desk on my way by this morning.
She conveniently left thirty minutes early yesterday after asking my parents to stop by the office at five to sign something for the accountant.
The sneaky woman has been trying for months to help mend the relationship between us, playing therapist by bringing the problem up while trying to convince me to talk to them. I’m sure they’ve experienced the same.
“It was, wasn’t it? How did it go?” she asks curiously.
“Better than I would have thought. They were as surprised as I was, but with no one here as a buffer, we had to acknowledge one another.”
“Exactly what I was going for. So what happened?”
“We’re having dinner this weekend,” I say with a smile.
What actually happened is that when I saw them, I realized I’ve really missed them, and I think they felt the same in return.
After the initial shock, my mom came up and hugged me with tears in her eyes, which then caused me to get weepy.
My dad was next, and with a lot of I miss yous and regrets, we agreed to have dinner to “get to know one another again.” I thought that was fitting since we’re both at different places in our lives now.
They made sure to tell me there would be no lecturing and they’re just genuinely interested in hearing about me.
I’m looking forward to it but am keeping my expectations in check from experience.
She immediately lights up. “Wow. That’s even better than I expected. Damn, I’m good. It’s about time—that only took, what… five months?”
“I guess stubbornness runs in the family. My brother’s a prime example of that right now.” To my detriment.
At breakfast on our last day in Vegas, he told me he hadn’t made considerable headway, but that he wasn’t giving up and needed more time.
He couldn’t say how much more, but I’m under the impression that I’ll be here for even longer than anticipated and that I should just come to terms with the fact that there’s no end date in sight.
This is also why mending fences with my parents is probably a good idea.
“Boy is that the truth. I’ve never known a more stubborn group of people. I’m happy to hear you’ve made a step in the right direction.”
“All because of you. They told me you’ve been gushing about how well I’ve done in Jackson’s absence.”
“I may have mentioned it once or twice,” Cindy says nonchalantly with a shrug.
“Or more like every time you talk to them. You’ve been plotting this since the day you returned.”
“You can thank me later. Remember that they only want the best for you. Sometimes parents get so wrapped up in what they think the right path is, they forget there might be more than one.”
Do we all become instantly wise when we have babies? “I’ll try to remember that when they start lecturing me about my career choice.”
“Something tells me they might not do that. Time heals all wounds, right?”
“I won’t hold my breath, but thanks for the vote of confidence. They were a little more receptive, so who knows? Maybe they’ve come around. Either way, I’ll let you know Monday.”
“Good luck, Cici. I hope it goes well.”
“Me too. Thanks, Cindy,” I say, continuing into my office.
I’m hoping it goes smoothly. The last time we had a significant conversation, it ended badly, given we haven’t spoken in over a year.
Thank God I met Poppy when I moved to Bozeman and we became fast friends.
Her family was my surrogate over the holidays and included me as their own.
I’m sure they appreciated the distraction since their son couldn’t come home last year while on duty overseas.
Speaking of—my phone buzzes almost immediately after sitting down with Poppy’s picture lighting up the screen.
She starts talking a mile a minute the instant I answer.
“You’ll never guess what they said about you in the morning meeting.
After asking for the millionth time when you’re coming back and getting the same answer as always, Jim said, and I quote, ‘It’s going to be dark around here until our favorite ball of sunshine returns,’ and everyone chimed in or nodded in agreement.
I’m not the only one who misses you like crazy,” Poppy finishes dramatically.
“Wow, I can’t believe they said that. That’s so sweet.
Tell them I miss everyone and that I’m anxious to be back.
I’m seriously considering calling it. It’s not like Cindy couldn’t handle things without me or Jackson.
But it puts him at ease having me here, so I’m not sure what to do,” I say, honestly torn between returning to Bozeman or staying longer.
“I’d love to decide for you, but I realize you have a lot to consider. I’m excited to hear how this weekend goes with your parents.”
After getting home last night, I texted her about our run-in. “I’m more positive about it after talking to Cindy this morning. It sounds like she’s gotten through to them more than I realized.”
“I’m glad. It’ll be better to put that to bed before you leave anyway. Speaking of putting things to bed, are you and Eli still going strong?”
“We’re still friends with benefits, if that’s what you mean. Same as before I moved to Bozeman but without having to hide it this time. That’s been nice.”
After we made it home from Vegas, I avoided him for a week until Lily and Sebastian’s wedding, and then there was no getting around the inevitable.
Between the rehearsal dinner, walking down the aisle together, and the reception afterward, it was obvious where we were heading.
And that we did, straight to his bed the first night, and the second, then the third, and almost every night since.
We came to an understanding that we might as well enjoy our chemistry while we could, but with no strings attached.
And I’ve had no regrets, nor does my nether region—we’re blissfully content these days.
“I’m sure more things than that have been nice. Is he trying for more or letting it rest for now?” Poppy asks, getting to the heart of the matter.
“It hasn’t come up since we aren’t seeing other people anyway. But it’s not like he doesn’t know I’m leaving.”
“What he knows and wants could be entirely different things.”
“Possibly, but it won’t change the outcome.”
“Well, at least you’re getting all your filthy fantasies fulfilled in the meantime.”
I laugh, agreeing wholeheartedly. “Amen, sister. What about you? Are you excited about your date tonight?” Poppy finally agreed to meet a guy she’s been chatting with through the app she uses, which doesn’t happen very often—as in this is only the third one this year.
“Sort of. I’m more nervous than anything. He could be completely different in person than by text. I’m not getting my hopes up this time, that’s for sure.”
“You better go into it with a better attitude than that, or it will end up crappy. You bring about what you think about.”
Poppy groans. “Yeah, yeah. Your life motto. But I’m picky.
I need a guy who rocks my world, someone I’m so attracted to that I don’t fixate on one or two negative things.
This guy already has a yellow card, but I’m hoping he’s as hot in person as his picture so I can overlook his unhealthy obsession with Star Wars,” she grumbles, making me laugh.
“You’re hilarious, but I agree with you…. He better be one hell of a hottie to ignore that. Geez, I need to come back so we can commiserate about the male population over a bottle of wine at least once a week.”
“You definitely do.”
“Since I’m not there yet, text me ASAP and tell me how it goes,” I say sternly.
“I will. Do I even have to ask what your plans are tonight, or do they involve Eli and a certain club he owns?”
“I’m that predictable, huh?”
“I would be, too, if I had access to sex on a stick,” she says, making me cringe at the simplicity of her statement and all it leaves out.
A man who smells like him, touches like him, treats me the way he does, makes me feel treasured, and the scariest of all, causes me to want more than I can handle.
That’s the problem with the entire situation.
It’s not just physical. Admitting that to myself is hard enough—there’s no way I’d fess up out loud.
I’m already aware of how difficult it will be when I leave, and if I validate my feelings by putting words to them, it’ll be even worse.
So while I know it’s more than looks and great sex, I’ll happily leave everyone else in the dark, wishing I were too.
“You’ll find one, I’m sure of it. Keep the faith, and who knows? Maybe your date tonight will turn out amazing, and it’ll be love at first sight.”
“Don’t hold your breath. I can’t be the cause of your early demise.”
“If I don’t hear from you, I’ll assume you ended up at his place.”
“Five date minimum, remember,” she reminds me.
“Fine, I’ll assume he abducted you and call the authorities.”
“I’ll text you, don’t worry, Mom.” Her eye roll is evident in her tone.
“You better.”
“Good luck with your parents tomorrow. See ya.”
“Bye, Poppy.”
The rest of the day went smoothly, which I hope is a sign of how well the weekend will go.
At least I have nothing to worry about tonight.
Since the cat came out of the bag regarding Eli and me, it’s become routine for us to meet Lily, Sebastian, Lucy, and Justin at the club on Fridays.
We all hang out while the guys keep an eye on things during one of the busiest nights of the week, so it’s a win-win.
Braden joins us when he doesn’t have a date lined up, and this must be one of those occasions, as he’s already at our usual table alongside Lucy and her man.