Crew: What about the lipstick?
I drop my phone and grab the lipstick, slicking it on my lips and using my phone as a mirror. I take a selfie and send it to him.
Crew: Hot.
Me: Not too pink?
Crew: On you? It’s perfect. Come over.
Me: Right now?
Crew: We’re both awake. No one is at my house. Get your pretty ass over here.
I should not find it attractive that he says things like that, yet here I am.
Enjoying it.
Me: I need to get ready first.
Crew: I’ll send a car over.
Me: Peter?
Crew: Yeah. He’s a good dude. Knows how to keep a secret.
His words make my stomach sink. Is that all I am to him? A secret?
Does a boy buy you gifts and indulge you in your weird urges to cover his body in lipstick kisses think of you as a secret? I don’t know.
I can’t worry about it.
Me: I’ll text you when I’m ready.
Crew: I’ll keep Peter on standby. Don’t forget the camera and the pink lipstick.
I drop my phone onto my nightstand and crawl out of bed, heading for my walk-in closet. I don’t know what to wear today. Definitely not a dress, though that had been fun. And cold.
Especially when I went home last night. I was freezing by the time I walked into our apartment. The look on my father’s face was one of utter disappointment as he watched me take off my jacket, revealing my outfit.
I don’t know what Mom said to him to keep him quiet, but I’m grateful for it.
I quickly dress in jeans and a sweater, pulling my hair back into a high ponytail. I slip on my lug sole boots and exit my bedroom to find my father standing in the hall. His hands are in his jacket pockets, his gaze on the painting hanging on the wall. He glances over at me, his expression flat.
“I was waiting for you.”
There goes Mom keeping him quiet.
I pause near my bedroom doorway, almost afraid to get closer. “What’s up?”
Why is he here? It’s a Monday. He should be at work.
“What do you want to do for your birthday?” His smile is hopeful, which worries me.
I don’t know how he wants to spend it, but I want to be with Crew. Maybe not on my actual birthday, but that’s okay. I can spend the next day with him. I want it to just be me and him, doing whatever I want to do.
My entire body flushes hot at the possibilities.
“Oh, I don’t know.” I shrug, hoping I don’t have to come up with an answer at this very moment.