Tonya rolls her eyes. “I know that, Mom. It’s why I whispered it.”
“Well, it wasn’t much of a whisper if I heard it,” my aunt laughs. “Why don’t the two of you go out and do something? I’ll stay here and keep this one occupied.”
Layla’s giggles fill the room as she tries to say “stop” while being tickled.
“Are you sure?” Tonya never asks for help with Layla unless she has no other choice. I can only imagine how frustrating it is for those that want to keep her for no other reason than to spend time with her.
“I wouldn’t have asked if I wasn’t sure.” She smiles at us. “I planned on stealing her away for the day anyway.”
Grabbing Tonya’s arm, I start pulling her toward the door. “We’ll see you later.” Don’t get me wrong, I like living with my aunt and uncle, even if theyareearly birds, but I also need this time with my cousin. To be around someone my own age.
“You know I need to grab my purse and keys, right?” Tonya slips from my grip right before I put on my hand on the doorknob. “I’ll text Reaf and let him know you’re here so he isn’t surprised when he comes home.”
Her mom snorts, “What? Does he come home ripping off his clothes for you?”
My cousin’s cheeks turn bright red. “No,” she shrieks. “Why would he do that?”
“He totally does,” I yell, laughing. “Oh my God. I’m not ever coming over without calling beforehand again. That’s definitely an image I don’t want in my brain.”
“Shut up,” she swats my arm. “Let’s go before Mom makes this whole conversation unbearable.”
“Too late,” Aunt Lucia sing-songs. “Y’all go have fun. And warn Reaf that I’m here. Because as much as love him as a son-in-law, there are things a parent should never have to see.”
Tonya buries her face in her hands, and propels me toward the door. “Let’s get out of here.”
“Just a few seconds ago you were dragging your feet,” I tease.
“My mom wasn’t embarrassing the hell out of me a few seconds ago.” She practically runs down the stairs from her apartment to her car, and I have to jog to keep up.
* * *
When Aunt Lucia told us to go out for the day, I assumed we would be going to the mall or out to eat. I didn’t think we would end up at a hardware store of all places.
“Why are we here, again?” Whining isn’t cute, I know that. At the same time, this isn’t exactly my happy place.
“Because,” she pauses while double checking the measurements Reaf sent her. “Myhusbandwants to build me a shelf for all of my nerdyHarry PotterandBuffythings. Who am I to argue with that?” I think she just likes saying the word “husband.”
Waving my hand toward the various sizes of wood, I huff. “But, why can’t he get it?”
“He’s at work, and we’re out and about.” She doesn’t add anything else, as if that explains it all. And, I guess it does. I just don’t want to be here. How are we supposed to have girl talk in the middle ofthisstore?
Tonya reaches for a piece of wood, that isn’t on top, and begins pulling it out. She doesn’t see the box of open screws on top until it’s too late. They tumble all over the floor at our feet, and her entire face turns pink. “Oh shit,” she mutters.
A guy around our age turns the corner, no doubt to see what the noise is. An angry scowl marring his handsome face. He groans when he realizes what’s happened. “Really, Tonya? I was about to take my lunch break.”
“Sorry, Randall,” she squeaks.
Randall… This is the kid we all used to play with when we were kids. I vaguely remember seeing him at the party but I was so tuned into my own misery that I can’t recall actually talking to him.
For a split second his eyes meet mine. My. Heart. Stops. No, my heart can’t react to this guy I no longer know. I will not let another person have a chance to break me wide open again. For the tiniest moment, the frustration leaves his face. It doesn’t last long before he bends down to clean up the mess my cousin has inadvertently made.
Two
Randall
Today was onlyanother shit day until I heard something fall and hit the floor. Even if picking up Tonya’s mess means I can’t take my lunch break yet, it’s worth it. It’s worth everything to catch a glimpse ofher.
I thought Amelia had gone back home after the wedding. Since Jake and Tonya broke up almost two years ago, I don’t make it a point to hang out with her or her friends very often. The only time it happens is when Jake begs me to come along. It’s a weird dynamic, their friendship. I applaud them for making an effort. For letting Layla know that she is loved by both of them, and so many more people. All kids deserve that, even if I never received the same treatment.