Part 36 (1/2)
”You implied it,” I argue.
”No, you inferred. Cole and Ree, Bailey and I-we have nothing to do with you and Haden. Whatever you two decide to do for you is up to you. It just didn't work for us. And that's fine.”
”Have you talked to her since the breakup?”
”We talked for a few minutes last night, since we're 'friends,' but it was weird,” he answers, but doesn't elaborate. ”So have you figured out our route yet?” he asks, essentially changing the subject.
I pull out my phone and find the list of places everyone chose for the trip. ”We have seven days, right?” I confirm to make sure we won't lose time on either end of the trip.
”Yeah. I have to leave for New York the day after we get home, so there's not much room for changing things up.”
”Well, I'd like to leave early so we can hit up Roswell on the first night. That means we can reach California by the end of the next day. Right?”
”Whose idea was Roswell, anyway?” he complains.
”Braxton's, of course,” I laugh.
”I figured that had to be Cole's-wait, where did he choose?”
”Tombstone,” I smile.
He shakes his head and looks around to see what else he needs to pack before crossing his arms over his chest and turning his eyes back to me. With this head c.o.c.ked to the side and the look of concern, he has me worried.
”Are you planning on checking to see if your birth mom is still in California?”
”Actually,” I pause, but he finishes for me.
”You stalked her, didn't you?” he teases.
I shake my head, and lie across his bed and stare at the ceiling. In a week, I'll be face to face with the mom I didn't know existed. In a week, my entire world could change and I'm not sure that's a good thing. Sensing the s.h.i.+ft in my mood, he stops packing, lies opposite me, and mimics my posture.
”I'm not sure I should do this,” I say aloud.
”You don't have to do anything. If you decide last minute that you don't want to go through with it, we'll be there with you. And if you decide that you do, we'll be there. But this is your choice-there is no right or wrong answer.”
”I think my parents are hurt that I want to find her.”
”Did they say that?”
”They didn't have to,” I whisper. ”How can they not be hurt?”
”Worried, maybe. Sad? I don't know, that doesn't really seem to be their style. They want you to be happy, and if seeing this woman makes you happy, then I'm sure they want that for you.”
”I know, you're right. Maybe I'm just using this as my excuse to back out.”
He pats my hand, sits up so he can look down at me, and shrugs. ”Like I said, no right or wrong answer. You'll know when the time's right.”
”Jeez, first in your cla.s.s and suddenly you think you know everything,” I laugh.
”I do know everything,” he boasts in his loud, booming voice.
”Okay, so back to the trip.” I sit up and grab my phone again. ”I figure we can hit LA on the third day and White Sands on the way back home.”
”Whatever you say, navigator,” he looks at his watch and points outside. ”Lai, don't you have somewhere to go?”
”I'm late. I love you, Joey. Call you later,” I say in a rush as I scramble to my feet so I can get home.
”I'll be driving tonight,” I say to Haden as we leave my house.
”My car?” he asks with a tinge of apprehension.
”I was going to drive my new, or rather, my parent's old car that they gave me, but if you want me to drive yours, I'm game,” I say quickly.
”They gave you the car?”
”Yeah,” I squeal. ”Dad says I need something for school, so it's mine.”
”I guess that's a pa.s.s on driving my car,” he states as he walks toward the gray four-door in the driveway.
”Don't pretend for a second you were going to willingly let me drive your precious car,” I tease. ”Besides, I know where we're going and you don't.”
”Do I get a hint?”
He climbs into the pa.s.senger side and I start the engine as excitement and nerves fill me. I hope he likes what I have planned.
”I should make you wear a blindfold,” I tease, remembering the carnival date.
He relaxes into the seat and adjusts the radio to music he likes before taking my hand in his. I want to laugh because he has no idea where we're going, or that it will take less than ten minutes to get there. When I turn down Main I notice that he sits up a little taller, probably trying to figure it out.
”We're here,” I announce when I throw the car into park on the side of the street.
”Why are we at the gallery?” Haden's brow furrows in confusion.
”I talked to Stefon and asked him if we could have the place for the night. I want you to show me how to draw.”
”That's not really something I can teach in one night,” he answers, reaching for my hand.
”Humor me.” I stand in front of him and exaggeratedly flutter my eyelashes.
We walk inside and everything looks empty in the lobby, except for the two easels that are next to each other. Stefon told me that Haden would be uncomfortable working in front of me, but he also said it would be good for him to try.
”What are we going to draw?” he asks, looking around the room.
I point to the decorative red velvet couch against the wall and laugh. ”Can we start with something easy?” I ask.