Wanna Be My Date (continued)

“Umm, that’s super sweet Kee, but I’ll do pics at my house and you guys can head over there after.

Okay?” she politely declined.

“Mom, come on. You and Mrs. Patts really need to squash whatever beef you have and just tough it out for us kids. No way my best friend’s mom should be such a sore topic of conversation,” Baylen said, giving my mom a slight squeeze on her shoulder.

“NO BAY, NOW DROP IT!” she screamed, making all of us pause for a second.

“Sorry, I don’t mean to yell, but you know Kyren and I do not get along and that’s the end of that. I won’t keep discussing this,” she said, wiping her area and taking her coffee to the front porch swing after hugging Baylen quickly.

Mom doesn’t like to yell at us. I really think it hurts her heart when she does.

I will never understand why they hate one another so much, and mom won’t talk about it. So, I let her have her moments and don’t pry too much into her past. However, I did ask my dad once and even he didn’t know. He said all he knew was that they graduated and cut ties about a week after that. It all seems so odd. It has to be over a boy right? Mr. Patts went to Louisiana State University with my mom and Mrs. Kyren. Perhaps he was the boy they fought over. He also doesn’t care for my mom. He actually has yelled at her a few times in front of us kids when I was younger.

I guess I can’t be too concerned about hypothetical situations when I have a real one on my hands. Do I say yes to Jeff and will I even have fun if we go together? I had to make a decision because school started in three days and he would want to know by then I’m sure.

“Case, grab breakfast and head to my room for a debriefing?” I joked.

“Already ahead of you,” she said, toting two plates full of food towards my room.

When we got into the room, she squealed and made an unearthing sound. She gets way more excited about this stuff than I do, but I’ll try for her. Seeing her little round face light up with happiness was totally worth it.

“So, you are saying yes, right? You have to! That way if Cyman asks me we can double date. He texted me this morning to see if I was coming to the river house and I told him yes. I hope he plans to ask me there,” she declared.

“Oh my gosh Case, I really want this for you,” I said cupping her face in my hands like we did when we were really little.

“I do want to go with Jeff, but now this Keegan stuff is swirling in my head. You know?”

“Did he ask you to the dance or send you flowers James?” Casey snapped, “No he didn’t and do you know who did? Motherfucking Jeff Chandler. So that’s who you should be concerned about. Not some possible date that may never happen. Plus Keegan turns 16 next week and he already keeps calling you kid names and treats you like a baby. I misread that situation last night. He obviously loves you, but not in that way. More of like a brother-sister kind of love.”

“Sheesh, you changed your tune really quickly! I thought you said he LOVED me, loved me,” I joked.

She rolled her eyes and threw a pillow at me.

“Seriously though James, call Jeff and give him an answer. Please, please, please,” Casey begged.

Her pouty little face worked on me way too often. I really need to try and swerve it when I see it coming.

I looked at my phone for several seconds and then I walked over to the mirror to fix my hair and pajamas. I think looking good will help me sound more confident. I picked up my phone and dialed his number from the card that came in the flowers. 388-227-3870… Oh my goodness, it’s ringing. It’s actually ringing. I’m doing this. The ringing stopped. I heard his voice. It sounded so different today. My stomach instantly got butterflies and I knew this was the right decision.

“Hello…” Jeff answered.

“Hey, hi, umm…wassup. So, it’s Brees. I got the flowers you sent me and they are beautiful. It was really nice of you to check on me,” I stuttered.

“Of course. The prettiest girl in Huffington High gets hurt and couldn’t enjoy the beach. I felt so bad. Did you umm, read the card by chance?” he asked coyly.

“Yes I did and…” I hesitated.

We both sat quietly for what seemed like forever. Speak Brees! What are you doing? I was literally frozen. I couldn’t even utter one word. The word that my heart was feeling excited for at the moment.

Casey kicked my leg and mouthed the words, “Homecoming…yes.”

“I’m sorry…umm lost my train of thought. I would love to go to the dance with you. I think it would be super fun,” I finally managed to say.

“Awesome! I am so happy that you said yes. Some of us are getting a limo if you and your friends want to come, you are all invited,” he finished.