Page 40 of Broken Chords
“Us?” It comes out a question, but it’s the most pressing thing on my mind right now.
“Great.” Her voice is suddenly low and husky. “I was hoping we could get together tonight, and …”
Theandhangs between us, sending blood rushing south with all of its implications, making it more difficult than it ought to be to pull my underwear on. I clear my throat. “I’d like that.”
“Me too.” I can hear the sultry smile in her voice.
“Are there other things you’re feeling less great about? You said your mom called, and you yelled at her. Is everything okay?”
A heavy sigh comes over the phone. “That, well … it could be worse. She was making demands about the way she thinks things ought to be. I told her no. She wasn’t happy, but I think I might’ve finally gotten through to her. Time will tell.”
“Do you want to talk about it?”
“Not really. Not over the phone. And Lauren and I have kind of talked it to death right now.”
“Okay.” I swallow against a wave of disappointment. But I get it. I wouldn’t want to talk about my family problems over the phone in the middle of a restaurant either. It still stings that she’ll talk to Lauren about it and not me, though.
“Hey.” Her voice is soft, cajoling. “I told you enough about my mom last night that I’m sure you can piece a few things together. You know she doesn’t want me here. She’s still pressuring me to come back with them, and …” She trails off, swallowing audibly over the phone. “Anyway, I told her in no uncertain terms that I wouldn’t be doing that, and that she needs to stop trying to bully me into doing what she wants. And that if she wants to call and talk to me about my life and see how I’m doing, that’s fine, but if she’s just going to browbeat me some more, I’m going to block her.”
I blink, my head jerking back in shock. She’s said that she’s tempted to do that before. But I didn’t realize she was serious. “Wow,” I say at last. “What’d she say to that?”
Charlie snorts. “I didn’t give her a chance to say much after that. I hung up. Because letting her have the last word makes her think she’s still in control of the situation. And the reality is that she isn’t. Not this situation. Not anymore.”
“Good. It sounds like you’re happy about that.”
She lets out a long, slow breath. “You know, I really am. I think I’m happier than I’ve been in … a long time. Ever, maybe. Between you and us and meeting your family. And now finally dealing with my mother. I feel like …” She pauses, and I wait, letting her figure out how she wants to finish that thought. “I feel like I’m finally the one steering my life. And like anything’s possible. It’s wonderful.”
“That is wonderful.” I pitch my voice lower, full of suggestion. “We should celebrate.”
Her husky laugh is her first response. “Celebrate, huh?” I can see her arching one eyebrow as she says that, and I grin.
“Yeah.”
“I think I know how you want to celebrate.”
I reach down and adjust myself. “Dinner tonight? I’ll practice beforehand so we can spend the whole evening together. Do you think that’ll work for you?”
“Dinner where?”
“I’m not sure yet. Does it matter?”
That low, husky laugh again. “I guess not. I’ll get everything done before dinner, then. What time?”
“Let’s say six to give us both plenty of time for practicing and homework.”
She lets out a groan. “Crap. I didn’t do my assignment for this afternoon’s English class.”
“Better finish your breakfast soon and get to work. See you tonight.”
“Sounds good. Love you.”
A wide smile stretches across my face at her easy use of those words. “Love you too.”
