Page 46 of Old Habits

Chapter 14

Jovie

Fairy tales are stupid.

They’re just not realistic. I’m not just talking about the personified animals or the magic fairy dust or anything like that. Just the idea that someday, a handsome prince is gonna show up out of nowhere, solve all my problems, and whisk me away to some kingdom somewhere where I’ll want for nothing for the rest of my days.

It sounds awfully similar to what people say life in Clover is supposedly like.

Welcome to Clover, Kansas! The Forgotten Paradise.

Move here. Fall in love. Get married in the town square.

Buy yourselves a two-bedroom bungalow on First Street and nine months later, fill it with a baby or two. Or three.

Kick back. Relax. Because nothing bad ever happens in Clover freakin’ Kansas.

This is Paradise.

But what do Clover and fairy tales really have in common? They’re both fiction.

And who the hell looks this good in a bright blue dress, anyway?

I flick the toy box and it tumbles off the shelf to the floor.

Take that, Cinderella.

Also, your shoes are ugly and unfeasible.

Okay, I might be projecting some issues on innocent cartoon characters right now but it’s a hell of a lot better than obsessing over that kiss.

I bend down to pick up the box, casually turning it over to check for any noticeable dents before placing it back on the shelf.

“Jovie!”

I poke my head around the corner. “Yeah?”

Mr. Trin holds up the phone by the register. “You have a call.” I walk over to take it but he pulls it out of reach. “You’re a little jumpy today,” he says.

“No, I’m not.”

He squints and drops the phone into my open palm.

“This is Jovie,” I say into it.

“Hey, ‘cuz. It’s Tucker.”

“Oh, hi. What’s up?”

“Just calling to let you know that that part finally came in and your car is ready.”

I bite my inner cheek, suddenly remembering the crushing bill I’m about to stick on my credit card. “Cool. Thanks, Tucker. I’ll come by and pick it up on my break today.”

“See you then!”

I hang up and turn around to go pretend to straighten more crap as Mr. Trin speaks up.

“You can go now,” he says.