Page 34 of Reckless Love
IT’S A PARTY
RHODES
Now
“What time is Elle coming?”my mom asks as she walks into the room. “Soon, I hope,” she adds. “You’ve got one more tub to bring in before she gets here.”
Large, red containers have taken over my house. Levi is sitting in the only one I’ve emptied and Ifeel a twang of guilt that I haven’t decorated before now. I’ve been so upset about where things stood with Elle and me, I almost didn’t decorate for Christmas.
“Did the two of you talk about a time?” I ask.
She gives me an exasperated look. “No, I hoped the two of you would take care of those details. What do I have to do? Force you guys to communicate? What's going on, honey? Why were things so weird with the two of you last night? And don’t tell me it’s the cheerleading business. That isn't adding up, because I barely had to do anything to convince her to go with you last night.”
“It is adding up. Thank you, by the way, for talking her into going with me last night.” I grin at her and she rolls her eyes but smirks, looking pleased with herself.
“Text her and see what time she's coming over,” she says.
“I’m trying to respect her wishes. She doesn’t want to get in trouble and I don't want to make her lose her job.”
“Don't you think if you talked to the head of that cheerleading team and told her Elle is your child's godmother, and she's been your best friend for years, that she'd get over herself and not make a big deal about this?”
“We've already tried that. Well, Elle has tried that, and it hasn't worked. I'm lucky Elle went with me to the wedding…I’ll be surprised if she comes back.”
The way she bolted when I pulled into the driveway last night. I’d barely parked and she was already to her car. It made me question every bit of progress I’d thought we’d been making all night.
“I’m not going to push it. I, uh…I pushed things with her before Thanksgiving and things still aren’t quite back to normal.”
“What happened before Thanksgiving?”
“Nothing.” I look up at the ceiling. “Let it rest, Mama. We'll be lucky if we see her tonight.”
My phone rings and it’s my guard, Mitch.
“Hey, man,” I say.
“Elle Benton is here.”
Mitch is a recent hire and further proof that things haven’t been normal around here. The other guards know to let her through.
“You can always let Elle through the gate,” I tell him. “She’s on the list.”
“Got it,” he says.
The doorbell rings a couple minutes later and Levi runs next to me to help open the door. When we open it, Elle looks tense. I open it wider.
“Come in. What's going on? Why do you look so stressed?” I ask.
She hugs Levi and he runs off to grab one of the Christmas decorations to show her.
“Bernard told my parents that you and I are dating and now they’re—” She flings her arm out and shakes her head. “I can't believe I did that last night. Rhodes, what was I thinking?”
I want to say,You were realizing I’m the only man for you, but of course, I don’t.
Instead I say, “You were thinking you wanted that jerk off your back.”
She sighs, “Yes, I was.”
“You're just too nice. Why did he blab that we’re dating to your parents? It's something that should have come from you.”