How (Not) to Fall in Love(36)

Like Lucas said, eventually truth beat the crap out of denial.

I had to face the fact that Dad was gone.





Chapter Fourteen


October 28


“We have to move,” I told Sal over cold French fries in the cafeteria. “I’ve been trying to think of a way around it, but I’m stumped. I don’t know where we’ll go. Or what we’ll do with all our stuff.”

Sal blinked worried eyes at me. “What about those big storage lockers? You could rent a few of those.”

I shook my head. “Those cost money. Lots of money.”

“Oh.” She dipped a French fry in ketchup, then left it on the plate. “Maybe you could have a sale?”

“A garage sale? Sell Mom’s antiques for pennies on the dollar?”

“No,” said Sal, “a what-do-you-call-them. An estate sale.”

Wait… That was actually a good idea. I’d seen those signs in our neighborhood, like a rich person’s alternative to a garage sale. We had expensive stuff. Maybe if we could get some decent money for it, that would tide us over until Mom could get a better job and get out of Fake-Bake Pam’s clutches. I whipped out my phone and texted Charlie. “R U around today? 4:00?” I was due at Liz’s at four thirty.

His reply pinged within seconds. “Of course. C U then.”

Sal watched me closely. “Who was that?”

“My uncle. He’ll know the names of estate sale companies.”

Sal raised her eyebrows. “Do you think your mom is willing to part with all her stuff?”

I hugged myself, feeling suddenly chilled even though I wore a bulky sweater and jeans.

“She doesn’t have much choice. We can’t afford to store it. And we have to move by the end of the month.”

Sal shook her head. “You continue to amaze me, girlfriend. Darcy to the rescue.”

I frowned at her. “Somebody has to. Dad’s gone. Mom’s a wreck.” I shrugged and tried to smile.

She sighed. “Too bad there’s nobody around to rescue you. Somebody with a big heart and a hot body.”

“Please.” I rolled my eyes. “That only happens in romance books, or movies.”

“Speaking of…” She waggled her eyebrows. “What about that Lucas guy? You haven’t mentioned him lately.”

I snorted. “Where do I start? One: he is totally out of my league. Seriously, you have to meet him sometime and then you’ll see what I mean. Besides, I told you, we’re just friends. We spend most of our time joking around with each other.” I paused to steal one of her fries, ignoring her doubtful look.

“Two,” I continued, “he has a girlfriend who looks like a supermodel. Three: I have way too much stuff going on in my life to even think about getting involved with anyone.”

“Joking around, huh?” A tiny smile curved her purple-glossed lips. “In the movies, friendship leads to romance all the time.”

I snorted. “My life is not that kind of movie.” I stole another fry and pointed it at her. “Trust me. It’s better this way. I’ve gotten used to just hanging out with him. He makes me laugh. And sometimes when I’m with him, I even forget about everything else that’s going on.”

She narrowed her eyes at me. “I rest my case.”

“Sal, you aren’t listening to me.”

“Au contraire, my friend. I am listening to your voice and watching your face. And getting two very different messages.”

I shoved away the plate in frustration. “Salena. Listen to me. When I’m working at Liz’s, or hanging out with my uncle and Lucas, it just…just feels better. I can be myself with them. They know all about the Tri!Umphant! Shit Storm and don’t judge me. Or mock me. Or ask prying questions.”

She looked hurt. “Are you saying that I’m prying? That you don’t feel like yourself with me?”

“No, damn it. But you and Mark are the only people at Woodbridge who don’t see me as Loser Repo Girl. I feel like I’m suffocating here. I’m surrounded by people who have no clue what it’s like for me and my mom right now. Everyone is just going about life as usual. Pretty soon they’ll be going skiing every weekend. Hooking up and partying all the time.”

How could I make her understand how different I felt from everyone else? And how normal I felt when I was with Liz and Charlie. And Lucas.

I sighed. Sal probably did see through me when I talked about him; I couldn’t deny the way I felt around him. But all I’d told her was true. Just friends. Goddess girlfriend. Life a disaster zone. I pushed away the memory of the night he’d driven me home. I’d thought I’d felt a spark flicker between us then, but it had to be wishful thinking on my part.

“Look,” I said with an apologetic sigh. “I don’t mean to bite your head off. I need to take Toby for a run, so I can burn off some stress. Trying to figure out what to do is making me nuts.”

She nodded, as subdued as I’d ever seen her. “Just remember I’m always here, right? To talk. Or, you know, take a break and just hang out.” She winked. “Or check out hot guys on Tumblr.”

I shook my head, smiling. “I miss you, too, DQ.” I stood up. “Thanks for the suggestion about the sale. It’s a really good idea.”