Overnight Sensation(70)

My parents follow me gamely around the big structure. “I thought we’d go out for brunch tomorrow morning,” my mother says.

“Sure,” I say, mentally crossing off the leisurely morning I’d planned in bed with Heidi. But my parents only get two or three nights with me during the season. I always spend a week in Minnesota with them during the summer. Sometimes we rent a cottage in Ontario, near the place where I grew up.

I love my family, even if they aren’t good at planning their visits. Although I suspect that’s intentional. Castros are nosy. Every one of us.

When we round the front of the building, I spot Heidi outside. That ought to be good news, except she’s still wearing her skimpy Ice Girls uniform and I can see her shivering from fifty paces away.

“Hey!” I say, breaking into a trot. “What are you doing out here wearing that?”

“It’s the r-r-rules,” she says, her teeth chattering together. “We have to work the d-doors.”

I don’t even think, I just pull her against my chest. “Jesus. Do they know it’s forty degrees out here?”

“The g-girls are allowed to stand inside when it dips below freezing.”

“That’s some serious bullshit,” I grumble, tugging my trench coat off and wrapping it around her. “Take my coat. Your lips are blue. Jesus.” I pull her hands into mine, and they’re like two popsicles.

“N-no need,” she says with a shiver. “Mine will do. I can punch out now and change.”

“Jason?” My mother comes huffing towards us. “Do we get to meet your friend?”

Heidi peers around my shoulder. “Wait. Are those your—”

“—parents,” I confirm. “They surprised me tonight.” And I’m sorry in advance for all the unwanted attention you’re about to receive.

Heidi steps back and smiles politely, prepared to greet them properly. But then she looks down at her getup—the tiny, tight sports bra and nonexistent skirt. Her smile fades. “Oh Lord,” she says under her breath.

“Mom, Dad,” I say brightly. Because Heidi has nothing to fear from my parents. “This is Heidi. She needs to change out of her work clothes before you can chat her up. But say hello before she freezes solid.”

“It’s l-lovely to m-meet you,” my girl says in her perfect charm-school voice. She pulls my coat more tightly around her. “If you’ll just excuse me for a m-moment…”

“Oh, sweetie!” my mother squeals, lunging for her, and hugging Heidi so tightly I’m a little worried for her spine. “It’s amazing to meet you! Jason is a terrible son, obviously, because he failed to tell us he was dating such a delightful, beautiful girl.”

“Well, um,” Heidi says, her charm-school training failing her as she meets my gaze with nervous eyes. “It’s, uh, new.”

I smile apologetically. No girl should have to meet the parents until a relationship is at least forty-eight hours old. That ought to be a rule.

“This is Matheus, Jason’s father. He’s just as excited to meet you, but I probably won’t let him get a word in edgewise.”

“Not an exaggeration,” my father mumbles, shaking Heidi’s cold hand.

“It’s lovely to meet you both,” Heidi says again. “Let me just change out of this. I’m not usually dressed like a member of the Hooters tennis team.”

I bark out a laugh, and wrap an arm around poor Heidi. “You are a great sport, do you know that?” I’m as attracted to her attitude as I am to her rocking body.

My mother watches us, her face in an expression of rapture. “I can’t believe this. It’s been years since I’ve seen him like this.” Jesus, I knew she’d make a big deal out of me being with someone again. “Matheus! Isn’t this amazing?”

“Well—”

“We have to celebrate!” my mother declares.

“Can you let the poor girl put on clothes?” I beg, cuddling Heidi a little closer. Then I release her. “Go on. Make a run for it.”

“Yes!” Mom agrees. “Sorry, honey. Go warm up. Or you’ll catch your death!” My mother takes a breath. Then she realizes what she just said.

Then she bursts into tears.





26





Heidi


Jason shoos me toward the doors and hugs his sobbing mother. “Take a breath, Mom,” he says. “You’re scaring Heidi.”

“But it’s just so wonderful!” Mrs. Castro sobs.

Oh, jeez. I leave them behind and dart for the Ice Girls’ dressing room. I can’t believe I met Jason’s mother in an ill-fitting Ice Girls uniform. Thanks, Daddy. Thanks a whole lot. Could this night get any worse?

It takes me twice as long to get dressed as it should, because my fingers are numb and slow. I have trouble zipping my jeans and buttoning my coat.

“Good job tonight,” Lydia rasps. “Bring food and a thermos of coffee next time, okay?”

“Will do,” I say between shivers. We don’t get a dinner break, and I didn’t know they’d try to freeze me to death. Live and learn. Lydia tried to share her food with me, but I wouldn’t take it from her. I’ll be fine, I kept saying.