Tom handed me two sets of business cards. One had my personal contact info, and the other ran everything through Tom’s office. One I would give to hot chicks, and the other I’d give to stalkers.
With that, we all went to the living room for coffee—hot chocolate for me—and butterscotch pie. I reminded Mary of Tom’s slight about her cooking and that if she wanted to leave him, to look me up. That got a pillow thrown at me from Tom, and a kiss from Tracy that made me forget all about Mary.
Tracy wanted to come over and spend some quality time, but I begged off because I needed to study. The other problem I had was I was a little horny, and if Tracy came over, I might not have been a gentleman. I wasn’t sure if her willpower would have held up. We agreed she could come over Thursday night and we would pack for my trip.
Before we left to drop me off, we had a talk about the Christmas Dance. She already knew everything about Jennie. I’d come clean with Tracy on everything I had been up to since we broke up.
Tracy wasn’t thrilled about me going to the dance but recognized the request had come directly from Teddy Wesleyan. She gave me permission to sleep with Jennie. I tried to explain I wasn’t interested in sleeping with Jennie. Tracy’s response was to roll her eyes at me.
We also talked about Sandy Range and her infatuation. To my amazement, Tracy just told me to have fun with her. She thought that from everything I’d told her, Sandy was a virgin. Tracy told me not to reject her because it was a big step for her to ask someone she had a crush on to take her virginity. She warned me not to say anything stupid like I loved her, and to make sure that Sandy knew that I had a girlfriend.
To my further amazement, she brought up my Florida trip. She told me I could be with Kara if I wanted. She and her family were going skiing, so she couldn’t go. She suggested that I invite Beth, Suzanne or Cindy. I think she just wanted to send someone to keep me occupied and away from Kara.
I was a little worried that Tracy was taking this open relationship thing a little too far. If I could, I would prefer to just be with her.
Chapter 20 – Range Sports
Friday December 6
I WAS UP EARLY BECAUSE Mr. Hill wanted to get in two shoots before we had to leave by 11 so we could make our flight. Tracy had come over last night and helped me pack. I found out the ‘no sex’ rule didn’t include manual stimulation. We came close to breaking the rule, but somehow I was able to slow things down.
I grabbed my bags and went downstairs. Mom’s bags were by the back door, so I dropped mine off next to hers. She and Dad were making breakfast. I broke down and got a cup of coffee. I hadn’t yet acquired a taste for it, but I liked the effect. Dad gave me a kiss on the cheek.
“I thought Tracy was seeing you off this morning?”
“That was the original plan, but we’re taking it slow. We decided it was best if we said goodbye last night.”
Mom came over and put her hand on my forehead.
“He doesn’t have a fever.”
I was glad Mom hadn’t lost her sense of humor.
“Not to change the topic, because this one is so much fun, but when we get to Utah, do you want to bail on the photo shoots?” I asked Mom.
“What are my options?” Mom asked.
“Skiing, shopping, relaxing by a fire and reading a book, or sitting in a hot tub. I don’t know, but a few of my photo shoots are outside. The high for tomorrow is supposed to be 23 degrees. I’m sure that Devin will have some ideas,” I offered.
I didn’t want to feel responsible for Mom getting any sicker.
“I might go to a couple of your outdoor shoots, but I think I might not survive for long if it’s going to be that cold.”
Dad looked concerned.
“Don’t push it. Kendal will be with David, so take it easy.”
She gave Dad a kiss.
“I will, Honey.”
Kendal must have felt like part of the family because she just stuck her head in the back door.
“David, grab me a coffee and let’s get this show on the road.”
Mom got her a coffee and I carried our bags out.
We hustled and were a little early for the Hill Marketing newspaper-flyer shoots. I had Kendal talk to Mr. Hill again about him giving me clothes from the shoot. Clare had told me that in Chicago that was not usually the case. Mr. Hill explained to Kendal that they shipped the clothes in, and if they sent them back they were considered used, so they just wrote them off as an expense. Mr. Hill said they figured that since I showed up on time, and wasn’t a prima donna, it was a perk he was willing to provide.
We finished the two shoots and Kendal signed off on the photos. We no longer had to hassle with paper checks. Hill Marketing had set us up for direct deposit, and Kendal worked it out so I would see the funds in my business account the next business day.
We arrived at the airport with time to spare. I got our bags checked and looked at our tickets. I was in first class for the nearly four-hour flight. Of course I checked my mom’s ticket, and she was in coach. She and Kendal had been relegated to the back of the bus.
“Here, I’ll switch with you. I’ll bug Kendal for the flight and you relax in comfort,” I told my mom.
Kendal was going to object, but I gave her a look.
“With your long legs, you’ll be cramped in coach. I’ll be fine,” Mom told me, as she hugged me in thanks.
“Mom, you haven’t been feeling well. I’m more than happy to switch seats.”
I let my concern show in my voice. She gave me the mother look that will freeze that bad idea in your head.
“I’ll make you a deaclass="underline" if I don’t feel well, I’ll switch with you. They bought you that ticket because they need you rested.”
There was no arguing with Mom when she got like this, so I let the matter drop.
We had a few minutes, so Mom and Kendal went to buy something to read on the flight. I went to our gate and found a seat. Putting my earbuds in, I used my Spotify app to listen to music. In my own world, it barely registered when two people sat down on either side of me. They both leaned in and squeezed my knees, getting my attention. I almost jumped out of my seat.
I jerked my earbuds out to find Allison and Lindsey, two of the models from Chicago, smiling at me. I gave them a surprised, “Hi.”
“Hey, Dreamboat, where are you headed?” Lindsey asked.
“I’m off to Utah to do the Range Sports gig. How about you girls?”
I was trying to act cool, but these two were looking fine and getting into my personal space, acting all flirty.
“Allison is going to New York, and I’m off to LA,” Lindsey supplied as she teased my thigh. Then she asked what they came over for: “Everyone’s dying to know: when are you working with Adrienne?”
“A couple of gossip hounds, are you?”
They looked at each other and grinned, then nodded to me.
“Okay, now this is just between us.” I leaned in conspiratorially. “Adrienne and I are on the outs. She found out I’m taking Hannah Minacci to Prom. I need some ideas on how to win her back.”
The two models looked at me with their mouths open. Mom picked that moment to make her appearance.
“I swear to God, I leave you alone for two minutes and I find you with two gorgeous women. Are you trying to piss off Hannah? She about flipped out when you put Adrienne in a lip-lock.”
“Hey, Allison. Hey, Lindsey. I see you’ve met David’s mom,” Kendal said as she walked up.