I come back with my second hot dog and sit close to Ben. The back door slides open and Jake, Danielle, and her lovely friends come inside to escape the heat for a bit as well. Mindy only eats fruit. I grit my teeth. It’s not worth it … it’s not worth it.
“I hope you like our little family tradition,” I say to Danielle.
“I do,” she says and I know she means it. She links her arm through Jake’s. “This is so cute and I just love the beach. Plus it’s nice having access right outside the house.”
“I always felt bad for the people who had to park and walk, carrying coolers and kids, and all the other crap you bring with you.”
“I hadn’t even thought of that! But you are right.”
“We liked it growing up,” I say. “Had a few parties, lots of good memories.”
“You had parties?” Mindy says to me, raising her eyebrows. “I never heard about them.”
I slowly inhale. “Yeah, I did. It was a lot of fun.”
Jake quickly changes the subject to sports, talking to Ben about how he’s looking forward to football starting up again already. They talk about teams and someone getting banned—things I know nothing about—and I relax against Ben now that my skin isn’t hot to the touch anymore. He puts his arm around me without even thinking, hand resting on the curve of my hip. My phone buzzes; Erin just let me know she’s on her way. Dave was slow, as usual.
I warn her about Mindy fucking Abraham. Erin was shy and quiet. She still is, really. She was able to fade into the background during school and was never the subject of direct bullying.
Unlike me.
She stuck up for me when she could, even though social confrontation was right up there with facing an entire army of Daleks without the Doctor by your side. She really is a good friend, and I can’t wait for her to meet Ben. I set the phone down and rest my head against Ben’s muscular shoulder. I’m not that tired, but a full belly plus a morning spent in the sun makes me want a nap.
“So, Felicity,” Mindy starts. I open my eyes and find her perched on the edge of the couch next to her sister. She’s so fucking pretty it kills me. Then the maliciousness comes out and I can see her true face. “Do you still do that nerdy costume stuff?”
“You mean Cosplay?” I ask and sit up. “Yes, I still do that nerdy costume stuff and really enjoy it. Ben’s a fan of my nerdy costumes, aren’t you, Ben?”
Mindy’s face scrunches up like someone just ripped a stinky fart. “Ben likes wearing costumes?”
“He doesn’t wear them,” I clarify. “I said he’s a fan of my costumes.” Well, just one costume, but I’m sure he’ll like others.
“Ben, really?”
He smiles. “I feel like I shouldn’t say anything because your brother is in the room and he won’t want to know.”
“Huh?” Jake says. Then it clicks. “Oh, ew. Yeah, no details please. I don’t even want to—nope. Just stop.”
Everyone else laughs. Everyone but Mindy. I know the woman hated me in high school for some unknown reason, but why be a bitter bitch now?
“Don’t you feel a little old to be dressing up in costumes?” Mindy asks.
I’ve been asked that before, many times, actually. “No. There’s not an age limit at Comic-Con, and Cosplaying in my spare time doesn’t hinder my adulting. Well, not that much. I still go to work and pay my bills and all that. I don’t see how it’s any different than any other hobby. Some people jog and knit and do other … uh, things. I like to sew costumes.”
Mindy raises her eyebrows. “Yeah, sure. I think it’s weird.”
“Just because it’s weird to you, doesn’t make it weird,” Ben cuts in. “Felicity is right, again. I say to each his—or her—own. As long as your hobby doesn’t involve chickens, Vaseline, and a dark shed, what does it matter?”
“All I’m saying is there’s a reason hardly anyone is into that stuff.” Mindy purses her lips and leans back. Danielle is beginning to look mortified, which makes me like her a little more, even if she’s friends with Mindy and her sister.
“Do you know how many people attend Comic Cons?” I ask. “A lot. And I like that it’s not mainstream.”
“Life is too short to worry about the opinions of others,” Ben says pointedly. “Not a lot of people are brave enough to do what they love without fear of judgment.” His eyes meet mine. “It’s just one of the things I like about you.”
I’m smiling, and the background fades until it’s just Ben and me left in the room. My heart flutters and Ben’s fingers press into my skin.
“Want to go outside?” Ben asks. “I want to look at the water. It’s inspiring.”
He takes my plate, sets it in the kitchen, and we go out the front door.
“You should fire Mindy,” I say and look down the driveway for Erin’s car.
“I’ve thought about it,” Ben confesses. “But she’s actually good at selling stuff, and I hate interviewing people.”
“Meh, I guess.” I take Ben’s hand and make a mental promise to myself. No matter what, Mindy is not ruining the rest of the day. I’m not going to talk about her or bring her up. I’ll save her from drowning if need be, though I’ll wait until she goes under and ruins her hair and makeup before diving in. Other than that, I’m ignoring her.
Today is all about fun and friends, and she’s neither of those.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
“He is seriously perfect,” Erin whispers. “I can tell he really likes you.”
“I hope so,” I say back. “Because I really like him. It’s been so intense since day one. I can’t even with the passion. Like it’s just so much.” I shake my head and smile. “I just hope that he doesn’t feel this way about anyone else.”
“I don’t think he’s seeing anyone else,” Erin says and leans on the sink. “Not with what you’ve told me, and not with the way he looks at you.”
I wobble when I stand, turning to flush the toilet. We ran inside before the fireworks started to use the bathroom and gossip. “But we never had a relationship talk. He said he dates other women.”
“When did he say that?”
“Uh, before we hooked up the first time.”
“Things can change,” Erin slurs. I’ve lost count of how many alcoholic beverages I’ve had. I still got my wits about me—okay half my wits—but I would say I’m drunk. Erin is probably just as drunk and she’s had two wine coolers. Such a lightweight.
I wash my hands and run them through my messy hair while Erin uses the bathroom. I give up on my hair. I need something more substantial than my fingers, and loosen the ties on my bikini top. I kept it tight to hold the girls up, but my neck is starting to hurt. The struggle is real when it comes to these puppies. But it’s a love-to-hate problem.
Ben gets along great with everyone, and everyone likes him. I’ve never been ashamed of anyone I’ve brought home with me, but I’ve never exactly been proud of them either. And I’m not talking about his incredible good looks. I’m talking about Ben. Who he is. What he does. He’s just an all-around great guy.
The sun is almost set and I get hit with a blast of hot, humid air when we leave the house and step out onto the deck. My entire family is crowded on it, all sitting in a circle around a fire pit that is probably dangerously close to the house. But in our family, we drink and roast marshmallows wherever the fuck we want. Even if it’s against a fire code.
“I love nights like this,” Mom says. “When it’s still hot after the sun sets.”
I put my hand on Ben’s and pick up a red plastic cup from the deck floor. It might be mine. It might not be. I’m just drunk enough to not care. As long as alcohol gets in my mouth, I’m fine.