Page 23 of The Bad Boyfriend Curse
“I’m not telling her.” My friends raise their eyebrows at the same time, making me laugh. “I’m not breaking any of her rules. They said I could bring someone, and no one said I needed approval for who that person is.” I smile. “I can’t wait to see Jason’s face when he realizes I brought one of the notorious Jacobs brothers.”
“Maybe he won’t care,” Adanna says. “Send pics, though. I want to see what your bad boy looks like.”
“Of course. I’ll show you the pics in person on Sunday.”
“It’s too bad you won’t be here Saturday,” Keeley says. “We’re going to the art gallery!”
They talk excitedly about their Saturday plans to see an exhibit at the Art Gallery of Ontario, and then lunch in Chinatown. I hate that I’m missing it. I’d much rather be eating dumplings with my friends than be at the country club. When I’m with my Toronto friends, I feel like I can just be me. Notthe criminal me, or the rich-kid me. The real Meera, who doesn’t seem to really fit anywhere in Cherrybridge.
Nani video-calls me after dinner. After she tells me about her new book club and about how her job as an admin at a bank is going, she asks me if Mom and I are having a lot of quality time in Cherrybridge.
“Not really. I’m at the park every day, and she’s taking tennis and golf lessons. I haven’t seen her much—except at dinner.” When she has to play the perfect housewife every night, apparently.
“You should take tennis lessons too! It’s good to try new things.”
“I’m doing physical work at the park every day. I do not have the energy for tennis, Nani.”
She gives me a shrewd look. “You are staying out of trouble, right?”
I roll my eyes. “Of course.” I pause and take a breath. “Hey, Nani, if Mom’s okay with it, I can still come and live with you this summer, right?” It feels weird not to tell her about my plan to get sent home, but I don’t want her to tell Mom. I’m really not used to lying to Nani or Mom.
“Meera, your mother wants you there so she can spend the summer with you. This is your chance to get closer.”
I really doubt that’s going to happen. We haven’t been close for seventeen years. It feels a little too late now. “Okay, but if she changes her mind?”
“Yes. Family is always welcome.” She changes the subject,telling me about how she made biriyani in a pressure cooker the day before yesterday, but Nanabapa didn’t like it, so she gave away the pressure cooker. I tell her how good I am at pruning trees now, so I can do the ones in her backyard in the fall.
By the time I get off the phone, I’m feeling pretty good. I may be feeling out of place here, but my home, Toronto, is still waiting for me.
CHAPTER TENThe Rock God
On Friday after dinner I’m in the living room watching TV and trying to ignore Mom and Jason talking in the dining room. Mom’s stressing about catering or something for the party tomorrow, and Jason keeps telling her the club can handle it and not to worry.
“Of course I’m going to worry!” Mom says. “You do realize that every one of those wives is waiting for me to make a mistake, don’t you? This is the first major event that I’m hosting as your wife. They already barely accept me because of my background.”
I frown. Does “background” mean the fact that she’s Indian? Or was a teen mom? Or has never been a part of high society until now?
I don’t say anything and keep eating the caramel popcorn Mom bought me at the mall yesterday. I let Mom choose my dress for the party, and she picked one that I don’t really like much but didn’t fight her on. I’ll only have to wear it once anyway.
“They’ll grow to love you, Neelam,” Jason says.
Grow to love her? Does everyone really hate her now? I don’t understand why she cares what a bunch of societyhousewives feel. I don’t ever remember my mother caring what people think of her.
My text tone goes off. It’s Sadie. I read the message.
“Hey, Mom. Sadie’s asking if I can go out tonight,” I say as I get up and join Mom and Jason in the dining room.
“With whom? And where?”
Rolling my eyes, I text Mom’s questions to Sadie.
Sadie texts back.
Me, Liv, James, Kaitlyn, Quinn & Reagan
We’re gonna hang at Grandma’s but Kaitlyn wants to go to Donut Den later for their open mic night
Don’t tell your parents about Donut Den tho
