Page 44 of Entangled
Lady Lionessa: Sounds good. Enjoy your day!
Mr. Maximus: You too. Buy some tape.
I sign out instead of replying. Even though I don’t know Mr. Maximus, he seems like a nice man. I feel guilty for lying to him.
Oh, what a tangled web I weave.
21
HENRY
Mood Music: “Digital Get Down” by *NSYNC
A flip phonewould’ve been acceptable, but I let the guy at the store talk me into the newest smart-whateverthefuck. When he asked if I’d backed up my contacts in their cloud, I laughed. My parents, sister, Austin, and work are the only numbers I need, and I know them by heart.
Too bad I never asked Rowan for her number.
I pace my living room, unsettled by the loneliness that clings to me. I’m used to being lonely, so why does it bother me so much tonight? Because I’ve had a taste of peace. I’d love nothing more than to curl up in bed with Rowan every night.
My new phone rings in my hand, startling me. I glance at the screen. It’s my sister. She’s not who I feel like talking to, but it’s better than being alone.
“Hello?”
“Hey, Buzz. How’s it hanging?” Dahlia snorts. “Actually, don’t answer that. I don’t need those visuals, please and thank you.”
“What’s up, Dahl?”
“Just calling to chat. Did you make a decision yet?”
“About?”
“Christmas, dingus. You’ve had plenty of time to mull it over. Mom and Dad decided to book that stupid Caribbean cruise this year, so now I’m gonna be all alone.”
“Guilt trip, much?”
“I’m serious. You’re used to being lonely. Me? Not so much. I need you to spend time with me, so I don’t sink into the depths of Christmas despair.”
“I really don’t feel like flying to New York.”
“Then I’ll come to you.”
“And do what? Talk to the trees while I work?”
“Yup.” She cackles. “Might even hug them. Those Southern sugar maples are pretty damn sexy.”
I can’t help but chuckle at her ridiculousness. “You should see the beech trees.”
“Son of a beech, I’m in. I’ll book my flight. You can pick me up at the airport.”
“Don’t you have school? When does winter break start?”
“Not till the twenty-second, but I’m planning to come to you a few days prior. Probably Monday, the nineteenth. Then I’ll leave sometime between Christmas and New Years.”
I glance at my calendar. “You told me the district is short on subs. How will they cover your classes?”
“That’s a them problem.”
“Don’t jeopardize your job to spend time with my sorry ass.” While the last thing I feel like doing is celebrating Christmas, it’s comforting to know I won’t be alone to wallow in misery this year. Then again, I wonder if Rowan has plans for the holiday. I quickly extinguish the spark of hope that flares to life. I have nothing to offer her.
