Ugly Secrets, Pretty Lies

Twenty-six

When school ended, Thomas was waiting for me at my locker. I stopped a few feet away and just looked at him, feeling my heart flutter like every time I came near him. He leaned against my locker, arms crossed. His dark hair was messy and looked very run-through. He wore a long-sleeve navy blue shirt, baggy dark brown-almost-black jeans, and grey sneakers. His head was turned the other way, facing away from me. I stood there dumbly, staring at my boyfriend. I still can't get over the fact that he's my boyfriend.

As if he had heard me, Thomas turned his head and looked directly at me. A small smile graced his features. I unglued my sneaker-clad feet from the floor and walked over.

"Hey," Thomas said, wrapping his arms around my waist. He pecked me on the cheek and I felt a blush worming it's way to my cheeks.

"Hey yourself," I said, slinging one arm around his neck. "Are you giving me a ride home today?"

"Of course," he said, drawing his body away from my locker. "Ready?"

I smiled. "Yes." We walked hand-in-hand out the doors. The few people in the hall looked at us, their gaze following us through the doors. "It feels a bit creepy when everyone looks at us like that," I said.

Thomas nuzzled my neck briefly. "They're just jealous, babe. Don't know how I snag a beautiful girl like you."

I blushed again. "Stop that. I'm not beautiful."

Thomas shook his head, smiling. "So modest."

I smacked him playfully on the shoulder, wrinkling my nose. Thomas's smile widened. He took out his car keys and pressed a button. The doors to his dark green Jeep Cherokee flashed and made a ping. Thomas opened the door for me. I smiled at him and slid into the seat. He shut the door and got into his side of the seat. Thomas buckled up, gunned the engine, and moved out of the parking lot, starting on the road home.

We sat in silence for most of the ride. Thomas pulled up to my house and parked in an empty space. I unbuckled my seatbelt, opened the door and got out. I poked my head back in and smiled warmly at Thomas. "Thanks for the ride."

Thomas flashed me a quick smile. "Any time." 

I shut the car door and Thomas drove off quickly. Without looking back, I unlocked my front door and went in, closing and locking it behind me. I clumped up the steps and went into my room, dropping my backpack on the floor. Then I went back out.

"Mom! I'm home!" I yelled.

The door to Mom's room opened and Mom stepped out, her dark brown hair piled on her head in curlers. She had on a thick, fluffy pink robe and bunny slippers. When she saw me, she smiled. "Quinn, darling. How was school?"

I smiled slightly. "Fine. How was your day?"

Mom came over to me and ruffled my hair, messing it up. I let her do it. "My day was fine as well. Also, I have something to tell you."

I looked at her curiously. "What?"

"We have reservations at Demiche's for tonight at seven. Make sure you're ready by six, Quinn."

I stared at her. Did I hear right?

"But, Mom, Demiche's is expensive."

Mom waved a hand, dismissing it. "Actually, I didn't make the reservations."

"Then who did?" Who in their right mind did?

"My boss," Mom said simply.

I felt my jaw drop to the floor. Her boss? What's going on?

"Your boss?" 

Mom giggled. She never giggled. "Yes, my boss. Technically though, he isn't my boss, but he sort of is. Now close your mouth before you catch flies."

I closed my mouth but continued staring at her and voiced my thoughts. "Mom, you're not... not seeing your boss, are you?"

At this, Mom blushed a furious red. 

Oh my God.

It's confirmed. Her blush just confirmed the fact that she's seeing her boss. 

Wait. She has two bosses.

"Which boss? The diner one or the office one?"

"Office," Mom answered quietly.

I tore my eyes from her and looked up at the ceiling. "So you're seeing your 'boss'."

"Yes, dear. And something else. I'm no longer working at the diner."

I looked back at her and smiled weakly. "That's actually good, Mom. I never liked the boss anyway." 

Mom laughed and moved down the stairs. I followed behind her. She went into the kitchen and opened the fridge. She put a hand on her hip and frowned. "We're going to have to go to the market soon."

"Damn right. I need more chocolate," I agreed, drawing out a chair and sitting down.

Mom rolled her eyes, taking out a can Coke and closed the fridge door. 

"What's the name of your boyfriend?" I asked.

"His name is James. He's a rich guy though."

I raised my eyebrows. "Won't he think you're dating him for the money? Does he know we're... you know... that we won't have a lot of money?"

Mom looked at me. "Honey, he already knows. I told him that when I first got the job. At first, he refused to hire me because I wasn't 'what he was looking for'. But it worked out in the end." Then Mom paused and winked at me before continuing. "After that, he really got on my nerves."

"But he asked you out."

Mom beamed. "He asked me out. We went on our first date a few weeks ago."

I looked at her. "And you didn't tell me?!"

"Sorry! I was busy!"

I gave a very unladylike snort. "Busy."

Mom ignored me and sat down opposite me. She popped open the can and took a long drink. She put the van down and wiped her mouth with a tissue from the tissue box on the kitchen table. "James is divorced."

I looked at Mom. "Divorced," I repeated.

"Yes. He and his son are going to be at Demiche's too, of course."

"He has a son? How old?"

"I haven't met his son yet."

"That's not an answer," I grumble.

"I'm going to get dressed now," Mom announced, getting up.

"What, you need two hours to get ready? It's only four!"

"It's never too early to get dressed when you're going out."

"Can I pass on this?" I yelled, hearing her steps on the stairs.

"No!"

I sighed. Great. I'll rather get hit by a car then go to dinner with Mom, her boyfriend, and her boyfriend's son. Probably some smug, spoiled brat. Boy, little did I know of the surprise waiting for me tonight.