Run (Disasters in Love: Book 1) (Part 1 COMPLETE)

Chapter 49

Ben
July 2, 2005

*

One month later

*

As I pull into the driveway, I begin to second guess my decision.

What if she doesn't want to see me? What if her dad shoots me?
What if she's with someone else?
What if-

Ring, ring.
Ring, ring.
Ring, ring.

Shit. This is the worst time for her to call, but if I don't answer, she won't stop trying.

"Hey, Mom." I try to sound happier than I actually am, even though she's ruining my moment.

"Joseph, hay is for horses. Hello is a proper greeting. How many times do I have to tell you?" And we're off to a great start already.

I roll my eyes, thankful she can't see me. "And how many times have I told you that it's Ben now?"

"Oh darling, we named you Joseph so I have every right to call you that. But let's not fight." We were fighting?

"Okay, Mom. What do you need? I'm kinda in the middle of something." I huff, annoyed that she's giving me a lecture at such an important moment.

"Joseph Bentley, you know better than to talk to me that way. I am your mother, I gave you life. You are never too busy to talk to me." Oh great, the mother card. I might actually feel bad, if she didn't play it every other day.

"Yes, mother." I revert back to the obedient child she loves so much.

"That's better." Of course it is. "Now, the reason I called. I added you to the list for the Fourth of July Mixer. So you will need to be here at 4 o'clock sharp to get ready."

"Mom, I told you, I have a girlfriend now." Okay, I may have stretched the truth a little, but she is about to be mine.

"Oh, right. The secret, invisible girlfriend named after an animal. What was it again, dear?" God, I hate when she's patronizing.

I grind my jaw, resisting the urge to defend myself and my Beautiful Hurricane. "It's Kat, Mom, with a K. Not like the animal. And she's very real. In fact, I'm sitting outside her house right now."

She gives a soft giggle, that sounds like tiny bells tinkling. She's perfected her pity laugh, but I know it all too well. "Oh, of course you are, dear. So be here at 4 pm on the 4th, okay?"

"Mom, aren't you listening to me? I don't need to go. I already have someone and I think she might be The One." I hold my breath, as I wait for her response.

"Oh please, like I trust your judgement. You can't even pick out your own clothes." Actually, I can. She just hates what I choose to wear, so she is constantly trying to dress me up like a preppy nerd so I can find the "perfect" girl.

Well, now that I think about it, I guess she was right, I was wearing one of Mom's choices the night I met Kat. I was even wearing the stupid nametag from the mixer I was forced to attend.

Jesus, I looked like such an idiot. I'm surprised Kat ever gave me the time of day.

"I will need to meet her and make sure she's good enough for you." Mom's voice shatters through my thoughts, forcing anger to build up within me.

"Mother." I grind my teeth to refrain from using any other words to describe her.

"Well dear, you can't expect me to just trust you on this. This is an important decision, your father and I-" That's it. She crossed the line insulting Kat, but now she's stomping on it.