Yanking another shirt over my head, I threw it down with a frustrated groan. If I didn't hurry, I was going to be late to meet Elian. It had to be getting close to seven.
Mom poked her head through the crack in my bedroom door. "What are you doing?" She watched me as I tossed shirts out of my closet, adding to the ever-growing pile on the bed.
I whirled around to face the pile of rejects, placing my hands on my hips. "I hate all my clothes."
She pushed the door open and stepped inside. "Since when?"
"Since I have absolutely nothing to wear."
She sat on the edge of the bed and swept a hand over the mass of discarded shirts on my bed. "And what would you call this?"
"Nothing decent, I mean." I rubbed my hands over my hair, which was still damp from my shower. "I own too many damn graphic t-shirts. I'm a grown ass man for chrissakes."
Mom furrowed her brows. She raised her chin and sniffed the air. Her blue eyes, exactly like mine, stared at me. "Are you wearing cologne?"
I crossed my arms over my chest as a sudden wave of self-doubt swept over me. "Is it too much? Should I wash it off?"
I shook my head and headed for the door.
Mom jumped up and put her hands on my chest to stop me. "What's going on, Stevie?" she asked again, only this time she seemed more concerned. "I've never seen you act like this."
I chewed on my lip, contemplating whether I should tell her. I didn't want a rehash of my conversation with Mr. Meeks yesterday. Perhaps if I modified my delivery, I could avoid another misunderstanding. "There's a new guy in town and he asked me out."
Her mouth fell open. She sucked in a breath before squealing in delight and throwing her arms around my neck. "That's amazing, honey."
I pulled away and grabbed a random shirt to put on, in case she tried to hug me again. "It would be if I had something nice to wear."
She looked me over. "The shirt you're wearing looks great on you. The blue brings out your eyes." She brushed her hand across my cheek.
I turned to the mirror over the dresser to examine myself. I guess it worked. The fit was snug, stretching tight across my chest, but I did like the color. Not only did it match my eyes, it matched my sky blue nails. Maybe that was too matchy-matchy.
I was just about to take it off when my phone alarm blared out the sounds of a herd of charging elephants. I set the alarm, so I'd know when I had to leave. It seemed this shirt would have to do.
I stuffed my wallet and phone into my pockets before leaving my bedroom. I grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge to remedy my dry mouth and took a swig.
When I spun around, Mom stood right behind me. I jumped and squeezed the bottle, sending a spurt of water shooting out. "Jesus!"
"Are you going to tell me about this boy?" Mom's eyes slowly widened, her face open and inquisitive.
"I have to go." I took another gulp of water and handed her the bottle. "I'll tell you about him later."
"At least tell me if he's cute."
We never talked much about boys. Not like this, anyway. It was usually more abstract. She'd point out a guy in a movie, or she'd tell me someone looked good and ask my opinion.
I paused at the front door, turning to face her. "He's more than cute." My face flushed just thinking about him.
Mom beamed with unconcealed joy. Her eyes grew glassy, like she might burst into tears any second.
I didn't have the time or the brain power to deal with that right now. I grabbed my keys off the hook and said, "I'll see you later."
She followed me onto the front porch. "Have a great time, sweetheart."
I waved before climbing into my Jeep, praying that hunk of junk would get me there on time. I adored my Jeep, but it was a fickle bitch sometimes.
Thankfully, I arrived at the pharmacy without incident. I checked my reflection and fixed my windblown hair.
When I entered the pharmacy, I was greeted by Carl, the high school kid who took all the hours I didn't want. He jumped up off the stool to stand at attention behind the counter. "Welcome to Meeks' Pharmacy."
Once he saw me, he said, "Oh, it's just you." His voice oozed bored disdain.
"Nice to see you, too, buddy."
Carl sat back down and picked up his phone. "It's kinda pathetic that you have nothing better to do in your spare time than hang around your job. Don't you have friends?"
I did not mention that none of my real friends lived anywhere near this place. Or that the people I hung out with now were only in my life because we all shared the similar circumstance of staying here while the rest of our classmates left for college.
I walked up to the counter, grabbed a tin of mints off the shelf and slapped it down. "I'm meeting someone."
"Here?" Carl scrunched his nose in distaste as he rang up my purchase.
I swiped my card and scooped up the tin to stuff it in my pocket. I wasn't sure if I'd actually need them, but better safe than sorry. I'd rather not have a kiss ruined by foul after-dinner breath.
Just thinking about Elian kissing me again made my heart race. My palms turned clammy.
"So you do have friends?" Carl spoke with so much condescension in his voice.
"It's a date. Not that it's any of your business."
Carl looked me over. "Are you sure that outfit was the best choice?"
I looked down at my clothes. I'd debated about the shorts, but it was almost a hundred degrees outside and the sun was just now setting. Besides, the only place in town that required dressing up was the country club, and no one could get in there without a member accompanying them.
I didn't want to look like I'd tried too hard, even though I changed shirts six times. And this one was just a fluke.
But what if Elian made more of an effort? I didn't want him to stand out.
Maybe I should have gone with that first button-down.
"Jesus!" Carl said. "Calm down. You look like you're gonna hurl. I was just busting your balls, dude."
I glared at him. "You're such an asshole."
Before I could berate Carl too much, the phone rang. In a disinterested monotone, he answered: "Meeks' Pharmacy. This is Steven. How can I help you?"
I scowled at him for using my name again. Sometimes I think he forgot I was his supervisor. Mr. Meeks gave me the power to fire him if I saw fit.
After listening for a moment, Carl's eyes flicked to me, looking me over. "Yeah, okay. He's here. Hold on."
Carl put his hand over the mouthpiece. "Some dude is asking for you."
I held my hand out for the phone. It had to be Elian. Who else would call me at the store, rather than my phone?
Carl narrowed his eyes to a squint. "I thought we aren't allowed to take personal calls on the store phone. Isn't that what you told me when I started here?"
"Give me the damn phone, Carl," I demanded, shaking my outstretched hand.
With a roll of his eyes, Carl complied, laying the receiver in my hand. I raised it to my ear, turning to face away from Carl, and said, "This is the real Steven."
"Hey," Elian said, confirming my suspicion. "I tried to call you, but your phone went straight to voicemail."
I took my phone out of my pocket and checked it. It didn't respond to any of my prompting. I guess I forgot to charge it with everything else going on. "Sorry. It's dead. Are you running late or something?"
"I really hate to do this, but I have to cancel our date."
My heart shattered. The sick twist in my stomach gave me the urge to throw up. I took two deep breaths through my nose to steel myself. My voice was still unsteady when I asked, "Is everything okay?"
"I'm just having some troubles with the house. I can't really leave right now." He sounded strained. "Can we reschedule? Maybe tomorrow? Are you good with that?"
"I mean, yeah. That's... that's fine."
What else could I say? I had no choice.
The back of my eyes stung with the threat of tears. The disappointment weighed heavy on my chest.
"You're the best," Elian said. "But I really have to go. It's a disaster over here. Bye."
The line went dead before I even got out the word, "Bye."
When I turned back, Carl raised his brows. "Sounds like your plans fell through." To his credit, he'd dropped the obnoxious attitude.
I laid the phone on the counter. "Unfortunately."
"Any chance you'd want to take over the rest of my shift?" Carl asked, returning the phone to its cradle.
I shook my head. "I don't think so."
"I could wait till you grab dinner, if that's the issue." He sounded optimistic, which was an unusual tone for him.
That gave me an idea. "Sorry, Carl. I have to go."
I ignored his annoyed grumbling and headed across the street.
If Elian couldn't come to the date, maybe I could take the date to him. I knew where he lived. Well, I had a vague approximation. Mrs. Hill said he was in the blue house on St. James Road. Or was it St. John Court?
I could try both.