All I know is it’s supposed to be for “security” but seems to mainly affect women, even though we aren’t the ones typically committing the crimes they’re trying to prevent. If they’re so worried about safety, maybe they should donate a couple of those millions they throw around to places that help domestic violence victims. I mean, I’m pretty sure one thing most people who commit mass murder have in common is a history of violence against women . . .
But I digress.
That is a good idea, though. I reach into my back pocket to grab my phone so I can make a note to remind myself to bring it up to Quinton later when I hear my name yelled.
“Elliot!” Brynn crosses the box, her model-long legs making quick work of the short distance separating us. “If I had known you were coming, I would’ve picked you up.”
Lavonne clears her throat and gives Brynn the most wicked side-eye that I’ve ever personally witnessed outside of housewife GIFs.
“Fine. Vonnie would’ve picked you up.” Brynn waves a dismissive hand through the air. “The point still stands, though, we could’ve come together.”
Being that I don’t know Lavonne or her children—and still don’t—that could’ve been awkward. Not more awkward than my time with Donny, but awkward nonetheless.
“It’s fine.” I shrug my shoulders and take a quick sip of my drink. “It was a really last-minute thing and Donny gave me a ride.”
Thank goodness they hadn’t gotten drinks yet. They both look so shocked that I’m pretty sure if they had, I’d be doused in alcohol right now.
“Donny who?” Lavonne asks.
Because I don’t know her, I’m not sure if that’s a rhetorical question or not, but I decide to answer just in case it’s not. I point toward the seat where Donny is now tapping away on his phone.
“What the hell girl!” She swivels to Brynn. “I thought you said they were into each other?”
“I thought they were!” Brynn takes a step back before narrowing her gaze my way. “I thought you were!”
“Whoa whoa whoa!” I hold my hands up in surrender because I really have no idea what they’re talking about. “You thought I was what?”
“Into Quinton, duh. Keep up.” Brynn rolls her eyes and if they weren’t so pretty, I’d hope they got stuck back there. “You said you two were getting along.”
My head snaps back. “I did not. I said he wasn’t being as big of a jerk.”
I also didn’t tell her that we haven’t really been talking because I was the rude one this time.
“Same thing.” They both say in unison.
I wonder if this box is actually a portal to another dimension or something, because this can’t be real life.
“But if he likes her, there’s no way he would just stick her in a car with Donny’s crazy ass.” Lavonne’s voice is beautiful and bold and loud.
So Donny hears exactly what she says.
“I’m a motherfucking delight, Lamar!” he shouts from the other side of the glass. “The sooner you accept that, the sooner your life changes for the fuckin’ better.”
“Children!” she scolds him and points a manicured finger at her boys. “Remember what I said when we walked in here, I don’t want to hear anything Donny says coming out of your mouths or you’ll be grounded for a month.”
“I’ll give you each two hundred bucks if you tell your mom to shove it.” Still not moving from his seat, Donny waves two hundred-dollar bills over his head.
Now, to the immense credit of Lavonne and her parenting skills, two of her boys shake their heads no and walk away immediately. The other one—the smallest one—however, looks like he is seriously considering it.
“Jax, I wish you would. It’s been too long since I put the fear of god in someone and I’ve been waiting for a reason to do it,” Lavonne warns and even I get scared.
Please don’t do it, Jax. Please don’t do it!
And like he heard my silent prayer, or most likely, the truth in the words his mom spoke, Jax says, “No thanks, Mr. Donny,” before joining his brothers as they attack the gummy bears on the table.
“I know you’re their mom and can’t pick favorites, but Jax is totally mine.” Brynn ignores the death stare Lavonne is trying to shoot through her skull. “That kid’s gonna rule the world.”
“He’ll rule something, alright. Maybe if football wasn’t still taking over their dad’s life, he’d be around to help more. But nope! Gotta love men and their priorities, am I right?” Lavonne exhales as if her life has fully and completely exhausted her. She’s smiling and I think I’m supposed to believe that she’s joking. When I glance at Brynn, there’s a look of concern on her face too.
“Anyway, I’m so rude.” Lavonne reaches out her hand to me, successfully diverting Brynn from calling her out in front of me and diving into her possible marital problems. “Brynn told me about you and all the work you’ve been doing for Q, and I feel like I already know you, but I don’t! I’m Vonnie, so nice to finally meet you, Elliot . . . even if it’s after you saw me nearly have to end one of my children.”
Ohmygod! Lavonne Lamar just told me to call her Vonnie. A nickname! Nicknames mean we’re friends. Vonnie is my new best friend. That’s just how it works, I don’t make the rules.
“It was honestly the highlight of my day so far,” I tell her truthfully. “And you can call me Elle.”
—
LIKE FOR REAL now, I think Vonnie and Brynn might actually be my friends. I don’t know how I will break the news to Marie and Liv that they’ve been replaced, but if they really love me, they’ll understand.
We’re sitting in the seats in front of Donny and I’m picking at the chicken finger I’m too full to eat, but want anyways, when Jack’s voice comes over the speaker and the audience comes alive.
Unlike the peons in the
