But I worry it’s too late.
Because it was so easy for me to close myself off again, that after everything that happened with Rachel, I’m not sure he’d be willing to open up again and give me a chance.
I just don’t know anything anymore.
So I go for a run.
It’s Sunday morning and Ana is making turnip pancakes again, so I head out of the house and decide to run into the city and dodge tourists. She’s been very supportive of my new career. After I was outed, it was only a matter of time before I had to tell both her and Rio. They were shocked, no doubt, and Rio made me promise to write Slammed by the Single Dad one day and that she’d give me detailed descriptions of their escapades. I told her I’d think about it.
Ana of course wants some sort of credit in my books for being the world’s best roommate. I told her I’d think about that too.
Then of course there are my parents, who haven’t called me since that day. I’m fine with it. They’re blood and family, so I know that eventually we’ll reconnect. But I’m in no hurry. I can get by without their money, at least until I graduate and my loan runs out, thanks to the Amazon payments and I think it’s about time I put some distance between them and myself. I can’t grow, can’t become the person I am with them holding something over me. Besides, after talking to Dahlia the other day, I know that they’ll come around and be more meddlesome and involved than ever, so I should enjoy this break while I can.
For once the run isn’t burning up my thighs and knees and the city is still a bit sleepy in the morning sun. I cut down across the Empress Hotel and start jogging along Wharf Street when I hear someone yell my name.
“Amanda!”
The voice belongs to a kid.
I turn around and see a tall, stately looking brunette, very Kate Beckinsdale circa her romantic comedy days and Kevin, Blake’s stepbrother. While she’s dressed in a white pant suit, like she’s about to board a cruise ship, he’s dressed head to toe in plastic armor and carrying a flag with a yellow crest on it. He waves the flag at me.
“Hi,” I say, feeling awkward as they come toward me.
Kevin looks up at his mom. “Mom, this is Amanda, Blake’s girlfriend.”
I force a smile on my face, not sure if I should correct Kevin or not.
“Hi,” I say, giving her a wave. “Sorry, I’d shake your hand but it’s sweaty.”
She smiles. “I’m Angelica, Blake’s stepmother.”
“Nice shirt,” Kevin says to me with a big smile on his face.
His mother peers at my chest. “Is that Benedict Cumberbatch?” she asks incredulously.
“Mom loves him,” Kevin says, shoving his glasses up on his nose. “Our whole house is a shrine to him.”
“Oh it is not,” she says, putting her hand on his shoulder and giving me a quick smile.
“Yes it is. Remember when Blake broke your Sherlock shot glass set and you got all mad and made him buy you a new one.”
Oh my god. I see where Kevin’s nerd genes come from. I can also finally see why Blake hates Benedict Cumberbatch so much.
She keeps smiling, nervous now as she tucks her hair behind her ears. “They were a gift sweetie, that’s the only reason why I was mad.”
“And then you wouldn’t let him touch that mug that says ‘seductively deductive’.”
“That’s enough Kevin.”
He just keeps smiling, turning his attention to me. “Hey guess what day it is?”
I frown. “Sunday.”
“No, why I’m dressed like this.” He pats his armor.
“Still figured it was just a Sunday.”
Angelica looks at me. “I’m taking him to Beacon Hill Park to do his…what is it again? Comic con?”
“LAIRE,” Kevin says. He frowns dramatically at me. “Did you forget, Amanda?”
Oh shit. The fucking LARPing shit.
“Blake is doing it with you right?” I ask him.
“Yeah he’s meeting me there in a few hours,” he says. “But you also promised.”
I wince, giving Angelica a look. “Well, the thing is…”
They both stare at me. Obviously Blake hasn’t told them anything.
I sigh. I really, really don’t want to go there dressed as Phoenix from X-Men and potentially be shunned by Blake. But I’m not sure I have a choice. “Do you mind if I bring my friend?” I ask him. “She’s really good at fantasy makeup.”
“Sure!” Kevin says. He stabs his staff into the ground, the flag waving. “Come on, mother dear, our kingdom awaits.” He then turns around and starts strutting away.
“Thank you for doing this,” Angelica says to me. “It will be really good for Kevin. And for Blake.” With that, she turns around and trots after her little king.
Hmmm. Blake. Maybe she knows something after all.
There’s no time to think about it though. I continue on my run all the way to a costume shop just outside of downtown where I manage to snag a Phoenix costume that’s straight from a cosplay sex catalog. Then I run back home and break the news to Ana.
“I’ll bring the wine,” she says excitedly.
***
Two hours later, Ana and I descend on a scene of utter madness. All of Beacon Hill Park is awash with fellow freaks and geeks from all walks of life. There are children and adults, men and women and a few people who could go either way since they’re dressed like Groot or an Orc of sorts. Everyone seems to be split into groups, battling each other with weapons and shields, the air filled with cries and the dull thud of foam against foam. There’s even a beer garden in the distance and a few food trucks that I have no doubt serve up Game of Thrones-style meals.