was laced with sarcasm. “For real, though. Kyle is my boy. I’d do anything for that kid. No matter what’s happened, he’s always made sure we’re in it together. But it can be tough being best friends with the star of the town.”
I nodded. “I know what you mean. Nell is like that. She doesn’t even realize it— she’s just naturally cool. Everyone likes her. She’s popular, and she doesn’t even know it.”
Suddenly it was full dark and we were still spinning around corners on dusty dirt roads, Jason’s headlights cutting a swath in the darkness. Panic hit all at once as I realized I had no clue what time it was.
I dug my phone out of my purse frantically, then let my head slam back against the seat as I saw the readout: 10:10 p.m. “Shit, shit,sh-sh-sh- shit !” I felt tears welling up. “Stop the truck, Jason. Stop, please. Right now.”
Jason skidded to a stop and turned to look at me in concern. “What’s wrong?”
I swallowed hard. “I—I didn’t tell Father I was leaving with you. He thinks I’m with Nell. I was supposed to check in at ten. If I call him now, he’ll demand to talk to Nell, and he’ll be mad. I’m in s-so- so much trouble, Jason.”
“It’s only ten minutes, what’s the big deal? It’s not like we’re doing anything wrong. We’re just driving around.” Jason genuinely didn’t understand.
I shook my head, breathing slowly to calm myself down. “You didn’t hear what I said. I told him I was with Nell. I lied .”
“Why’d you lie?”
I shrugged, not quite sure I could explain. “He wouldn’t let me go if he knew I was with you. I’m only allowed to go out with Nell and Jill, and even then, we’re not supposed to be hanging out with boys. If he knew I was alone with you? He’s gonna kill me. Besides, he wouldn’t approve of you. I just know he wouldn’t.” I didn’t think about how that last part would sound to Jason, but I felt awful as soon as I saw the hurt on his face.
“He wouldn’t, huh? Guess I get that. Not really the kind of guy you bring home to Daddy, am I?” His voice was bitter.
I touched his arm. “It’s not like that, Jason. I didn’t say I didn’t approve of you, just that he wouldn’t, and he won’t approve of anyone. I’ll die an old maid if he has his way. Don’t be angry.”
Jason relented and shoved the gearshift into park. “Well, let’s make sure you don’t get into trouble. Call Nell and then make it a conference call. Maybe your dad will think you’re with her.”
I nodded. “That just might work.”
I called Nell and quickly explained the situation and what I wanted her to do, not letting her get a word in edgewise. She readily agreed, and I dialed Father’s cell phone number, merging the calls before he answered.
“You’re late, figlia. ” His voice was low and angry. “Where are you?”
“ Mi dispiace , Father. I’m w-w-w-with Nell. We lost track of time. I’m so sorry. It won’t happen again, prometto .”
“Let me speak with Nell.”
Nell’s voice came over the phone, sounding canned and far away to me; this wasn’t going to work, I just knew it. “It’s my fault, Mr. de Rosa. We were watching a movie, and we just got carried away. Don’t be mad at Becca, please.”
“What movie are you watching?” He sounded suspicious.
“ Far and Away ,” Nell answered without a hint of hesitation. “It’s about—”
“I know what it is,” Father cut in. “Be home in twenty minutes, Rebecca. We shall discuss this when you are home.” He hung up, and silence filled the car.
I jumped when my phone rang again.
“Ohmigod,” Nell said, half-laughing. “Your dad is so scary. Do you think he bought it?”
“I don’t even know. I’m still in trouble for checking in late.”
“So. You’re not with me, and it’s almost ten-thirty. I’m guessing you’re with Jason?” She sounded sly and pleased with herself.
“Yeah. You could have warned me, you know.”
I nodded. “I know what you mean. Nell is like that. She doesn’t even realize it— she’s just naturally cool. Everyone likes her. She’s popular, and she doesn’t even know it.”
Suddenly it was full dark and we were still spinning around corners on dusty dirt roads, Jason’s headlights cutting a swath in the darkness. Panic hit all at once as I realized I had no clue what time it was.
I dug my phone out of my purse frantically, then let my head slam back against the seat as I saw the readout: 10:10 p.m. “Shit, shit,sh-sh-sh- shit !” I felt tears welling up. “Stop the truck, Jason. Stop, please. Right now.”
Jason skidded to a stop and turned to look at me in concern. “What’s wrong?”
I swallowed hard. “I—I didn’t tell Father I was leaving with you. He thinks I’m with Nell. I was supposed to check in at ten. If I call him now, he’ll demand to talk to Nell, and he’ll be mad. I’m in s-so- so much trouble, Jason.”
“It’s only ten minutes, what’s the big deal? It’s not like we’re doing anything wrong. We’re just driving around.” Jason genuinely didn’t understand.
I shook my head, breathing slowly to calm myself down. “You didn’t hear what I said. I told him I was with Nell. I lied .”
“Why’d you lie?”
I shrugged, not quite sure I could explain. “He wouldn’t let me go if he knew I was with you. I’m only allowed to go out with Nell and Jill, and even then, we’re not supposed to be hanging out with boys. If he knew I was alone with you? He’s gonna kill me. Besides, he wouldn’t approve of you. I just know he wouldn’t.” I didn’t think about how that last part would sound to Jason, but I felt awful as soon as I saw the hurt on his face.
“He wouldn’t, huh? Guess I get that. Not really the kind of guy you bring home to Daddy, am I?” His voice was bitter.
I touched his arm. “It’s not like that, Jason. I didn’t say I didn’t approve of you, just that he wouldn’t, and he won’t approve of anyone. I’ll die an old maid if he has his way. Don’t be angry.”
Jason relented and shoved the gearshift into park. “Well, let’s make sure you don’t get into trouble. Call Nell and then make it a conference call. Maybe your dad will think you’re with her.”
I nodded. “That just might work.”
I called Nell and quickly explained the situation and what I wanted her to do, not letting her get a word in edgewise. She readily agreed, and I dialed Father’s cell phone number, merging the calls before he answered.
“You’re late, figlia. ” His voice was low and angry. “Where are you?”
“ Mi dispiace , Father. I’m w-w-w-with Nell. We lost track of time. I’m so sorry. It won’t happen again, prometto .”
“Let me speak with Nell.”
Nell’s voice came over the phone, sounding canned and far away to me; this wasn’t going to work, I just knew it. “It’s my fault, Mr. de Rosa. We were watching a movie, and we just got carried away. Don’t be mad at Becca, please.”
“What movie are you watching?” He sounded suspicious.
“ Far and Away ,” Nell answered without a hint of hesitation. “It’s about—”
“I know what it is,” Father cut in. “Be home in twenty minutes, Rebecca. We shall discuss this when you are home.” He hung up, and silence filled the car.
I jumped when my phone rang again.
“Ohmigod,” Nell said, half-laughing. “Your dad is so scary. Do you think he bought it?”
“I don’t even know. I’m still in trouble for checking in late.”
“So. You’re not with me, and it’s almost ten-thirty. I’m guessing you’re with Jason?” She sounded sly and pleased with herself.
“Yeah. You could have warned me, you know.”
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