Chapter Seventy-Eight

The drive to the airport was silent. I took the time to gather my feelings about going back and what had just happened. Ronnie and Lynn gave me the space I needed, which I was thankful for. My phone started buzzing non-stop as message after message came in. Confused, I opened my phone to watch the messages roll in from my mother. Finally, they stopped at the last one.

Mom: Amy, for the love of the goddess, will you answer me?

I messaged back.

Amy: Mom? What’s going on? Why are you messaging me a million messages all at once?

Mom: Amy? Finally! I’m so happy I finally got ahold of you!

Amy: What’s going on? You ignored my calls and messages all summer, and now you’re texting me a novel….

Mom: I didn’t. Or, I didn’t mean to. I thought the same thing, that you were ignoring me the entire summer, but I realized today that you were blocked. I resent everything I sent you.

Amy: Why was I blocked? And why did you resend everything now?

Mom: I didn’t want you to think I didn’t think of you. I wanted you to know I missed you. Shannon, probably.

Amy: LOL Mom, of course, I knew you cared. I just figured you were leaving me to figure it all out. I was going to talk to you once I got home.

Mom: Are you on your way?

Amy: Yeah. We just got on the plane.

Mom: Good. Read my messages on the flight. We have too much to discuss once you are home. I love you, baby.

Amy: Love you too, Mom.

I looked up from my phone and realized that Ronnie and Lynn had already gotten out of the car. I stepped out and slipped my phone back into my pocket. I grabbed my suitcase from the trunk and walked over to the plane.

Ronnie turned and looked me over. “Everything okay?”

“Yeah. My mom was apparently messaging me all summer, but Shannon had blocked me on her phone.” I shrugged. “I apparently have a novel to catch up on during the flight back home.”

Ronnie chuckled. “She resent everything?”

“Yep.” I smiled, pulled my phone out as it buzzed. Another wave of messages coming in. “I think this will be a mess once I can sit and read it all.”

“You think it’s that bad?” I shoved my phone into his hands as another volley of texts came through. His eyes bulged at the sheer number of texts. He watched the screen for a moment and then handed it back. “It seems like she wasn’t the only person Shannon blocked from texting you.”

Chapter Seventy-Nine

“What do you mean?” I furrowed my brow and clicked my screen back on, but I saw nothing but my mother’s texts.

“Open your messages.” He came around and looked over my shoulder. I opened my phone and clicked my messages, and Brandon’s name appeared below my mother’s name. I grimaced as I saw the beginning of the text. I clicked it, not wanting to, but needing to get this over with.

Brandon: I’m sorry if you get any of my previous messages. I was mad because I thought you were ignoring me. I figured out your number was blocked on my phone somehow.

As soon as I opened his texts, I saw the three little dots dance at the bottom. I grimaced again because that meant he was watching to see when I read his messages.

Brandon: Hey! How are you? How was your summer?

Amy: Hey… Who is this?

I had his number saved, but not to use. Shannon had tried to accuse me of texting Brandon behind her back and tried to convince my mom I was trying to ruin their relationship and steal him. My mom made me unlock my phone and typed Brandon’s number into my phone. When nothing popped up, she handed it back. But Shannon swore I was lying or deleting it. So, for months my mom made me unlock my phone whenever Shannon started her bull up again so she could look. My mom saved his number after the third time.

Brandon: Oh… it’s Brandon. You don’t have my number?

Amy: Oh, hi. No, I don’t have your number saved. You are Shannon’s boyfriend. Why would I have your number?

I hoped that pretending to be dumb would end the conversation, but I was not in luck.

Brandon: Shannon and I broke up.

Amy: That sucks. Anyway, did you need anything from me?

Brandon: I was wondering when you were coming back home.

Amy: Oh. I’m heading back today. Why? Did something happen?

Brandon: Nothing happened. I was just wondering. I can’t wait to see you.

Amy: Why?

Brandon: I just am.

Amy: Okay… I have to go. I’m getting on the plane. Bye.

I saw the dots pop up, but I put my phone on airplane mode and closed it. I looked up to see Ronnie laughing as he climbed onto the plane.