Blended TML Ch 31

“And in fact,” Piper goes on excitedly, things coming together in her mind. “There’s a party there tonight. We’re going to that too.”

“Piper, we have to go back to your sister.”

“Riley’s looking after her.”

“That does not reassure me.”

“Well, it should. Riley’s very responsible.”

“Compared to Kayla and Patty, maybe. Kind of a low bar.”

“Kayla’s responsible too. Have you seen her checking account? She does not spend money.”

“Where’s she get her weed, then?”

“Don’t think about it.”

Mary shakes her head and massages her temples.

“You should think about the massage you’re getting tomorrow,” Piper chirps.

“Oh my god.”

“What’s your problem, Mary? Why is it so hard to have a good time?”

“Because it’s hard to unplug when I have so much stuff I have to do, and I’m supposed to have my shit together. It doesn’t feel good to have you treating me like I’m a pathetic loser,” Mary says, visibly steamed. “You’re doing sweet stuff, but like… if anyone should be doing this, it’s Penny. You are not my wife. You’re my stepdaughter.”

“Dude, you never took your mom anywhere nice? You are conflating two different sets of insecurities.”

“Don’t even. You are not a therapist yet.”

“And yet, I’m right. You’re supposed to have your shit together? Mary, you’re so burned out and grumpy because you have all this piled on you! And you resent people for putting it on you! Pick a lane!”

BLENDED 2

The sun is too hot. A wide-brimmed hat and heavy sunglasses aren’t enough, but Piper is committed. There’s something interesting about having a little forbidden skin out in the great outdoors. There’s also something interesting about slathering herself in sunscreen and trying not to stare as Mary does the same. Being baked by the sun is nice. The weird, exciting tingle that comes with having bare breasts for the whole lake to see is at least novel. Mary having her breasts out is pretty distracting. She has a hat and sunglasses as well, and they can’t keep her from looking pissy—though all her body language as she sips a third mimosa indicates she’s enjoying herself.

“I’m just thinking about getting arrested for public indecency,” Mary says after some jet skis with guys that Piper assumes are frat bros make their fourth pass.

“I was thinking about skin cancer.”

“There’s that, too.”

“You’re making those dudes’ day.”

“They’re looking at you. You’re the young, hot one.”

“Um, no, they are not,” Piper laughs. She’s busty, but nothing like Mary. It’s a miracle that these guys haven’t crashed into each other yet. “Do we go party with them if they come and hit on us?”

“No. And they don’t have the balls.”

“But what if they did?”

Piper is able to literally watch as the notion of some kind of boneheaded fling with a guy half her age crosses Mary’s mind. Mary makes a face. “Not on your life.”

Whatever. She can act tough, but she’s out here topless with a drink in her hand. Mary is ceding ground. It’s time to think about this party tonight at the Diamond. Piper’s phone sits on the arm of her chair. Is there a way to have a good time with Mary and also be selfish? If there is, she’s only got a couple of hours to find it.