A few strands of hair fell in his eyes and he pushed them to the side. “I need to mow the lawn, so if you could move the hammock …”
Disappointment struck. “Oh, sure. I was getting burned anyway.” More strands fell as he helped move her things. “You need a haircut,” she observed. He never let it grow this long. Zach liked to keep a clean-cut appearance. Total opposite of her style, which was casual and untucked.
“Thought I’d try something new.”
She took a clip out of her own hair. “Here. This will help.”
He gathered some strands and pinned them to the top of his head. “Tell anyone and you die.”
“’Course not. Wouldn’t want to ruin your precious rep,” she teased.
“Hey, don’t diss it. Reputation is important to a guy.”
She wondered if that was true for everyone. Even someone like Talon. “That’s it!” she exclaimed as an idea struck. “I don’t know why I didn’t think of it sooner.” His reputation was the key. She needed to find dirt on him. What secrets was he hiding?
Back in her room, she grabbed Talon’s phone and looked at his photo albums. For an arrogant guy, there weren’t that many pictures. And absolutely none of himself or his friends. A particularly colorful picture caught her attention and she zoomed in. Are those Peeps? she thought, recognizing the marshmallow bird candies dusted with sugar. Dressed as … pirates? They were in front of a backdrop drawing of a pirate ship and fighting each other with toothpicks. Flicking through the album, she saw more pictures like that, except the Peeps were dressed as other characters, like Luke Skywalker from Star Wars. They were … cute. In a weird kind of way. Certainly not what she was expecting. And nothing she could use. Not when she didn’t even know what those things were supposed to be.
Keeley looked through his music, but there were no embarrassing bands. She did note, however, his large selection of country music. That would explain the drawl in his voice. Next, she thumbed through his apps, but was dumbfounded. He didn’t have any social media. Not even Instagram, or Twitter, or Snapchat. What was with this guy? It was like he was living in the dark ages.
His phone started ringing, and when she saw the name, she could hardly believe it. This could be the advantage she was looking for. “Is this … Talon’s mom?” she asked.
“Oh!” the woman exclaimed, seeming taken aback by the greeting. “Yes, I’m his momma, but you’re not my son.” Her voice was warm and inviting with a slight country twang to it.
“No, ma’am. My name’s Keeley.” Maybe it was the accent, but suddenly Keeley was using manners she didn’t know she had.
“None of this ‘ma’am’ business,” she kindly scolded. “I may be a mother, but I don’t have any gray hairs yet. Call me Darlene, suga’.”
Keeley wasn’t sure what she’d expected, but it certainly wasn’t this. “Yes, ma’a — I mean, Darlene,” she corrected.
“Do you mind telling me why you’re answering my son’s phone? He’s supposed to be at football camp.”
Keeley quickly explained the mishap at the fair and how they switched phones.
“That’s quite a predicament you two have gotten in. I wish he had given it to me. I could have met you and exchanged the phones myself. I wonder why he didn’t tell me this before he left. Probably wanted to keep talking to you. Bet you’re a pretty thing.”
“I don’t know about that.” Keeley laughed. “Honestly, I think Talon just wanted to get back at me.”
“Talon?” his mother questioned.
“Uh … yes. You’re Talon’s mom, right?”
“I’m Talon’s momma. Sorry, I thought you said something else. So, what is this about my son getting back at you?”
Keeley couldn’t very well tell Darlene about that first phone call when she’d made fun of her son and called him an SOB. Instead, she lied and said, “It’s nothing.”
“That boy.” Darlene sighed. “Just like his daddy. Always letting his emotions run wild. And he was so good growing up. What happened? Where did I go wrong?”
“Umm …”
“He never brings his friends home or tells me what’s happening in his life.”
“Darlene —”
“And don’t think I haven’t noticed him fooling around with those girls. Coming home with lip gloss stains on his collar. I just don’t know what to do anymore. It’s like he doesn’t want me around. He didn’t even accept my Facebook friend request. You wouldn’t do that to your mother, would you?”
“Uh … I …” Her mother couldn’t even figure out how to access her cell phone’s voice mails, much less Facebook. Thank God for small favors.
“Of course you wouldn’t, suga’. I can tell. She’s lucky.” Darlene sniffed. “Do you know he forces me to sit in the back of the bleachers during his football games? Says he’s embarrassed. My own son! I don’t see why. It was just a Dolly Parton costume. It was almost Halloween.”
Keeley cringed. She had to feel a little sorry for the guy, but this was exactly the type of information she needed in order to get his cooperation. She laughed like his mom had just told the best joke of all time. “I would have loved to see that.”
“I can send you a picture, darlin’. Do you want me to text it to Talon’s phone?”
“That would be perfect. Thank you!” said Keeley, feeling almost guilty. “Darlene, I have to go, but it was a pleasure talking to you.”
“You too. Take care now.”
While she waited for the picture, she sent Talon a text.
Had the most interesting conversation with your mom. She likes to talk. A lot.
Let him stew on that for a while. Now she could see why Talon sent her all those articles. Goading was fun.
Keeley slapped a hand over her mouth when she saw Darlene’s photo. It was bad. Really bad. Like a gaudy, over-the-top kind of bad. No wonder Talon was embarrassed. But Keeley had to admit Darlene wore her Dolly costume with confidence. She didn’t think she could have done the same.
What did my mother tell you?
Hello?
You there?
What did she say?
It was fun to watch him squirm.
My, my. The mighty Talon taken down by his mom.
Keeley! What did she tell you?
She sent him Darlene’s picture. His response was immediate.
You wouldn’t.
Who holds all the cards now?
Fine. I’ll pass on your texts and calls.
I knew you’d see it my way.
You’re incredibly annoying and irritating, you know that?
Coming from you that’s a compliment.
If you wanted a compliment, baby doll, all you had to do was ask. I’d be more than happy to provide.
I think you’ve provided enough. Your mom told me about all those lip gloss stains.
Jealous?
Instead of responding, she sent him an article — “Twelve Signs She’s Just Not Into You.”