Page 48 of The Do-Over Girl

“How kind,” Kali says before I can make a wiseass remark. Mrs. P purses her lips.

“That’s really nice of you,” Steve agrees.

She gets up and brings it to me, hovering close. “Open it up. I want to see if you like it.”

She puts a hand on my shoulder, and I want to shudder, but I don’t. I do lean closer to Kali and whisper in her ear. “How much of this shit do I need to put up with before you let me get real with her?”

“You’ll know,” she says, trying not to smile. Then she says louder, “Definitely open it up, Nash. We’d all love to see what it is.”

I open the gift, not bothering to be delicate about it, and pull out a blanket—of all things. “A blanket?”

“Look at the logo. It has the Boston Brawlers colors and logo. I thought it was perfect for you.”

“Thanks.” I put it back in the box.

“Sit down, Barbara,” Mrs. P says, her voice sterner than I’ve heard it, as she puts a plate of muffins in front of her. “This ought to hold you.”

Barbara smiles. “Bless you, Mrs. Pike. I am fond of muffins.” She takes a bite, and I’m hoping she’ll shut up now while we finish our coffee. But no.

“Did you know Steve is writing a novel?” Barbara says. “Weren’t you supposed to write a novel, Kali?”

Steve jumps in, and, for once, I don’t mind. “Yes, in fact, she is. I’ve been working with her—reading it and making suggestions—not that she needs much help because it’s really good.”

Barbara nods with impatience.

Kali has been cozy with Steve, the nerdy novelist, but I can’t blame her. She always wanted to write a novel about her mom's success as a single parent in a small town.

Barbara says, “You should write a young adult novel about the tragic romance of high school sweethearts who have a big fight at their graduation dance and end up going off in different directions, never to meet again.”

Kali stares at her, mouth open. Mrs. P drops a spatula. I start to rise in my chair to put Barbie in her place, never mind getting permission from Kali, when Steve jumps in—again—without a clue.

“Sounds like a perfect premise for a high school English teacher. You could market it to schools, get speaking engagements—”

Barbara laughs. “You don’t know, do you?”

“What are you talking about?” Steve asks.

I stand, put a hand up to stop Steve from saying any more, then go over and pull Barbie’s chair out—even though she’s still sitting in it.

“That’s enough, Barbie. Time for you to leave.” I take her hand and yank her up.

“Hey, can’t you take a joke?”

“Yeah, I’ve been putting up with you, haven’t I?”

“What’s going on here?” Steve starts to rise, but Kali stops him with a look.

“Barbara, you should go,” she says with the authority of poise and the edge of finality.

“Fine.” Barbara shoots a nasty glance at Kali as she backs away from me. I follow her to the entry hall to ensure she doesn’t change her mind or try for any last words. Opening the door for her, I leave her no room to go around me.

“Thanks for the blanket. I’ll treasure it.”

She gives me a mean look, then forces a smile. “I’ll see you at the next game.”

Not if I see you first. I barely manage to keep those words to myself. When I close the door behind her, Kali comes up behind me.

“Thank you for taking my side.” Her words are soft, but she looks anything but happy.