Bear Meets Girl
Page 31

Im sure you did.
Then why would any of them be concerned?
I think theyre under some delusion that you care.
I care about my kid. I didnt eat her at birth or anything. Care about you. My parents. Josie, of course. Tolerate my brothers.
Jai nodded. I agree with all of that.
Turning back to the mirror, Cella said, My God, my familys so insane. Its no big deal. After the wedding this will all blow over.
Well ...
Cella again faced her friend. Well, what?
Jai bit her lip again before announcing, Theyre talking matchmaker.
Cella stumbled back against the sink. No!
Jai raised her hands. Now dont panic.
Dont panic? Are you insane? Cella bet this was her Aunt Deirdres idea. Her mother always said that Deirdre could convince most Malones that John F. Kennedy was a Protestant. And while Kathleen ran the New York Malone females, it was Deirdre who was the equivalent of her enforcer. Only she was way meaner than Cella could ever dream of being on the ice.
Jai reached over and patted Cellas hand. Dont worry. Your father says its not necessary
Well, at least hes being reasonable.
because you already have a boyfriend.
Boyfriend? What boy ... Cella gasped. Oh, no.
Do you know who hes talking about?
God. The bear. The polar bear from Friday night. Shed told Jai about what had happened with the bear on their drive home from the game. Christ, I thought Dad knew he wasnt my boyfriend.
Apparently he doesnt know that. And it sounds as if he likes the guy. Hes a fine, slightly tongue-tied boy, according to him. Which is perfect because maybe you can use the bear to get your aunts off your back for a little while.
What are you talking about?
Your mom told my mom that if youve got a boyfriend already, your aunts will back off the matchmaker thing. The problem is Deirdres convinced them you dont have a boyfriend. That Butch was mistaken.
But he was! I was kidding when I said he was my boyfriend.
Your father seemed to have missed that.
How could he miss that?
It doesnt matter. But maybe if you use your Malone charm, you can get the guy to help out.
Help out with what?
Pretend to be your boyfriend for a couple of days. Give him tickets to the next game or something. Im sure hed help for that since you say hes a fan.
Cella wasnt sosure. You dont understand. That bear barely tolerated me and he thinks Im a bad mother.
Why does he think ... ? Jai rolled her eyes. Did you do that thing again? Where you pretend Meghan can barely tie her shoes, but youve left her alone to fend for herself?
Cella shrugged. You had to be there. It was funny at the time.
Funny or not, youve got a problem. You could probably get one of the other players to have your back or someone from KZS to pretend to be your boyfriend, but your father already met the bear. Although, Im surprised hes okay with a bear. I thought the Malones would be all, he must be tiger.
Only if I hadnt already had the kid. My aunts are happy because Ive been a good little Malone female and given them a girl to carry on family tradition. Which only leaves me wide open for anything the aunts may dredge up. But Im betting this is Deirdre. Shes trying to start a fight with me.
She always starts fights with you.
Yeah, but ...
Yeah, but what?
Cella let a breath out, her neck getting tight. But I promised Meghan I wouldnt fight with Deirdre until after the wedding.
Jai let out a loud laugh until she realized Cella wasnt joining her. Then she stopped. Oh ... youre serious.
Its a long story involving sleep-punching, tampons, and an early-morning drive to the pharmacy. I dont want to get into it.
I dont think I want you to get into it.
That old bitch. I bet she knows. I bet she knows I promised Meg I wouldnt fight with her.
Now youre being paranoid.
Im not. She knows Ill never agree to a matchmaker, which will set off a whole chain of events and then she can make me look bad in front of my kid.
Instead of debating that, Jai asked, So what are you going to do?
Ill just talk to the family. Calmly. Rationally. Ill make it clear these old-school rituals no longer apply in modern society. Ill make it clear how ridiculous this all is.
You mean youre going to act like an adult?
Yes. Im a thirty-six-year-old adult and I can act like one.
Determined, Cella finished drying off and changed into a pair of sweats, black T-shirt, and sneakers. With Jai by her side, she returned to the kitchen. And again as she walked in, her family stopped whatever conversation they were having and stared at her.
Wheres the kid? Cella asked.
At the mall with Josie, using the gift cards she got for her birthday.