Mom,obviously flustered, touched the back of her neck. “I, um … well, I just alwaysassumed that was the type of relationship you two had.”
“What?No!” I protested with a blunt laugh, appalled. I stared at her disbelieving.“Was that why you had such a problem with us living together?”
“Shehad a problem with us living together?” Devin chimed in.
“Shecalled me a slut!”
“Youcalled her a slut?” Devin asked her, laughing.
Momactually giggled, covering her mouth with a hand. “Ididnotcall you a slut, Kylie. I mean, seriously …”
“Youmight aswellhave called me a slut. You said a self-respecting womandoesn’t shack up withsome guyshe’s not even committed to.”
Momlaughed again. “I thought you had a, um,specialfriendship.”
Devin’slaughter continued as he leaned back in his chair. “Holy hell, your mom thoughtwe were friends with benefits.”
“Well,what was I supposed to think?” She continued giggling, the flush deepening onher cheeks. “Honestly, I always thought it was more than that, but I wasn’tsure either of you would ever commit, so you just took what you could get,which was why—”
“Whyyou called me a slut. Right.” I shook my head, with my smile tugging at mylips.
“OhGod,” she said, playfully rolling her eyes as she shoved at my shoulder. Imissed this side of her. “Anyway, I’m thrilled for the two of you. How long hasthis been going on?”
“Yesterday,”Devin said, dropping my hand to finally dive back into a room-temperaturedinner. Mom tried asking him if she could reheatitbut he just shook his head.
“Andyou came over here instead of spending time together?” she asked, flatteningher hands over her chest. Complimented.
“Well,we got dinner out of the deal, so it wasn’t a complete loss,” Dev answered withhis mouth full, and I shoved hard against him. He only laughed. “Anyway, whenyou come down, you can stay in the other bedroom, because we won’t be usingit.”
“Youguys waste no time, huh,” Mom replied dryly, a little smile tugging at thecorners of her mouth while she tried to keep a stern expression.
Devincleared his throat and put down his fork, and judging from the look on hisface, he was about to say something serious. He turned to my mom. “If I’m beingtotally honest, Mrs. James, I’ve already wasted the last thirteen years of mylife. So, if that means running out and spending a couple grand on a bed, sothat I can finally start living my life the way I want it, then …” He shrugged.“Then, you know, that’s what Igottado.”
Helifted my hand, brushed his lips against my knuckles and casually resumedeating, as though he hadn’t just shut my mother down with a speech meant forcheesy romantic movies. I swallowed, floating on a mixed wave of emotions, andI glanced at my mother. I was surprised to find her eyes glossing over withtears and she smiled when she met my gaze.
“Anyman who’s willing to disrespect his potential mother-in-law, to defend what hehas, with the woman he loves, is a man worth holding on to,” she saidaffirmatively, nodding, and then she added, “and Devin, you better startcalling me Grace.”
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Devin
The last time I wasin Kylie’s old bedroom, I washelping her pack her things. Boxing up clothes and trinkets, old CDs andpictures.
Yearslater, there were still a few empty boxes sitting untouched on the floor.Layered in dust and time.
Theboxes on the bed, were newer and sealed. Kylie slowly approached them withcaution, hands shaking at her sides. I closed the door behind us and I took twohurried steps past her, standing at the bed.
“Doyou want me to do it?” I offered gently.
“No,I think I’m okay,” she said in a voice stronger than I had expected and shetook the final step to the bed. Placing her hands over the lid of the firstbox. Her deep breath was controlled, her fingers firm, but I stood at theready. Prepared to catch her.
Kylie’seyes lifted to mine. “I never realized how much of her life was given up,because of him.”
Thenshe shook her head, taking a step backward. “Well, no, I know things werefucked up. He was addicted to drugs, for crying out loud. Shit was far fromnormal, I know that, but … she stayed with him. She could’ve left if she was somiserable.”
Myjaw tightened and tensed. “Love doesn’t always give us a choice, KJ.”
“Wealwayshave a choice,” she disputed, her expression stony and unmoving.
