My gosh, Keeton is just so wonderful. My sisters asked him a million questions, he asked them some in return. The girls’ questions were a little too personal if you ask me, but he answered them all even though I chastised my sisters for it. His questions for them were thoughtful, like he was really trying to get to know each of them as individuals. My heart swelled listening to them banter and laugh with each other. Keeton could keep up with them, no problem. Lewis never did any of that. He barely tolerated them one-on-one. Keely was the exception, but Lewis avoided any kind of Palmer family activities saying we were too much all at once.
When the wine was gone, Violet drove Aggie and Sadie home. She was drinking only water again tonight. I’m not sure why. Violet loves her vino. No matter, I’ll get to the bottom of all that is going on with Violet soon. Keely was beyond drunk, so I sent her to bed while Keeton and I picked up the wine glasses, bottles, and empty pizza boxes. I’ve been sort of quiet since they all cleared out. I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop, as they say. This would be the time, when we were alone, that Lewis would let his anger out. He’d tell me how livid he was that I let my sisters do this or say that. Like I can control my sisters––or even want to. He’d tell me I ate too much pizza and drank too much wine. That he expected better from hiswife. Then, he’d either leave or stomp to his bedroom, slamming the door as he went.
“Lainie?”
“Yeah,” I answer as I wash wine glasses, never looking up.
“I’m sorry.”
I stop, remaining stock-still. Here it comes. He’s leaving. He can’t be with me because he hates my family.
“I’m sorry if I did something wrong.” His voice is hoarse but soft. He sounds choked up. “But, sweetheart, you’re going to have to talk to me––tell me what it was because I’m a fucking idiot. Will you do that?”
Now, you’d think that was me speaking but it’s not. Surprised, I spin around sloshing water all over the counter. “What?” He can’t be asking me that.
“You won’t look at me, honey. I can tell you’re angry. What’d I do wrong?”
Oh, my God. This man.Myman. I rush to him, wrapping my arms around him and pulling him as close to me as humanly possible. “Nothing.” I feel a hot tear escape. “You did nothing wrong. You were p-perfect.” Sniffling, I add, “I was worried you were going to yell at me about them. They’re, they’re…”
“Cool.” Keeton says in my ear. I feel his tense shoulders soften beneath my arms. “They’re cool, Lainie. I get why you love spending time with them.”
“You d-do?”
“I do. Never a dull moment with the Palmer girls. Right?”
I laugh through my tears. “No. I love them so, so much, Keeton. Lewis hated them.” I pull back a little to look at him. “Except Keely. He liked her.”
“That guy’s a tool.” Keeton wipes a tear from my cheek.
“I thought you were going to be so mad after they asked you so many personal questions.”
“Never pissed. I was more worried I wouldn’t pass the test.”
“What test?”
“That was a test, honey. They were looking out for you. Seeing if I was good enough for their Lainie.”
“No. They’re just nosey,” I say, almost as an afterthought. It’s then that I realize he’s right. They were quizzing him. Itwasa test.
Looking at me with the most serious expression I’ve seen to date, “Do you think I passed?”
Releasing a sigh of relief, I nod. “With flying colors.” I wrap him back up. “If you liked my sisters, you’re going to love my dad, Keeton. He’s the best man in the entire world. He raised us like a boss after my mom died.” The tears start again, but these are happy tears.
“He raised pretty amazing women. I’ve no doubt he’s a special man.”
Okay, that did it. I start to sob on his chest and my man just holds me, running his palm up and down my back. No more words were spoken. What else could we say? I knew, right then and there, I loved him. My heart was so full of love for him, I half expected it to burst. I won’t tell him yet, though. I’m not ready to say it out loud. I can show him, though. Pulling out of his arms, I take his hand. Walking backwards I pull him with me to my bedroom, so I can make love to my boyfriend.
“What about the paper-thin walls?” he asks with a smirk.
“Keely’s out cold.” I giggle. “And I’ve got a lock on my door.”
“Awesome.”
And it was. So, so awesome.
