It seemed to be the only word in her vocabulary tonight. She slid into the car. He held out his hand. “I’ma need the key.”
“Of course. Yeah, umm… right,” she stammered as she dug into her handbag and handed him the fob.
“I’ll hit you when I’m on my way to swap it out,” he said.
He closed the door, and she watched him through the rear window as he made his way back up the driveway. The car pulled away, and Stassi melted into her seat, overwhelmed. Day made such a simple exchange complex.
There was an anxiety that came with him having her keys because she knew they would have to see one another again later that night. She wondered if that was his plan all along or if this show of chivalry was his norm. Only time would tell.
Demi was aware that he was doing the wrong thing as soon as he pulled up to the darkened house. Lauren had forgotten to turn on the porch lights again. He had seen it from the Ring system that reported to his phone. He should have uninstalledthe app months ago, but he couldn’t bring himself to. His son lived there, and he had protected Lauren for as long as he could remember. It still felt like his responsibility to secure this house. He climbed out and fought the pangs in his gut that told him to turn around, but arrogance pushed him forward. He didn’t even bother with the doorbell. He used his key and entered without announcement.
“Aye yo!” He called out, finding his son in the living room.
“Hey, Dad! What you doing here?!”
His son’s excitement to see him would always thaw Demi’s heart. If there weren’t anyone else in the world who deemed Demi as good, his son always would.
“Coming to check on my guy,” Demi stated. “I had an important dinner that I wanted you at. Your mom said you didn’t want to come.”
DJ lowered his head.
“You look a man in his eyes,” Demi schooled. “If you my main man, you should be able to tell me anything. So, keep it real with me. Why didn’t you want to come?”
DJ shrugged.
“DJ, go get ready for bed.”
Lauren’s order saved DJ from replying and Demi put a stern eye on her.
“We’ll talk tomorrow, a’ight?” Demi said. He and Lauren had made it a point to not undermine one another over the years so he didn’t protest. “Wash behind them nasty ears, boi.” He lightly tapped the back of his son’s head. “I luh you.”
“Love you too, Dad,” DJ said before heading out.
Demi felt Lauren’s disdain from across the room.
“You couldn’t call first?” Lauren asked.
Demi’s authority over this house could still be felt. He didn’t answer because they both knew he didn’t have to call in advance. He pulled up when he pulled up, no warning necessary.
“I cooked,” she said.
Demi stared at her. Lauren was as beautiful as the day he had met her, but her eyes were sad. He had done that to her. He had shrunken her. He thought about her every day. Her heartbreak was one thing he would always regret. She hadn’t deserved it. He was aware of that much. “I like the hair.” It was shorter, sexier, edgier.
She ran her hand down the back of her neck insecurely. She was still getting used to it.
“Thanks,” she said softly.
He walked by her, heading for the kitchen.
“Fix me a plate?” He asked.
He stood at the island as she moved silently around the kitchen. It felt so routine that they both almost forgot they were no longer together.
He didn’t speak until she put a plate in front of him.
“I won’t let you keep my son from me,” he said as he dug into his meal. He didn’t look up at her. “His visits are fewer and shorter. It’s always an excuse. You playing with me, Lo.”
“You need to talk to your son about this. Like I said, if he doesn’t want to be there, I’m not making him come. You know I don’t play that. He will be where he’s comfortable. He’s comfortable here.”
