24: A Gift
Lisa’s POV
“I’m curious what you packed in that bag of yours? What are your essentials?” I asked Jared as we walked around the department store. I offered to buy him clothes since because of me he had no money now. Well, really, because of his dad, but I still feel partially guilty for it.
“It’s kind of embarrassing,” he said, burying his hands deep in his pockets.
“Come on, tell me. I will not make fun of you for it,” I promised, while gently nudging him with my elbow. Jared was feeling like a little brother.
“Fine, but you really can’t say anything about it.”
“Promise.”
“I packed my laptop, the only picture of mom I have, some underwear, because I refuse to wear dirty boxers, and my favorite book that I’ve read so much the binding is about to break.”
I smirked at him, really getting a deeper look into the kind of person he was. There was nothing on that list I would make fun of him for. Although, I wanted to laugh at his underwear comment. I knew little about Chris and Jared’s mom. I’d never seen her or really heard anything about her.
“Where is your mom?” I blurted out, because apparently I have no filter today.
“Dad had her put in a mental facility when she tried to commit suicide. He’d abused her a few too many times, had her do things she never wanted to. They keep her so drugged up there that she can’t even have a conversation. I used to visit her a lot, but I realized that my visits were only upsetting her even in her drug induced state. I stopped going a couple of years ago. Now I just look at that picture and try to remember how mom used to be.”
I wasn’t expecting him to say something so dark. With the way his dad is, I should have, but I didn’t. Mom could get away from Dad without too much damage. I just assumed his mom did the same. My head hung as we both got quiet. The mood had definitely shifted.
“Lisa!” Rachel’s familiar voice hit my ears, causing me to look back up.
She’d dyed her hair back to its natural black, let it wave a little past her collarbone now. She was doing her internship now, keeping her visits to a weekend a month. I forgot this was that weekend. But what were the chances I’d run into her here? Either way, it made me smile. I love my cousin.
“Rachel!” I held my arms open, mirroring hers as she ran towards me. We hugged tightly with a small giggle before we broke apart.
“Who’s the guy? Have you turned into a cradle robber?” She teased me, keeping her voice low so Jared wouldn’t hear from a few feet behind me. I laughed at the suggestion, and the way her bluntness had not changed over the years.
“No. In fact, it’s the opposite.” I hadn’t really told many people about Davis. It’s not that I was ashamed. I just like keeping him to myself. “I’m with Davis.”
Rachel’s mouth dropped open as she stared at me with wide eyes. She stayed like that for a good minute, unwilling to compose herself.
“The hot Viking? How old is he?”
“Forty-two,” I averted my eyes as I answered, feeling a little embarrassed by our age gap. I knew he was a lot older than I, but it didn't feel like it when we were together.
I love him with all my heart, no matter what.
“Holy shit, Lisa. You bagged a good one! I bet he’s great in bed.” She laughed, poking my side with a wiggle of her brows. I should have known she wouldn’t judge me or Davis. This was Rachel.
“He really is.” I laughed alongside her until Jared finally stepped forward. He’d hung back, giving us our time. He was very respectful.
“Rachel, this is Jared, my friend. Jared, this is Rachel, my cousin.”
“Nice to meet you, Rachel.” Jared gave her a curt nod as he greeted her.
“Likewise.”
“Want to walk around with us? We’re buying clothes for Jared.” I wanted to keep talking to her, and I wanted her to get to know Jared a little better. I didn’t expect Rachel to get beet red for some reason.
“I can’t. I, um, came to buy something that uh,”
Rachel never fumbles with her words. That was when I realized what department we were in. Jared and I had been distracted with the news of his mom that we were walking around aimlessly, landing us in the women’s intimate department. I realized amongst the walls and panties was a mixture of lingerie and robes.
Oh, my gosh! She was buying lingerie for someone.
