No fucking way.
And her incorrect assessment rubs me in such a wrong way that I have a very knee-jerk reaction.
"Titus isn’t aloof. He's just serious and reserved." I scoff, because the more I think about it, the wronger it is. "He is warm and considerate and caring and..." My words die off because Deidre is smiling at me. Like, a lot. Smiling while I'm basically telling her I know her son better than she does. Chastising her for categorizing him in a way I don't agree with.
"You know what? You're right." She pats me on the shoulder again, but this time her hand lingers, giving it a squeeze. "Titus is caring. He feels deeply, and sometimes that can make his life very difficult."
When she walks away I stare after her, wondering what in the fuck just happened. She went from calling Titus aloof to saying he is caring and that his emotions run deep. Both things are true, but her about-face gives me whiplash.
"What's up, Miss Mariah?" Tobias sidles up next to me, giving me a grin that past me would have eaten up with a spoon. "What did you bring for dessert?"
Discussing food is much more comfortable territory for me, so I relax a little. "I made a peach cobbler and homemade ice cream."
After Titus discovered the order I made for his office, not only did he deposit the exact amount of money I spent into my account, but a countertop ice cream maker showed up the next day. I've had my eye on one for years, but could never justify the price tag. How he knew I wanted one is beyond me. I've learned to be very careful about mentioning anything because the second I do, it shows up on our doorstep.
Tobias whistles low. "That sounds amazing." He leans, peering around me. "And explains why my big brother is looking a little thicker than normal."
I turn, following the direction of Tobias's attention to find Titus standing directly behind me. He's glaring at his brother, looking unamused.
"I've gained five pounds, you ass." Titus slides my drink in at my elbow. "And don't act like you can tell."
I peer up at the man hovering close, taking in the sight of him. Maybe he does look a little different. Certainly not heavier, but maybe less pale? A little healthier?
Or I could be imagining things. It is my superpower.
Titus’s hand skims over my side, the touch hidden under the counter where no one else will see it. His hand rests warm and wide against my body as he raises his voice. "I thought you were going to ask Mom about finding you a personal chef of your own?" There's challenge in his voice when he asks, "How is that going?"
Deidre stops what she's doing, her eyes going from Titus to Tobias as one eyebrow slowly lifts. "You're kidding, right?"
Tobias straightens his shoulders, chin lifting in defiance. "Why would I be kidding?" He turns to his mother. "Titus isn’t the only one who works a lot. I might not only eat cereal, but I'm sure as hell not even thinking about the four fucking food groups."
Deidre stares Tobias down before leaning closer, her tone low, words slow when she says, "I am not hiring you a chef, Toby."
Tobias looks affronted, both arms stretching wide. "Why not?"
The room suddenly becomes very quiet, and Titus’s hand flexes against my side, holding tighter as he pulls me back against him. Like he wants to put as much space between me and his brother as possible.
Deidre takes a deep breath that lifts her shoulders, then blows it out before saying, "Because you don't want to live with a woman you barely know, remember?"
Deidre's words seem to land like blows, sending Tobias a step back. His jaw is slack, expression filled with shock. Like he can't believe what his mother just said tohim.
I can't help but feel like I'm missing part of the conversation. Like there's a story that would explain why Tobias’s handsome face contorts, hardening in a way that erases the easy-going man I've started to know.
He works his jaw from side to side, like it's taking everything he has to unclench his teeth. Barely shaking his head, a light scoff bursts on the heels of his next exhale. "You're never gonna let me live that down, are you?"
Deidre hasn't even flinched and shows no signs of backing down now. Her voice is strong and steady when she replies. "I don't think I'm the one having issues."
I can almost feel the anger radiating off Tobias and it has me leaning back against Titus’s chest. I'm not afraid of his brother, I just don't love interactions like this. I like it when people are happy. Smiling and joking around. This feels too close to what I went through as a child. The days my mother would manage to get my father to visit and all hell would break loose.
Tobias huffs out a bitter laugh, continuing to shake his head as he slowly turns. "Whatever. I'm outta here."
The silence lingers even after the door slams behind him, hanging in the air until Deidre claps her hands, smile back as she looks around the remaining group. "Who's hungry?"
She grabs the ham and practically shoves it into Walker's hands. "You boys take everything to the table." She's still smiling, but I can recognize a lie when I see it.
Spinning on one heel, she marches away from the group, disappearing from sight as Walker, Tucker, and Trevor carry the food to the table. As they’re getting everything in place, I notice Ted disappear down the same hall his wife did.
I turn to where Titus is still standing behind me. "Is your mom okay?"
