I live in the housing development across the street from Lake Arlington where Embyr grew up. I was within walking distance and sometimes I would ride my bike over to her side and just sit. I wasn’t a stalker. At first, I was just waiting to see if she ever came out and maybe get a chance to talk to her. After what we did, I would ride over just to make sure she was okay. Before the bet her house seemed full of life, afterward all the shades would always be closed.
I point across the street. “Ian lived there in that green house, and Reece lived down the street.”
Her head dips a little. “I know where they lived.”
Stopping just before the stoop to the entryway, I pull her face into my hands. “Embyr, I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking. Sometimes I forget.”
Her face shakes up and down in my hands. “I know. I do too. It’s okay. Sometimes it’s good to forget.”
I give her the briefest of kisses before my mom throws the glass door open. “Casen! Embyr! Come in! Stop trying to make babies out here.”
We both laugh. “Mom, stop!” I tell her.
She ignores me, dragging Embyr in for a hug, before pulling back and taking her in. “I mean, I want grandbabies, and you two would make beautiful ones but not yet. Make him put a ring on it if he likes it.”
Embyr bursts into a fit of giggles. “Oh my God, I love your mom,” she tells me after we walk inside. “She’s so funny.”
I slap her ass out of view of everyone. “Yeah, she’s hilarious!”
I feel a small amount of weight lifted that was on my shoulders now that my mom has broken the ice a little bit.
We meet my mom in the kitchen. She’s pulling the meatloaf out of the oven. “I hope you like it, Embyr. This is Casen’s favorite.” She slams the steel door shut and looks at Embyr. “Remind me to give you the recipe before you leave.”
“I’d love that.”
My mom leans on the counter and stares at the two of us, not saying a word. I’m about to say something when Mom breaks the awkward silence. “Embyr. Casen has told me everything.”
Embyr’s eyes grow wide. I don’t think she was expecting a chat about this tonight. “I know. He told me you two spoke.”
“Mom.” I step toward her. “I’m not sure…”
“Casen, hush it.” She waves a ladle at me. “This isn’t your business.”
I scoff, crossing my arms over my chest.
“Now.” She continues. “What my son did and didn’t do back in high school was disappointing. For him to stand by and not help you, well, I just thought I raised him better than that. I will say that I’m glad you came after my son.”
“MOM!”
She shakes her head as Embyr continues to just stare in disbelief. “No, no, hear me out. I’ve seen a shift in him, and even if your intention was to hurt him, I’m glad you two saw the light and fell for one another. The whole situation is shitty, but I’m thankful it’s turning out the way that it is.”
“Me too, Mrs. Parker.” Embyr smiles shyly. “Me too.”
“Well, you two skedaddle for a bit. I need to finish up,” she tells us, pulling out some pans from the bottom cabinet.
“Do you need any help?” Embyr offers.
My mom shakes her head. “No, thank you. Everyone should be here in the next thirty minutes.”
“Come on,” I grab Embyr’s hand, “I’ll show you my room.”
As we hit the bottom of the stairs, my mom yells from the kitchen. “No making babies up there!”
Embyr and I both laugh.
My room hasn’t changed much since I left for college. I wasn’t the typical college graduate who lived at home for a long time after graduation. I was here maybe a month before I got a job and moved out with Ian and Reece so there was no need to change anything in my room. I’m surprised my parents haven’t turned it into an office or some shit like that.
“Wow!” Embyr exclaims stepping into my room. “Well, isn’t this a throwback to high school.”
