“Can we please stop this childish squabbling? You’re going to traumatize Felicity before she even gets a chance to know you.”
“Sorry,” they both say in unison.
“I heard you’re moving in, Felicity. We’re going to be neighbors,” Harry says, his tone dripping with cockiness that makes my skin crawl..
“Neighbors?” I manage to utter out, still trying to process all this weirdness..
“Yeah, our rooms are right beside each other. So if you have bad dreams, or get scared, you can just knock on my door.” He winks, and I know without him saying outright exactly what he means. “Big brother at your service to protect you.”
“Isn’t that sweet?” Mom chimes in.
“I’ll have two out of three of my children under my roof. I’m a happy man.” Calvin agrees.
“You know, Felicity, you could stay with me. I have an extra room and I’m sure you don’t want to be around the newlyweds or him.” Roxy gestures toward Harry with her thumb.
I gulp.Stay with her.My heart is conflicted, as well as my brain. It would be the better option, clearly. She knows what I do, and I could do my live streams at home without having to worry. And something about Harry and Calvin being in such close proximity are suddenly giving me the creeps.
“Nonsense, Roxanne. Felicity needs to focus on her school and staying here gives her that opportunity. As a matter of fact, if I might suggest, you should quit your job at that diner.” He says carefully. “You work far too much. Plus, it gives me a chance for us to get closer. A chance for me to get to know my new daughter.” Calvin shoots Roxy a glare. “There’s no need for her to move in with you.”
Why are they talking about me like I’m not sitting right here?Thankfully, a middle-aged woman with gray hair and a warm smile comes into the room with a cart full of covered plates. She takes her time, passing them out one by one to each of us, then looks to Calvin, who gives her a soft nod, and she leaves.
“Let’s eat,” he announces, picking up his wineglass and taking a sip of the red liquid inside.
I pick up my fork and take a bite of the salad first.
“Dad, she can focus on school at my place, too. Besides, I've always wanted a sister to bond with. Now, I have one.”
“Maybe I want to bond with my new sister, too. She’s an upgrade to the last annoying one.” Harry touts.
“Asshole,” Roxy mumbles.
“She’s staying here. End of discussion,” Calvin states firmly and my body shakes.
What the ever-loving hell? Why is he so adamant about me living here? Last I checked, I was an adult and can make my own decisions.
“Have we met before, Felicity?” Harry stops eating, looking dead at me and asks.
“No,” I say at the same time as I shake my head.
I’ve got to be in the fucking Twilight Zone.
He tilts his head to the side and smirks.
“My mistake. So, do you have a boyfriend?” Harry tosses another question in my direction as his eyes laser in on my lips.
“She does. Ezra is such a sweet boy,” Mom interjects.
“You say boy like he’s twelve and not twenty-four, Mom.”
“Felicity, you know what I mean.” She pauses long enough to shake her head at me before speaking again. “I bet he’s proposing to her within the next few months. I’m surprised he’s not wanting you to move in with him.”
“Out of marriage, I wouldn’t approve of that. Felicity will stay here until that happens. If that happens.” A hint of anger is evident in Calvin’s voice.What is that about?
“You’re right, Sweetheart. That is the proper way for it to happen.” My head swings in my mom’s direction, shocked that she’s agreeing with him. What, are we living in the sixteen hundreds or some shit?
“So, does your boyfriend approve of what you do for work?” Harry asks, giving me a look as if he knows more than he does.
“Yes.” One word, but I don’t know what else to say.
