Thank fuck.
Mom gets up from the table to answer it. “Hello?” She smiles, then returns to her seat, putting it on speaker and setting it in the centre of the table. “Hi, Darren. Cade’s here.”
“Yeah, he mentioned,” Darren says. “That’s why I’m calling. To keep that little fucker in line.”
“Darren.” Mom shoots the phone a warning look, as if she thinks he can feel it through the speaker.
Dad and Darren chuckle, and I just take a bite of chicken.
“Finish the yard work?” Darren asks.
“Yup,” Dad says. “Got all the fallen trees cut and split for firewood this winter.”
“Awesome,” Darren replies. “Also awesome that it’s done, so I don’t have to do any work when we visit.”
Dad huffs. “Oh, I can still put you to work.”
I keep my head down and eat while they talk about all the projects Dad’s got lined up. He’s been retired for less than a year, and somehow he’s busier now than when he was working.
“What’s that?” Mom asks suddenly.
I glance up at her, and she tilts her head curiously, frowning at my neck.
“What?” I ask.
She gestures to the side of my neck. “You have a bruise on your neck.”
I set my fork down and lift my hand to cover it.
Fucking Alder.
“Ohhh,” Darren drawls through the phone. “Is it a hickey?”
Both of my parents immediately turn to me, and Mom’s eyes go wide with poorly disguised excitement. “Is it?” she asks, way too hopeful.
I look between them, then pick up my fork again and continue eating.
“So, it is,” Darren says, sounding smug. “Tell us about him.”
“Fuck off,” I mutter, shovelling food into my mouth faster now so I can leave sooner.
“You met someone?” Mom presses gently.
When I lift my eyes to meet hers, they’re filled with quiet hope and excitement.
Mom and Dad are both looking at me like I’m a tragic, lonely wreck, and this is a miracle moment that proves I’m not completely broken.
If only they knew who thissomeonewas, and what it really is.
Which is just fucking, whenever and wherever he shows up.
“It’s nothing,” I say flatly, taking the last bite of my dinner.
“Doesn’t look like nothing…” Dad says with a raised eyebrow as he takes a bite.
“Does he work at the university too?” Mom asks, practically bouncing in her seat.
“I can’t believe you actuallylikeanother person,” Darren chimes in with a chuckle.
