On the Plus Side

Page 80

“I’m not pulling away. I just have someone to spend time with now.  We’re in love.” I flashed a big happy smile.
“Don’t be ridiculous, Lilly. You don’t know what love is.” She ran her fingers nervously through her hair.
I’d never seen my mother look so unsure and with the way she was acting, I was almost convinced that the doctor had called her and told her the big news already.
“I think it’s time you stopped spending so much time with Devin,” she said flatly, like I was some fourteen-year-old girl that had to listen to her.
It wasn’t going to happen.
“Did you just hear me, Mom? I love him. I’m with him every night.”
Her eyes got large as she looked me in disgust.
“Are you having sex with him?” She looked so irate that I stepped back a little.
“That’s personal,” I blushed.
“Oh my God, you are! What have I done?”
What had she done? She had nothing to do with it.
“You didn’t do anything. It just happened, but he’s a great guy and I adore his family. I’m not saying we’re going to get married or anything like that, at least not any time soon, but you need to get used to Devin being in our life now.”
I wanted so badly to tell her that he was the father of her granddaughter, but I wouldn’t take that away from Devin. If I was the first to know for sure, then he should be the second.
“Over my dead body!” She screamed.
I’d never heard my mother raise her voice like that and it really freaked me out. Maybe I should’ve been more worried about her response to the baby and not so much about Devin’s.
She didn’t even give me a chance to respond before grabbing her purse and running out the door.
She just needed some time to cool off. Once she had some time to relax, maybe a spa visit, things would be better. Soon I’d invite her to lunch somewhere and fill her in on the big news. She just needed some time.
I knew Devin was busy at work so I didn’t call, but I did send him a text.
Me: I miss you.  Is it cool if I come by and see you a little later?
Devin: I miss you more. Absolutely! I can’t wait to see your sweet face. I’ll be done with work around five.
Me: OK. See you then.
Devin: OK. I love you, beautiful.
Me: I love you, too.
I’d tell him that afternoon. I’d lay all my cards on the table and pray that my hand was good enough to win.
Twenty-Nine
Rule Changes
I stared down at her last text.
I love you, too.
I never thought there’d be a time when those words would warm me. I loved Lilly and I was happy. For the first time in my life, I was really content. I’d kept the fact that her mom was paying our loan in the back of my mind because it didn’t matter anymore. Her mom would never tell and I’d decided I wouldn’t either. It didn’t matter why we met. The fact was we did meet and she was the best thing that could’ve ever happened to me.
I couldn’t wait to see her later. I hadn’t been able to stop thinking about her all day and I fully planned on taking my time and kissing every square inch of her body later.
It kind of threw off me that she wanted to come to my house, instead of me going to her apartment as usual, but I’d do whatever she wanted. It had been a while since we had sex in my bed. It sucked having to be quiet because of Dad and Jenny, but it was good just the same.
I loosened the lug nuts and removed a flat tire from a Caravan that was brought in. The tire needed to be replaced since the wires were starting to come out. The woman hadn’t said anything about replacing the tire, but she had four kids and there was no way in Hell I’d let her leave here with her tire in such bad shape.
I’d take it out of my pocket, no big deal.
I was humming along with the radio and not paying attention to anything around me when I heard a car door slam.
The she-devil rounded the corner and my entire day went to shit.
“You!” She pointed at me. “You stay the hell away from my daughter, got it?”
Her face was flushed in anger. It was a big change from her usual reserved, bitchy nature.
Then her words sank in. She was telling me to stay away from Lilly. My heart skipped a beat and I suddenly couldn’t swallow.
“What?” I forced the single question out.
“If you want your money, stay away from my daughter! Break it off. I didn’t mean for it to go this far. I didn’t think you’d actually start to care for her or that she would honestly fall for you. I want better for her. I specifically said not to touch her and you did it anyway!”