“And her father’s not in the picture?”
“No. He left when she was just a kid.” I decided to leave out his recent reappearance.
“Well, I can see why you’ve fallen for her. I like you together. You complement each other.” I knew my Mom meant it. If she didn’t like Becca, I’d know.
“Now the question is: what are you going to do to make sure you keep her?” Mom shifted so she could look right at me.
“You mean with her going back to Boston?” I hated to even think about it.
“Yes. What are you going to do?” she repeated her question.
“I’m not sure yet, but we’ll make it work. I’m not letting go.”
“Good for you. Don’t be afraid to take a chance. I know you’ve been hurt, but that doesn’t mean you should be afraid.” Mom looked at Dad for agreement.
Dad gave it. “If the girl’s as special to you as I think she is, she’s worth the risk.”
“I’m not afraid. I brought her home, didn’t I?” I was tired of everyone acting like I wasn’t over Dawn. I’d been over her from the moment she’d left. I just didn’t feel like being some girl’s doormat ever again.
“That you did.” Mom patted my leg before standing up. “It’s late. I think we should all head on up to bed.”
“Sounds good. Goodnight.” I hugged Mom and waved goodbye to Dad. I was disappointed to discover that Becca really wasn’t sleeping in my bed. At least it all worked out in the end.
***
Becca mumbled again, curling up in my arms. I closed my eyes and just enjoyed her closeness. Finally, I calmed down enough to sleep.
***
Becca wasn’t in bed when I woke up. I patted her empty side of the mattress, disappointed when I just touched air. I threw on some clothes and ran into Brody on the way down the stairs.
“Sleep well?” he asked with a smirk.
“Very well.”
“I bet.”
“Nice job scaring my girlfriend.” It wasn’t his fault, but that didn’t mean I was supposed to be happy about it.
“How the hell was I supposed to know she was in my bed?” He grinned.
“Okay, don’t say it like that again.” I didn’t need to think about Becca in anyone’s bed but my own.
He laughed. “You do seem to always get the gorgeous ones, man.”
“It’s definitely true this time. Becca’s perfection.”
“Perfection? How far gone are you?”
“Far.”
I heard Becca and my mom laughing from the back porch, so I poured myself a cup of black coffee and headed out.
“Good morning.” I kissed Becca on the cheek and took a seat next to her on the porch swing. She had her bare feet tucked up under her. I loved how comfortable she seemed.
“Morning.” She rested her head on my shoulder. “It’s about time you got up.”
“You could have told me you were going down.”
“You looked so peaceful.”
I reflected for a second on how nonchalant she was about us sleeping together. She’d certainly changed her tune.
“Where’s that brother of yours?” Mom interrupted.
“I’m right here.” Brody walked out, taking a bite out of a strawberry Pop Tart. He was still such a kid sometimes.
“I’d yell at you for slinking in like that last night, but I’m just so glad you made it.” Mom got up and gave Brody a huge hug. He had to bend down for it. “How long have you been up?” I sipped my coffee, still getting used to seeing Becca on my porch.
“Not too long. Maybe an hour.”
“An hour? What have you been doing?”
She shrugged. “Just talking to your mom. I’ve definitely heard some good stories about you as a kid.”
I groaned. “Oh, no.”
Mom put her empty coffee cup on the side table. “Stop it. We were just getting to know each other better. It was pleasant getting to talk without any interruptions.”
“I bet.” I shifted my coffee into my left hand so I could put my arm around Becca. “What’s the plan for today, boss?” Mom always hated it when I called her that, but it was true. She ran things at the Powell house.
“The party is at seven, so I’ll need you all ready by six thirty. Otherwise, the day is open. I think the rest of the crew will be over in an hour or so.”
“The crew? That’s what you call your children now?” I teased.
“Now that I’ve got five grandchildren thrown in the mix, it’s an appropriate term.” She beamed, letting us know just how proud she was.
I still had to tease her. “Are you complaining?”
“No, you know I’m ready for more.” She looked at me when she said it. Brody was only twenty-two. He still had a few years before she got on his case about it. According to my family, twenty-seven was ancient.
“I think I might go take a shower.” Becca sat forward, upsetting my arm.
“Okay, I think you’ll find everything you need in your bathroom.” Mom snapped into hostess mode.
“I’m sure. Thanks.” Becca headed inside with a small wave. She seemed really nervous again.
“This is a lot for her to take in, huh?” That was a surprisingly perceptive comment coming from Brody.
“She’s an only child of a single mom, so yeah, a big family is a bit of a foreign concept, but she’ll be fine.” I finished my coffee, setting down the empty mug on the swing beside me.
“Fine with Amanda, David, and everyone, or fine when fifty guests arrive later?” Brody polished off his second Pop Tart.
“Both. I’ll just make sure not to leave her alone too much.”
Mom scowled. “She won’t appreciate being baby-sat. Give her any space she needs. She’ll be okay.”
I waited about a half hour before heading upstairs. Becca sat on the bed blow drying her hair. I was surprised. She rarely took the time to do that. I guess she was trying to look nice for the party. She needn’t have worried. She always looked amazing.
She hadn’t heard me enter over the noise of the blow dryer, so I snuck up on her.
“Arrgh.” She jumped off the bed, flinging the blow dryer in the process. “Was that necessary?”
“Absolutely.” I knew I hadn’t really scared her, and I brushed some nearly dried hair away from her face.
“Are you going to shower?” She retrieved the dryer, probably getting ready to turn it back on.