When I look back to the screen, her eyes are brimming with tears. “Mom, don’t cry.” My own eyes fill, too. I try to fight it, knowing it will get everyone worked up. “We’ll always be our team, but I’m not a little girl anymore. You wanted me to find myself. Here I am, telling you I found it.”
Her shoulders drop. She’s taking in what I’m saying. “You are the best mom I could have asked for. Scratch that, you were the best mom and dad I could’ve asked for. You made me strong. You should not only have faith in my ability to make the right choice but believe that you raised me right. You should know that I’m picking what I want because you’ve crafted me into a strong woman.” I want her to see that she is a part of this. I need her at my side and don’t want to go through life without her approving of one of the most important journeys I will undertake. I will do it without her blessing if I have to, but I don’t want it to be that way between us.
“We stand together, Mom,” I remind her.
“Always together.” She nods in agreement. She lets out a long sigh and I know she’s finally getting it. “I know you’re right, Livvie Bell. I also know those men will take care of you. Sometimes I forget you’re not a girl anymore. Looking at you right now reminds me you’re a woman now. You haven’t been gone long, but you have blossomed so much. I see it all over your face.” She smiles. “You’ll still always be my little girl.”
“Always plan to be,” I respond instantly. “I’ll always need my mom.”
“And I’ll always be here.” This time I can’t fight the tear that slips free. I go to wipe it away, but Levi beats me to it as Zeke pulls me into his lap and kisses my neck.
“Baby.” Levi leans over, kissing the remainder of my tears away. I forget for a moment our moms are watching us. My eyes fly back to the screen and they’re smiling.
“You’re living there, aren’t you?” Mom raises her eyebrow at me. My cheeks warm. Not only because of what that implies but because I feel Zeke’s hard cock pressed against my ass. I fight the urge to shift in his lap. Levi pulls back from nuzzling me like he also forgot that our moms are watching us.
“Kinda,” I admit. I’m not telling her about my dorm room. It would only worry her, and besides I’m choosing to stay here. I was going to start staying there even before the room was destroyed. I make my own choices and rules now. Others can try and enforce and say what they want, but I’m not letting that affect my happiness anymore.
I’ve found myself. I see that the world can be a mean place, but it’s a whole lot easier when you have the people you love around you. The world is also a wonderful place that gave me a great mom, two men to love me and a new friend in Erika.
“And they haven’t asked you to marry them? Do those boys not realize what they have?”
I laugh. Her teasing breaks all the tension in the room. She was always good at making me feel lighter and loved.
Both Levi and Zeke act offended at my mom’s joke. I’m pretty sure it’s not an act, though. I raise my chin smugly. “Nope.” I scrunch my nose in contemplation. “Does that make me single?” I smirk, confident in the knowledge that I know every single one of my men’s buttons and when to push them.
“Motherf—”
“Ezekiel!” Christina yells at Zeke, cutting off his curse. I shake with barely restrained laughter. Zeke tightens his grip on my hip because I’m now bouncing on his hard-on. He better get used to it, now that I know why we had the sex marathon. They were trying to knock me out. Two can play this game.
“Sorry, Ma,” Zeke says in a cross between a mumble and a growl. Levi snickers at his tone.
“I think you boys know what she needs,” my mom says, making me smile. “Bring her home to see me soon. I miss my girl.”
“Will do, Ms. Moore.” Levi nods.
“I think we’re past the Ms. Moore,” she adds with a wink. The wink makes me think that I missed some of what was said on the phone before I busted in on their conversation. I’ll let it go for now. I actually like the fact that they have a secret with my mom. It just shows me how much they all get along and love each other.
“I’m going back to sleep.” I try and get up, but Zeke’s grip on me is too firm. I turn to glare at him.