“That’s where you’re about to go. I asked what you’re doing. Why are you packed?”
He isn’t seriously asking me that, is he? I stare at him for a moment. “I’m not staying while your mom is here.”
“Why not?”
“Because!” There’s a reason, I know there is, but my mind can’t come up with one right now. It just seemed like the most obvious and logical thing to do.
“Are you taking Otis too?”
“He’s my dog. Of course I’m taking him.”
Brayden folds his arms over his chest and stands upright. He looks huge and towering. I suddenly know how Raelynn felt that day when she saw him. He can definitely look intimidating. “What if I want you both to stay?”
“I don’t know, Brayden. Her room is right there!” I point behind his shoulder.
He laughs. “It’s not like we’ve been fucking lately, darlin’.” Ugh. That’s true. No sex since his concussion.
“She’s here to see you,” I try.
“And to meet you.”
“She did. She’ll see me again Thursday.”
His eyes narrow. “Leave if you want, but I’ll be pissed if you do.” He turns and walks out of the room.
Well, what the hell do I do now? Leaving seems like the right thing to do. His mom is primarily here to see him, not me. I don’t want to be in the way or take from their time together. It’s weird to stay here in Brayden’s room with her in the house. That seems like it requires a certain level of commitment or seriousness and I don’t know where we are on either of those things. I’m not sure Brayden is thinking about it like this either. He just wants me here. Maybe he wants a buffer or something. I don’t know.
I sit on the bed. I need to decide before I leave for work and I still have some time before I told Rose I’d be there. Rose! I grab my phone and text her, asking for advice. It takes about a minute before a response comes in.
Rose: DO NOT RUIN THIS, DEANNA! STAY! He asked. He wants you there. STAY. If you don’t, I’ll kick your ass. Don’t be an idiot again.
“Deanna?”
I glance up at the sound of Maryann’s voice and quickly stand, as if I shouldn’t be sitting on her son’s bed in her presence. “Hey.”
“It seems you’re considering leaving?”
“Just to go back to my home. I don’t want to intrude or anything and I don’t live here, so...”
She gives me an easy smile, which relaxes me just a bit. “For Brayden’s sake, you might want to stay.”
“What do you mean?” I ask with confusion.
“He’s down there grumbling under his breath and telling Otis that if you leave, he’s kidnapping him while you’re at work.” She shrugs. “He wants you here. Might as well stay.”
“Otis can stay,” I start, but she interrupts me.
“Deanna, dear, you’re not intruding.”
“Okay. I’ll stay then.” I have no choice, it seems. At least she’s okay with it. We walk downstairs and find Brayden lying on the couch with Otis. Maryann sits in one of the chairs. “I have two classes tonight, so don’t wait on me for supper,” I tell Brayden.
He grins. “I’ll save you a plate.” He grabs my wrist to pull me down for a kiss.
His stupid grin widens as I feel my cheeks burning. “See you later,” I mumble before making my escape. Can his mom leave already? I am not comfortable this. Not at all.
***
“Are things serious between the two of you?” Mom asks the moment the door closes behind Deanna.