Damn it. Now I’m horny again.
At least he’s wearing a T-shirt with his sweatpants rather than his usual state of undress, but there’s an unmistakable bulge in the front that makes my face unbearably hot.
I glance at the door and let out a relieved breath. Ben is already gone.
“You’d better go before my mother catches you here.”
“I’m going. Definitely don’t want to lose my visiting rights.” He leans over and kisses me on the lips. It’s too quick for my liking.
Pouting, I say, “I can’t wait to move back home.”
“Me too, babe. We’ll try to convince your folks again today. If they refuse, I’ll just have to break you free like the Weasleys did for Harry in book two.”
“Oh my God. I can’t believe you know Harry Potter. You’re just a nerd in disguise, aren’t you?”
“Liking HP is hardly a qualification to be a nerd. Who doesn’t like it?”
“Charlie?” Mom’s voice echoes in the hallway.
“Crap. She’s coming and you’re still here.”
Troy glances at the door and then back at me. Nonchalantly, he pulls up a chair and sits down.
“What are you doing?” I hiss.
“It’s too late for me to sneak out now.”
A second later, the door opens, and Mom comes in. “Charlie, wh—oh, Troy. I didn’t realize you were here.”
“Just came in.” He flashes her an innocent smile.
Mom’s lips become a thin flat line as she watches Troy through slits for a second. She hasn’t warmed up to him yet, and I don’t know why. True, she knows about our rough beginning, but he’s been the perfect boyfriend from the get-go. I, on the other hand, have messed up royally already.
She turns to me. “I just came to ask what you would like for breakfast.”
“I was thinking maybe we could eat out today. I’m tired of being cooped up.”
Troy snorts, earning a questioning glance from me.
“What?”
“Sorry, you said, ‘cooped up,’ and it made me think of chickens.”
I don’t know if I should laugh or groan and end up doing a mix of both. The source of our amusement flies right over Mom’s head, naturally.
“I guess we could go to your favorite diner,” Mom replies.
“Really? Awesome.”
Troy stands up. “I guess I’d better get into the shower, then.”
“What, you’re not going to help me with mine?” I joke, loving to see Mom’s outraged expression and Troy’s are-you-crazy look.
“Ha-ha, Charlie. You’re hilarious.” Mom comes to help me out of bed, and Troy uses that moment to make his escape.
“I was joking, but it’s not like he hasn’t seen me naked before.”
Mom rolls her eyes. “Trust me on this, save your naked moments for sexy times. You don’t want to ruin the magic by making him help you bathe.”
I wrinkle my nose. She’s right.
Since we’re talking about relationships, I ask, “How are things with Dad? Is he going to stay for good?”
“We agreed to go to couples therapy. That’s something,” she replies in a clipped tone.
“Do you still believe he was cheating on you?”
It makes me sick to my stomach to ask, but I have to think about Ben. I don’t want my parents to start fighting all over again. And if Dad was having an affair, that’s something I don’t think anyone can get past, no matter how hard they try. Once the trust is broken, it’s gone forever.
“That’s not something I’m comfortable discussing with you, Charlie. Now let’s get you cleaned up for that boyfriend of yours.” She helps me out of bed.
“How come I have the impression you don’t like Troy very much?”
“He took Ben bungee jumping without asking us first, for starters.”
“Ben already told you that he lied to Troy and bribed the operator to let him jump without parental consent.”
I can’t believe he’d do something reckless like that, but considering the shitty situation at home, it’s not completely surprising. Ben was only trying to forget about the fighting for a while.
“It doesn’t matter. He should have confirmed with us.”
Gee, when Mom wants to be stubborn, she’s worse than me.
“Well, you’d better get used to him. He’s not going anywhere.”
Mom locks her eyes with mine. “You love him, don’t you?”
“Yes I do.”
“I hope he’s worth it.”
It’s impossible to miss the bitterness in my mother’s tone. It makes me angry that she can’t accept my happiness because her marriage is on the rocks.
“He is, Mom. Troy is worth everything.”
An hour later, we’re finally heading out of the house. My stomach is glued together already, making me regret I ever suggested going out for breakfast. Every little task takes forever with me hopping on one foot. I’m still getting used to my crutches, and Troy doesn’t know if he should help or laugh.
“At that pace, we’ll get there for lunch,” Ben pipes up.
“I don’t know, buddy. I think dinner,” Troy piles on.
I scowl at them. “Shut up, you two. This is hard.”
“Do you want help, honey?” Dad steps closer, but I shrug his outstretched hand off.
“No, I have to practice. I don’t plan to sit around the house until the cast is off. I have classes to attend.”
“Maybe we should take two cars,” Mom says as she joins us outside. “More room for you in the back, Charlie.”
I open my mouth to protest, but Troy cuts me off. “I’ll take my car.”
“Then I’m coming with you,” I say, earning a disapproving glance from both my parents.
“Me too,” Ben chimes in.
I can see them both gearing up for an argument, but the sound of a car fast approaching draws our attention to the road. This is a residential street; the speed limit is only thirty. Who’s driving like this is a Formula One track?
A red sportscar stops in front of our house, burning rubber as it comes to a halt too abruptly.
“Son of a bitch,” Troy mutters.
Dad takes a step forward, and a second later, a blonde hurricane exits the vehicle. Troy’s mother.
What the hell is she doing here? Looking for him?
“Elaine, what are you doing here?” Dad asks her. He sounds nervous.
She laughs derisively. “Isn’t this the picture-perfect image? Jason Fontaine, going out with his precious family.” She staggers on her high heels, highly intoxicated, judging by her slurred speech.
“Elaine, you need to leave. Now!” Dad grabs her arm and tries to steer her back to her car.
“No!” She breaks free. “I’m not leaving until I tell everyone what a coward you are.”
“I can’t believe this,” Mom grits out. “Is she the woman you were screwing, Jason?”
My stomach bottoms out. Troy’s mother is my father’s mistress?
I glance at Troy, imagining his shock is the same as mine. But he doesn’t look surprised. His gaze is anguished and filled with guilt when our eyes lock.