Total pages in book: 134
Estimated words: 131209 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 656(@200wpm)___ 525(@250wpm)___ 437(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 131209 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 656(@200wpm)___ 525(@250wpm)___ 437(@300wpm)
“I’d like that,” I stated.
He cocked an eyebrow with a surprised look.
“No! Not that… I mean, not that I wouldn’t mind that… I’m just saying that… us… going at it… I mean, no…” I sighed.
He chuckled. “You’re really adorable when you’re nervous. I’d like that, too. How about we pick you up around eight? Sound good?”
I smiled, nodding.
I drove home with butterflies in my stomach for the night ahead, and never in my wildest dreams did I imagine where the night would lead.
<>D<>
“Are you still taking your prescription?” my mom questioned as I closed the fridge door.
“Mmm hmm…”
“Then why do you look like you haven’t been sleeping?”
“Is that your nice way of saying I look like shit?”
“Devon…”
I laughed. “I’m fine, Mom, just been studying for finals.”
She cocked her head to the side. “Then you shouldn’t be coming home every weekend.”
“I want to come home every weekend; I miss you girls.”
She nodded. “I know you do, but you need your own life. Don’t you want to meet a nice girl? You’re twenty-five years old and you’ve never brought a girl home. I’m starting to worry.”
“Maybe he’s gay,” Lauren, my sister, chimed in, walking into the kitchen.
“Nah, he’s too manly to be gay,” Alexis, my other sister, responded, walking in behind her.
“Thanks for the vote of confidence, girls,” I replied.
“No problem, big brother,” Alexis said.
“Where’s Liv?” I asked.
“She’s at school, working on the play that they have coming up,” Mom responded.
I nodded. “That’s right, I remember her saying something about that.” I took a bite of my sandwich and then Lauren took it right out of my hands, making her way into the living room.
“Thanks for the sandwich!” she shouted.
“Brat!” I yelled back.
“Devon, I’m being serious,” Mom scolded, bringing my attention right back at her. Alexis was busy texting on her new phone I brought back for her. She was a freshman and all her friends had cell phones, and I didn’t want her missing out on anything. They would have a normal upbringing, nothing like how I had grown up.
“I completely understand that, Mom, but I honestly don’t have time. Between work, school, and you girls, my plate is full.”
She sighed. “That’s what I worry about, Devon; you took this role of man of the house when your dad died and as much as I appreciate it… I’d love to see you happy and settled.”
I grinned. “I am happy; taking care of you girls makes me happy. Mom, you know you couldn’t afford everything on your own. Dad’s life insurance only covers so much and you have two more college tuitions to pay for. I already help with Lauren’s now… so can you get off this conversation? I’m fine. I’m sleeping. I swear,” I lied.
I never slept, even with the medication. I stopped taking it years ago.
“What about therapy? Are you still talking—”
“Mom! Stop worrying. I’m doing everything I’m supposed to be doing. I promise.”
“Okay, I love you, honey. I’m a mom; it’s my job to worry.”
I smiled. “You’re a great mom and I love you for it. Now here,” I said, handing her an envelope of cash.
She opened it and threw it back at me. “No! You pay for enough, I don’t need this.”
I rolled my eyes. I didn’t understand why she always did this, I ended up winning every time and it just prolonged the inevitable.
“Go buy yourself something nice then. Maybe the girls need something; isn’t homecoming coming up for Alexis? It’s her senior year.”
She nodded.
“Then see, you might need it for something. I made some amazing tips at the bar last week. Don’t worry about it. I have money for myself, this is for you,” I exclaimed, not calming her scrutinizing glare.
I worked at a bar near the UF campus and made a killing most days. I was graduating with my master’s degree in business at the end of the semester. I had been saving enough money for the last few years to get Alexis a car as a graduation present; I had yet to tell my mom. I knew it wouldn’t fly over very well so I was postponing the wrath.
I helped my mom as much as I possibly could since my dad died when I was sixteen. I didn’t mind it. I was grateful that the fucker was dead and underground; I hoped he was rotting in hell where he belonged. I took the responsibility of being the man of the house and never looked back. I took pride in taking care of my mom and sisters; they were all I had left. My mom endured years and years of pain that we have never talked about. My sisters and I didn’t talk about it, either.
It’s as if he died and took all the truths and secrets with him. That’s what I had therapy for, but I loathed going and sitting with a complete stranger that didn’t know shit about me and only pretended to care to get paid after his sixty minutes. I stopped going to him years ago, but I didn’t want my mom to worry; she had enough on her plate. I told her what she wanted to hear and it had worked for me for the last four years.