Page 56 of Fueled Fury

34

Lainey

Against my better judgment, I steer into my mom’s driveway. I’ve been hiding out all week at my dad’s and she knew it. Over the last few days, she’d grown relentless in wanting me to have dinner with her and David. A message from David asking if I wanted to join them this evening is the reason I finally said yes. That and the other is to avoid the place I don’t know if I want to go—the Dome. It’s still early in the evening but spectators will already be flowing into the place to watch tonight’s festivities.

Walking through the door, I make my way to the dining room but find the table empty, then go into the kitchen where my mom is speaking with Madison.

Oh no. When I accepted the invite, I thought it was the three of us and not half of the demon stepsibling duo. A scary thought crosses my mind because more times than not, they travel in pairs.

Shit. My suspicion is confirmed when I look over to the patio and spot Matt speaking with David. Usually, my stepdad will give me a heads-up if his mutant spawns are going to be around.

“Lainey.” My mom gives me a smile, unable to stop her eyes from moving over my tank and jeans. “Why are you wearing that? It’s a little chilly outside, especially with the breeze from the water. I’ll go grab you a proper sweater.”

Why had I voluntarily stepped foot in here? I’ve been perfectly content at my dad’s house. Even with him home, he’s given me space to adjust to our new goal of trying to move on. We both know nothing will change what’s in the past, but both of us are ready to move forward.

There’s a question I’ve avoided asking him about Austin, knowing it will hinder the little progress we’ve made, but it’s all that’s consuming my mind. Even watching Matt stroll in the door, all I think about is the last time Austin was here.

“Hey, baby.” Matt moves to the fridge, grabbing a beer bottle as he holds it up to me. “Want a beer? I won’t tell. Promise.”

Ugh. He’s disgusting on so many levels.

“I’m sure she still needs a sippy cup.” Madison stubs her nose up as she wraps her perfectly manicured fingers around her wineglass.

Most of the time, I’ll spar, say something at least to vent some frustration out but I don’t care. She’s not important. Neither is her snickering brother making his way out to the patio as my mom returns with a sweater and hands it to me. None of their opinions or words make a damn difference.

“No, I’m good. It’s chillier in here.” I drop the sweater on the counter and walk outside. There is a cool breeze, but I won’t be staying long. There’s one person I need to speak with.

David greets me with a smile, asking me how I am.

I need to ask and I trust his answers more than my mom’s.

“Was it you?”

“One sec,” he responds, sending an annoying Matt off to fetch him another beer as the one he holds in his hand is still full. As Matt walks inside, David asks, “What were you asking?”

“Was she with you when she was still with my dad?”

He appears uncomfortable as he looks to the house and back to me. “I think you should speak with your mom about this.”

“I want you to tell me. I trust you, and I need to know if it was you.”

He shakes his head. “No, it wasn’t me. Your mom told me about the affair, but we didn’t start seeing each other until your parents were separated.”

I knew I could trust him. I can’t say my feelings towards him wouldn’t have changed depending on his response. But I’d still trusted that he would tell me the truth. That’s all I wanted.

“Why don’t you sit down and ask your mom some questions? I’m sure she’ll explain better than I can.”

“I don’t want to know. I’ve just been wondering if it was you.” Crossing my arms over my chest, I look back as I see my mom talking to Madison and Matt while I stand outside with David. A great visual of how it always has been. I relate more to my stepdad, and his kids steer more towards her.

“How can you trust her? If she did it to my dad, how do you know she won’t do it to you?”

“I don’t. And I can’t stop her if that’s what she wants to do. But it’s my choice if I want to stand by afterwards and allow it to happen.”

“Has it?” I ask then feel like I’m prying. “Never mind. I shouldn’t have asked.”

“No. She hasn’t gone outside our marriage. We all make mistakes, Lainey. Just because we make them once, doesn’t mean we’ll make them again. Some of us learn our lesson the first time.” David looks inside the house. “And I’m sorry to say, but some never learn—like Matt. He never learns his lesson even when someone serves him a good and well-deserved kick to the nuts.” David laughs.

I let out a small laugh, wrapping my arms around David and hugging him tightly. “Thank you for being my island.”