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“Yeah.” I nod, forcing a smile. “I will.”
“Good.” he rises from the couch. “I’m hungry. Do we have anything in the kitchen?”
“Sorry. I ate the leftover pizza slice.”
“You monster.”
Chuckling lightly, I pick up the remote control and turn off the TV. I need to get some work done. That’s the only way I can keep Kaylee out of my mind. I rise from the couch, walking to the guest room. There’s a knock on the door. Dylan appears from the kitchen, holding a banana.
“Are you expecting anyone?” He asks.
“No.” I shake my head. “You?”
He shakes his head, peeling off the banana skin.
“I’ll get it then.” I drop the remote control and walk over to the door. A part of me wishes that it’s Kaylee standing outside. Maybe she’s missing me just as much as I’m missing her. Yeah, there’s still a small issue with Dylan. He’s probably going to punch me in the face, but I’m sure I can convince him.
Convince him about what exactly? Your intentions? What exactly are those?
“Shit.” I stand before the door, holding the handle. I know I like Kaylee, and I care so much for her, and I want her close to me every time, but I don’t know much else. There are too many variables we have to consider. The fact that she loves this town and the simple life. I can be anything, but the one thing I’m not is simple. I can’t stay in one place for so long, so when I leave, what’s going to happen to her? To us? If we’re being reasonable, being together shouldn’t even be something we should even consider. But then, when she’s near, reason and logic take a backseat.
The knock sounds again, and I look up.
“Ian! Get the door!” Dylan snaps from behind me.
“Yeah, I’m–” I pull open the door. My brow quirks up at the person standing on the porch. It’s definitely not Kaylee.
“Mom?”
Melissa turns around to look at me. She has a soft smile on her face. She’s wearing a red and black checkered blouse and black skinny jeans. Her hands are clutching tightly to her black leather purse.
“Hello, Ian.”
“What’re you doing here, Mom?”
“I want–” she pauses, turning to the side. “I want us to talk.”
“I don’t know if there’s anything to talk about.”
“You won’t even invite me in?”
I turn my gaze to the ground and after a moment, I nod to her. “Come in.”
I step back in, opening the door wider. She walks in, looking around at the living room.
“So, Ian, I was thinking we should order some more pizza!” Dylan yells from the kitchen. “I mean, I know we had pizza yesterday, but I wa—” He stops abruptly as he steps into the living room.
“Oh… um…” He chuckles nervously. “Hey… Mrs. Reynolds.”
“Hello, Dylan.”
He chuckles again, turning to me. “You know what, I just remembered, I have this thing… um, something I have to attend to.” He backs away. “So, I’ll, um… I guess I’ll see you later.” He disappears into a corner. The living room reverts to silence as Mom looks around. Her gaze rests on a picture of Dylan and Jessie, beaming at the camera. She smiles.
“You know, when you guys were younger, I always thought you’d be the first to settle down. I thought Dylan was the free spirit, not you.”
My smile is tight.
“Even Kaylee,” she chuckles. “Well, I knew Kaylee was going to get married immediately, but not to the guy she did.” She turns to me. “I kinda thought—” She stops, waving me off. “You know what… never mind.”
