Page 32 of Stuffing His Stocking

“Aw, we’re so cute,” I tease.

“Great, now you’ve ruined it,” he deadpans, and we both laugh. His smile fades when he mentions Bruce again and how the jerk is threatening to cut off his own son, unless he endsthings with me. I’m trying not to take it personally, but I’d be lying if I said it didn’t hurt.

I make the only suggestion I can think that always works for me when I’m in a bind. “Let’s call my mom.”

Dylan looks at me skeptically. “You can’t be serious.”

“We were gonna tell her eventually, right? Might as well do it now, so she can find out from us before she hears it from someone else.”

“Maybe,” he half-heartedly agrees.

“She’ll appreciate it more if it comes from us. And besides, she can help us decide what to do about Bruce.”

Dylan lifts a single eyebrow. “This is assuming she doesn’t feel the same way he does.”

“You’re right. But Mom is nothing like him. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised by her reaction.” At least I hope that’s true. Mom loves me more than anything, and I don’t doubt that. If she knows something will make me happy, then she’ll tell me to go for it. She certainly has in the past, anyway.

Dylan exhales a loud gust of air as his shoulders sag. “Call her. Can’t be any worse than the conversation I just had with my father.”

I know that’s true. I absolutely hate this for him.

I remove my phone from my back pocket and bring up my mom’s number. Once I hear the first ring, anxiety starts to settle in my chest. I’m sure everything is going to be fine, but there’s still a niggling of doubt in the back of my mind.

“Hi, honey! Miss me already?” Mom’s voice is bright and cheery, just like it always is when I call her.

“Well, yes, but that’s not why I’m calling.”

“Oh? Is everything okay?” I can hear the worry creep into her tone.

“Yes and no. I’m gonna put you on speakerphone. I’m here with Dylan.” I glance at him from the corner of my eye and cansee the reluctance written all over his face. “Mom, can you hear me?”

“I can hear you,” she confirms. “Hi, Dylan.”

He smiles at her greeting. “Hi, Carol.”

“So, what’s this all about?” It’s just like Mom to get down to business.

I briefly tell her that Dylan has just heard from Bruce, but he elaborates on the details of that call while Mom silently listens.

After a thoughtful pause, she finally speaks up. “That’s not right! He can’t threaten you like that, Dylan.”

I turn my focus to him. “No, he can’t,” I reiterate. He smiles but it doesn’t reach his eyes.

“And our relationship? You… don’t have a problem with it?” Dylan asks, hesitation evident in his tone.

Mom’s breezy laughter comes through the speaker and catches us off guard. “Who do you two think you’re fooling?”

My brow furrows and I tilt my head. “What do you mean?”

She can barely catch her breath between snickers. “This is a big house, but it’s notthatbig. Noise can travel through the floor. And you two certainly aren’t the quietest.”

“Ew. Mom!” I huff.

“Oh, please. You’re twenty-three-years-old, Livie. I know you’re not a virgin.”

Dylan snorts while I’m utterly mortified. “I’m begging you to stop.”

She continues to laugh and Dylan joins her, while I wish I could hide under the couch.

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