Page 39 of By His Play

Tell me about it.

“Oh, I’m just so happy for you. I never thought it would happen, but?—”

“Mom,” I interrupt to stop the verbal diarrhea that I know is coming.

“Don’t ‘Mom’ me. This is huge, Kieran. I’m so mad that you didn’t tell me yourself and let me find out online, but I’ll shout at you about that later.”

Flopping back on the bed, I let my hand and cell fall to the mattress as she continues telling me exactly where and what our ceremony should be like.

While King, Kian, and my closest friend have taken this news with a pinch of salt and more than a bit of skepticism, it seems that Mom is running full speed with it.

I let her talk. I know from experience that it’s better to let her run out of steam than it is to attempt to stop her. She’s been working on this all day; if she doesn’t expel it…I dunno, she might explode, maybe.

I have no idea how much time passes with her voice filling the guest room. I also have no idea what she’s saying.

It’s not until the sound of water running from the bath that I come back to myself.

“Mom,” I attempt, already knowing that I’m going to fail.

“It will be the perfect time. It’s the off-season and the weather will be beautiful. Just let me know when you want to book Effie an appointment with my designer. I just know that she’ll create the perfect?—”

“MOM,” I shout.

“Oh, Kieran,” she sighs, finally taking a breath. “I know I’m a little over-excited, but I’ve been waiting for this since you were both fifteen.”

I cringe.

“Mom, it’s not?—”

“The two of you...you’ve always been so perfect together. And the way you look at her...I’ve known for years that she’s the one for you. I’ve just been waiting for you to figure it out.”

“No, Mom. Effie and I are just?—”

“Perfect. Of course, she’s already one of the family, but I always knew she was going to be my daughter-in-law one day. I’m so excited,” she squeals again.

“Mom, you’re not listening to me. Effie and I aren’t getting married. This is all tabloid bullshit. I’m not in love with her. Effie is my best friend. That’s it. There is nothing else.”

“B-but you love her.”

“As a best friend, yes. But I’m not in love with her. I’ve never been in love with her,” I say, a little more forcefully than I intended.

A noise a few feet away catches my attention, and I lift my head just in time to see Effie fleeing down the hallway.

“Shit,” I hiss as I fully sit up. “Mom, I’ve got to go,” I say as she babbles in my ear.

Cutting her off, I jump to my feet, abandoning my cell on my bed as I chase after Effie.

Her door is ajar, and I press my palm against it as I whisper her name.

I cringe at myself for talking to her like she’s a cornered animal, but it doesn’t stop me from inviting myself in.

“Kieran,” she gasps, quickly gathering her towel back around herself.

“I’m sorry,” I say, stepping farther into the room.

“For what? You haven’t done anything wrong.”

Combing my hair back, I watch her as she awkwardly pulls a pair of sleep shorts on under her towel.

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