Page 61 of Exile

“I know who he is,” Mom snapped. “And I don’t like that you’re spending time with him after never even being interested in your life.”

I squeezed my eyes shut, covering my face with my free hand. I hated the way she spoke about him. “Mom…let’s not argue right now, okay?”

Caspian stepped closer, crossing his arms over his chest. He was watching me intently, not looking too happy. But I knew it wasn’t because of who I was talking to, but how I was being talked to.

I gave him a tight smile, wanting to let him know that I was okay.

“Listen,” I said, my voice calm. I wanted to talk to her normally and not fight over the phone. “I’ve been meaning to come back home…to get my things and move out.”

Caspian raised his brow at me, surprised by my made-up-on-the-spot plan.

I didn’t know if he wanted me to move here. I mean, he definitely wanted me here, but I didn’t want to violate his privacy. Although the way his face softened, he let me understand that he did like the idea of me moving in with him.

“Move out? To where? To his place?!” Mom was losing it. “Are you insane? That man did not care one bit about you, and suddenly, you want to move in with him?”

“Mom.”

“Darwynn, you’re coming home right. Now.”

“Mom, please. Stop.” I took a deep breath and closed my eyes before looking at Caspian again. “I’m coming home, and Caspian will be with me. I want you two to talk.”

“You’re out of your mind. Has he talked you into this?” she asked, sounding completely stunned. But her voice softened then. “Just come home, Wynnie. You’ve been gone for so long.”

I took another breath. If I didn’t ease her into this and showed up with Caspian without another warning, she’d be mad. She wouldn’t even let us into the house. “Mom, please listen,” I said, lowering my voice. “You and Caspian need to talk. Just talk, Mom. No accusations, no yelling. I know deep down you want to, and I can’t imagine that you don’t miss him even a little bit. And I know he misses you.”

The line went silent, and I held Caspian’s gaze as he nodded slowly. God, I hated how sad he looked. How hopeful his eyes were. Without having to tell her what Caspian and I were, I simply wanted them to talk again to at least clear things up.

“It would mean a lot to him. Just…hear him out,” I added, my voice breaking from all the heavy emotions inside of me.

I could hear her breathing, the internal war crackling through the static.

“I don’t know, Darwynn. I don’t know if I can do that.”

“You can,” I whispered. “And I’ll be there the whole time.”

“Fine,” she finally said, her voice tight. “One visit. That’s it.”

“Okay.” I smiled and gave Caspian a nod, reaching out to touch his arm and squeeze gently. “We’ll make it work. How does Saturday sound?”

“Yes, sure. Saturday works.”

“Great. I’ll see you then. Bye, Mom.”

I ended the call after she said goodbye, and I looked at Caspian with a crooked smile. “Sorry for not asking you first.”

His jaw was tight, his eyes surprisingly watery. “About the moving in part or visiting Julie?”

I pressed my lips into a thin line. “Both.” I stepped closer to him and wrapped my arms around his waist.

He put his arms around me, holding me close as he studied my face. “And you’re sure about this? Me coming with you, I mean.”

“Yeah. I think it’s time for you two to finally talk.”

He gave a small nod and leaned in to press a kiss to my forehead. “And about moving in? You sure about that, too?”

I smiled, resting the side of my head against his chest. His heartbeat mirrored my own. Fast and steady. “Very sure. Is it okay with you, too?”

He let out a low chuckle, rubbing my back with both hands. “You have no damn clue how fucking happy you just made me.”

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