Page 115 of Fiery Romance

I smile and hang up.

When I return my attention to the women, I realize the room has fallen silent.

“What?”

“It’s too domestic to be plain ole’ boyfriend and girlfriend,” Sunny says, stroking her chin and squinting at me.

“And too settled in to be newlyweds,” Dejonae pipes in. She’s obviously the youngest of the women, but her giant smirk matches them all.

“They’re an old married couple,” Kenya declares with a decisive jerk of her chin.

The other women nod.

“It’s really not like that,” I defend myself weakly.

“Whatever you say, honey.” Vanya winks. “Now how about we crank up the music and get this party started? I’ve just stopped breastfeeding and I’m ready for some wine.”

CHAPTER12

THE IN-BETWEEN

CLAY

The farmhouse belongsto Darrel Hastings and is on a quiet plot of land with lots of trees and enough exit strategies for me to comfortably instruct Palinsky to wait out of sight.

Night’s fallen by the time Abe and I slow down behind a block of cars in Darrel’s driveway.

My son hasn’t been moodily staring out the window tonight. I even saw him smile once, though it wasn’t at me.

He seems slightly less angry at the world and I can only credit that to being back in the play.

I want to ask him how it felt being on stage after the break. I want to ask what he likes so much about being in the spotlight. I want to tease him about getting that theatrical streak from his mom’s side.

But part of me is hesitant to broach any topic and cause another fight.

This is a tenuous peace.

I’d rather let it sit than rattle the cage.

“Come on,” I tell Abe, popping open my door.

“Are we going in?” He frowns.

“Of course.”

“Why not just honk?”

“Honk?” I scowl. “A gentleman should go inside, say goodnight and then leave with his lady. Or his sister as the case may be.”

“That’s too complicated.”

“No, that’s good manners. You have to put in the effort if you want to stand out. That counts for everything, school, relationships, family.”

Abe scrunches his nose.

“It’s a lesson for the future, soldier.” I wave him out.

He reluctantly follows me to the porch.

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