Page 20 of Lust in Translation

CHAPTER SIX

KENDALL

“HE’S BEEN OUT FORfour days with the flu. There’s no way he’s contagious anymore. He said the doctor gave him the medicine that helps kill it quick.” Adam is looking at me like I’m crazy. Leo is the latest victim in the flu epidemic. It’s been convenient as I catch my new student up on the Spanish lessons, but the last time I talked on the phone with Callaway he sounded like crap. “I’ll just drop off this soup and ginger ale and leave. I promise. A quick drop off. I won’t catch any flu germs and bring them inside our home.” I hold up my palms and grin.

“It’s a bad idea.” I’ve had sex with Adam once more since the first time. I even participated a little more, let the foreplay last a little longer, kept my eyes open longer. Needless to say, our therapy session this week was much shorter and ended on a mountain peak high. We’re finally making the strides that willclinicallyhelp our marriage succeed. Mentally? I’m confused. Still trying to sort through the things I feel when I’m with Adam. The difference now is when I talk to him about those things, he doesn’t get mad and frustrated. I’m meeting all of his physical needs, so he’s more receptive to my emotional turmoil. “Just leave it on the doorstep. Ding and dash. The flu this year is no joke.” Adam folds his arms across his chest.

“I need to make sure he’s doing okay. He’s a man. He’ll tell me he doesn’t need anything from the store, and when I look for myself, the cupboards will be bare. Don’t deny the masculine-fueled blindness. It’s a thing.” I sling a hand on my hip and dare him to challenge my stance.

Leo spoke with Adam on the phone the day after our cranberry bog night, and since then Adam’s whole opinion of Leo has changed. He no longer feels threatened, outwardly anyway. It’s like Leo said, he is a man, so there will be jealousy, but he seems happy I have a friend. Deep down I think he’s just happy he’s getting laid and my mood has improved. Adam is willing to overlook a lot of other things with this new occurrence in our healing process. Neither man would tell me what they spoke about.

“After you take the soup, can you swing by Mom and Pop’s for some paper towels? We’re out.”

I package up the soup in an insulated bag and ask if we need anything else from the store. There is a pep in my step that wasn’t there moments before. Does Adam sense it? The joy I feel in knowing I’m going to see Leo. Is that because I miss my friend or something more? I wince, shaking my head as I envelop myself into a huge puffer jacket and don my gloves and hat. “See if there’s any new movies to stream for when I get back?” I offer.Give.

“I won’t be long.”

“Sure thing. I do have some work to finish up in the meantime.”

Right before I shut the front door, I see the smile slip from Adam’s face. Looks like we’re both playing the game. My cell rings almost as soon as I get in the car, and I answer on my Bluetooth.

“Hey, Mom,” I say, keeping my tone chipper. She is so clued in to my habits and demeanor, she’ll be able to diagnose a mood over the phone.

“You have a good day, sweetheart?” she asks.

My heart squeezes. I miss her. “I did. A lot of the same stuff different day. The new student is more adept at Spanish than Callaway,” I tease.

My mom groans. “Aidan says he called him the other day.”

Well, that makes my womanly intuition crawl. “What about?”

Mom makes a noise. “Work, I think. I couldn’t hear them well. Your brother was playing his little drum sticks. I’m going to throw those in the trash as soon as the batteries die, by the way. Who buys a toddler a toy like that? Anyway, I think they talked about you, too, because Aidan got angry.” Mom laughs and it makes me chuckle.

“He’s not so bad. I’ve been telling you that for a long time now. I’m bringing him soup right now. He caught the flu. Figured he might need a few things. You know guys.” The extent of Mom’s knowledge is that I’m teaching Leo Callaway. She is unaware of the friendship. Again. A secret from her. Like it was five years ago when I was a senior in high school and Aidan was a nineteen-year-old SEAL fresh out of BUD/S.

There’s a long, awkward silence. “Adam doesn’t mind that you’re friends with a man? With that man?” She clears her throat. “Kendall.”

“What, Mom? I hear the accusation in your voice.” So much for her not knowing about the friendship.

“You’ve been happier the past few weeks. Is that why?”

“Or could it be that I’m finally moving on and getting better? Getting over losing the baby? Why does everyone always assume the worst when it comes to me? I’m friends with Leo Callaway. That’s all.”

“I never accused you of anything. You took it there all by yourself. Think about that for a second, sweetie. Are you feeling guilty?”

I blow out three huge breaths to contain the urge and try to answer the question rationally. She has a point. “Only because I think male and female relationships are frowned upon because everyone assumes the worst. Can’t it just be that he understands me and I understand him?”

Mom swallows. “It can be that. Of course it can. Answer me one thing, though, without any prejudice and no one else will ever know the answer…except me. Okay?”

The chicken noodle soup has stunk up my car, and what is it about moms and their all-knowing wisdom that makes your nerves ratchet up? “Okay,” I agree.

“Are you attracted to Leo physically?”

“My God, Mom.”

“Answer me.”

“Everyone is attracted to Leo. I’d imagine you would argue everyone is attracted to Dad.” Even though Aidan isn’t my real dad, I will casually call him that as he’s been the best role model in the dad department. Mom will know who I’m talking about.

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