Page 59 of Mr. Edwards
“You’re delusional,” I snap back, instantly on the defensive. And it’s not because I don’t believe him, I’m pretty sure that’s exactly what’s happening.
Panic wells up inside me; I’ve never let any of my previous relationships go this far. I feel like I’ve come to a crossroads, and I’m veering toward the road less traveled, and that thought scares the bejesus out of me.
“Lie to yourself all you want, but I see the truth.”
“You see what you want to see, nothing more,” I whisper angrily.
He chuckles like a smug motherfucker, because he knows I’m full of shit.
Janelle leads us toward the dining room off the kitchen at the back of the house. Her home is impeccablyclean and stylish, yet still has a homely feel to it. Worlds away from where I came from. There are family pictures framed throughout that I’d love to get a closer look at, but I don’t want to appear nosey or rude.
Grayson and I take a seat at the table while his mother and grandma disappear into the kitchen to plate up the food they’ve cooked.
“You’re allowed to like me, you know?” Grayson states, gripping my knee under the table. I keep my eyes trained forward as I brush his hand away. He laughs at this, scooting closer, and throwing his arm around the back of my chair. “Stop fighting it,” he says, leaning in to place a kiss on my cheek. “Just let it happen and before you know it, it’ll come as easy as breathing.”
That’s exactly what I’m afraid of. What happens when I let my defenses down, allowing him to see just how fucked-up I am on the inside? He’ll leave me for sure. I can’t process any of this right now, I feel like I’m on the verge of a panic attack. I don’t want that to happen in front of his family, or him for that matter.
The women bring out dish after dish of scrumptious-looking food, lining it all up in the center of the table. It’s a feast fit for a king, and my stomach grumbles with anticipation. Do they eat like this all the time? It reminds me of how those perfect families on television dine. I didn’t realize people did this kind of thing in real life.
“Let me help?” I ask, going to stand.
“Nonsense.” His mother places her hand on my shoulder to stop me. “Sit, sweetie, you’re our guest.” I nod, taking my seat again. I was hoping for a distraction. “Don’t forget to take your washing before you go, honey,” she says, moving her attention to Grayson.
She points across the living room to where a neat pile of folded clothes sits in a basket. There’s a stack ofperfectly ironed shirts, jeans, and long pants on hangers hooked over the door handle above it.
“Thanks, Mom.”
I wait until she turns and leaves the room before I speak. “You still make your mother do your washing and ironing? Remind me how old you are again?”
“She wants to do it,” he answers defensively. “My housekeeper is more than willing to do my laundry, but my mom insists.”
“You have a housekeeper?”
“I’m a busy man, Carlee. My company doesn’t run itself. I don’t have time to look after that monstrosity on my own.”
“Oh, so now you’re admitting your house is too big?”
He shrugs. “Only because I live there alone, once you move in it won’t feel that way.”
Glancing at me, he winks and I gasp. This whole thing is moving way too fast, and it’s making my head spin. “I’m not moving in with you, Grayson.”
Picking up one of the bowls in front of him, he starts dishing food onto his plate like he doesn’t have a care in the world. “All in good time, sunshine. All in good time.”
Gah.
After lunch was finished, we moved to the main room, where we stayed for the next few hours. I find out that Grayson’s sister is away at college, she’s eight years younger than him. A few questions throughout the afternoon are leveled in my direction, but thankfully nothing I can’t answer without incriminating myself, my past, or my parents.
Janelle touches briefly on her husband, Robert’s, passing, tearing up when she talks about him, and so does Granny. Grayson just bows his head. I reach for him when he does that, folding my hand around his. I’veenjoyed my time here; it’s been nothing like I imagined. His family’s nice, and despite my earlier reservations, they seem to be very accepting of me.
When it’s time to leave, they walk us out to the car, helping carry out Grayson’s clean laundry. I still can’t believe a grown man lets his mom wash his clothes, but seeing how motherly she is toward him, I don’t doubt that she enjoys doing it.
Janelle hugs me. “Don’t be a stranger.”
“Thanks for having me today, and for lunch it was amazing.” They even gave us some leftovers to take home.
I wind down my window once we’re seated in the car, and his grandma sticks her head in. “Oh, Gray, I almost forgot, do you have any condoms on you?” I bite back my smile when Grayson groans. She extends her hand through the window toward him, wiggling her fingers like she’s waiting. “Dan from Bingo is taking me out tomorrow night. Rumor has it he’s been shagging that skank Delores from down the street. He never brings protection with him, so God only knows what kind of diseases that dirty ho has passed onto him. I warned him no glove no love. He may get my juices flowing, but he’s a stubborn old bastard.”
I throw back my head and laugh when Grayson grimaces and scrubs his hands over his face. “Spare me the details, Granny,”
