Page 122 of Grounded
I shush him and Theo lowers his tone and repeats, "I knew it was you."
"Oh, yeah, that was me."
"Do you know how horrible it was having to wait for the next episode to come on? You of all people should know how sacred a show or movie is, Ms. Mellie."
"Well, once we catch up onGame of Thrones, maybe we can startBreaking Bad? I've never seen it."
"Neverseen it?"
"I might have resisted because I knew you liked it."
"Oh yeah, way too immature to get along as teenagers," he confirms in his usual mocking nature.
"Coming from the boy who didn't know how to put a toilet seat down to save his life."
"I was fully capable of putting it down. I didn't on principle, to piss you off."
"Why am I not surprised?"
"You haven't noticed I've purposely left it up still? My last attempt to get under your skin?"
I have no idea how to get around this. I haven't been using the upstairs bathroom unless it's to shower because I am not doing my business anywhere near that gorgeous man. And when I have my period? Big fat N-O.
"Of course I noticed. I'm choosing to be the bigger person and ignoring it."
"See, we've grown up. We are mature adults now."
I silently laugh to myself because choosing to handle my personal business in my dad's downstairs bathroom so Theo won't find me is indeed the definition of childish.
Time speeds past us when we are getting along. Theo and I have been watching TV and talking for longer than I intended.
I'd rather end the night on a positive note than bring up the nagging question if he'll ever accept my dad into his life. I'm not expecting them to do father-and-son activities, but it'd be nice for Theo to acknowledge his existence. Am I being unreasonable?
We handled the death of our parents in our own unique way. I'll never stop missing my mom, but I was able to welcome Molly into my home and support my dad the best I knew how. Theo seemed to ignore their marriage and everything that came with it.
If he needs time to recognize we are his family whether he likes it or not, I will give it to him. "Family" echoes in my brain, and I have to pull back the shame that might be evident on my face. It's another reminder that whatever relationship Theo and I have now—friends, stepsiblings, roommates, inevitable sexual partners—it won't last. It can't last.
Itwas3:00a.m.by the time Theo and I dragged our asses back to our respective rooms. The fantasies dancing around my head all night began with Theo sneaking into my bed and ended with him sneaking out at sunrise.
My greedy appetite is ravenous when a soft knock wakes me up.
I rescind the thought of Theo surprising me in my room because my morning breath is out also waking me up.
"Come in?" I wheeze.
My dad enters wearing his typical summer outfit: a short-sleeved polo and shorts.
"Morning, I didn't realize you were still sleeping."
"I need to get up. Aren't you going to Costco soon?"
"Yes, that's why I'm here. The truck bringing the rental tables and chairs for the party tomorrow got a flat tire. It's possible they won't make it at all. I'm taking a few trips back and forth to pick them up myself. I wanted to see if you'd keep Molly company while she picks up the food."
Hang out one-on-one with my stepmom? Theo isn't available for this?
"You don't have to." My dad retracts his idea after my brief moment of contemplation, and I'm filled with guilt.
"No, I can go. Is she leaving now? Let me get dressed."
