Page 89 of Hide and Sneak
“Wait, you have to see this from my point of view.”
A grin climbs across her face and her eyebrows raise as she crosses her arms. “Go ahead. Defend yourself.”
“It was just…so funny.”
She can’t restrain her amused expression as she shakes her head. “You’re an awful person. Do you know that?”
“Yes, but you love me.”
“Maybe I should rethink that,” she jokes.
“Nope, too late. You love me. Just look at you, all over me. You love me so much I’m almost embarrassed for you.”
My teasing is stopped by her next words. “Are you going to fuck me in front of that fire or what?”
Amos better get used to the idea, because I’m going to marry this woman.
Other than a scathing message her mother left the day after Amos walked in on us, Lila hasn’t heard from her family for a week. It’s been a wonderful, peaceful time where we’ve both settled into our new living arrangements. We still spend every night together, sometimes at her place and sometimes at mine.
The peace is broken on Saturday when Lila’s mother leaves another voicemail.
“Mom wants us all to meet. To try to smooth things over,” Lila says as we’re finishing lunch at her apartment. Reluctance is clear in her voice.
“What do you think?”
“Everyone has had some time to cool down. It’s probably a good idea. But I’m not going to sit there and be lectured. If it gets ugly, we can leave. I don’t care.”
She does care though, and I hope they can at least pretend they do too. “We’ll storm out together,” I assure her. “Do they want to have dinner or something?”
“No, she asked if we can come to her apartment.”
“At the over fifty-five complex? What should I wear? Dress pants pulled up to my nipples? I’ll have to borrow some white Velcro shoes.”
I’m happy to see the reaction I was hoping for when she smiles. Her smile never fails to make my day.
“Don’t forget your fanny pack.”
I wonder where Amos has been staying. The apartment complex Gloria lives in is a nice, pricey one but it’s limited to older and retired residents so he isn’t living with her. I’m afraid this sudden urge to reconcile might be about letting Amos move in with one of us again. That’s not going to happen.
Lila is quiet on the drive over to meet them. When we park in front of her mom’s apartment, I slip my hand under her hair to rub the back of her neck. She’s so tense. “Hey, whatever they have to say, you’ve done nothing wrong, understand?”
“I know. I’m alright.” She forces a smile as Amos pulls into the parking spot beside us.
“Can you give us a minute?” I ask her, and she nods, heading for the front door.
“Hey,” Amos says.
“I wanted to talk to you first and apologize. I’m sorry that I didn’t tell you I was seeing Lila. We didn’t expect to fall for each other.”
He sighs and leans against the car. “I’m sorry I brought up that old shit. I was pissed.”
“It needed to come out. I should’ve told her anyway.”
“So, you really love her? You’re going to stay together?”
“Yes.” I don’t want there to be any doubt about that. “We’re in love. I hope you know I’ll be good to her.”
His reluctant nod is probably all the acceptance I’m going to get. “I don’t doubt that. She’ll have you buried in your backyard if you aren’t.” The mood lightens a bit and he adds, “I moved in with Mandy. We’re going to try to work things out so I can be there for the baby.”
