Page 466 of Now and Forever

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Drake’s car is already parked in his parents’ driveway when I get there. As I’m pulling into an open space in the drive, my ringing phone distracts me from thoughts of Drake.

“Hey, Masie! What’s up?”

“You’re still coming for the barbeque this afternoon, right? Just checkin’, that’s all.” Masie’s chirpy demeanor helps ease my tensed body.

“Yep, I did say I was coming. Gotta go, Hon, I’m going to meet Mom’s boyfriend for the first time.” Hopefully, everything will be okay.

“Okay, see you in a few.”

After ending the call with Masie, I sit in the car, killing time. I took a couple of painkillers before I left my house, but it seems that it’s taking forever to kick-in. My head throbs and my arm hurts like it’s strained.

I lean back against the seat, closing my eyes, rubbing the area on my arm that is aching. Maybe, I have to get something stronger to dull the pain away, I think.

“Lily?” I hear Drake knock on my window. Without opening my eyes, I unlock my door and open it.

“Give me a minute. I should be out soon,” I mumble in response.

“Are you hurting, Babe?” Drake looks worried as he squats down to my level and checks my arm.

I flinch when he touches the sore spot. “Just a little, but I already took some pain meds before I left the house. I’m still waiting for it to kick in.”

Drake takes off my seatbelt and gathers me in his arms. “I’m taking you in. You need to rest.”

“I can walk. Put me down,” I protest. “Drake, I will rest, okay? But you have to let me walk. I can’t imagine what they will think if you burst inside the house with me hanging in your arms.”

Drake sighs. “I was only thinking about your welfare, Lil.”

I give him a quick kiss, which helps his mood. “I know.” I smile at him.

We slowly walk toward the entrance. Drake drops his arm off my shoulder once we enter the foyer. The Tatum’s Spanish-style residence is majestic. It has twelve bedrooms, a crazy amount of bathrooms, two kitchens, two pools and a huge tennis court.

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“Lily, I’m so happy you could make it.” Patricia kisses my cheek and gives me a warm hug before she lets go and kisses my forehead.

“Drake’s not being a pain is he, Hon? If he is, you go straight to me.” Patricia eyes us with a huge smile.

“Mom, Lily doesn’t feel too well. I’m about to take her upstairs and let her rest for a bit.” Drake stands a little closer to me.

“Of course, go say hi to your mom first, so she doesn’t worry. Do you need any medicine?” She doesn’t even let me respond to that before she orders Drake to tell someone in the kitchen to prepare some food for me and he can take it upstairs with him.

“I already plan on it, Mom,” Drake murmurs before walking away.

“Your mother is in the dining room with Colin and Hugh.” Patricia pauses. “You’re okay with her dating again, right? Your mom is happy. I can vouch for that.” You can see she is worried that I won’t approve of Mom’s new love life; it’s written all over her face.

“I am, Pat. I’m glad she did. She needs someone to be there for her, too. I’m actually pleased that it’s with Colin. At least we know the man already.”

Patricia looks radiant. “That is true. It’s just been too long for her. She deserves it.” Pat clears her throat and eyes me. “I don’t mean to pry… but I can’t help it. Drake can’t take his eyes off you. Please tell me that he’s trying to win you? You know there’s nothing in this world that would please me more… Drake and you together. It’s my only wish.” She looks expectant as she waits for me to speak.

Yes, Patricia. We all know it. I want to say that Drake and I are actually together, but I don’t want to get her hopes up. “All I can tell you is . . . I guess he’s trying.”

She is overjoyed. “That man . . . I keep telling him that there will be no other woman who will make him as happy as you, Lil. Every time I tell him that, he tells me to drop the subject, but I guess it did get through to him. The way my son looks at you, he won’t stop until he gets what he wants.”

“I know,” I whisper. I remember how relentless he can be and I clearly remember how he has been since I’ve succumbed to him. He’s insatiable and I love every second of it. The man knows his way around a woman’s body. I blush as I recall his antics.

Patricia and I go into the dining room and join the rest of the group. I greet Mom, Hugh and Colin. Colin is still pleasant and still looks the same since I last saw him. Which was ages ago. Patricia explains that I’m not feeling too well, but before I leave the dining room, I see her wickedly wink at me.

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