Page 89 of You Had Me At Thirteen

One thing I know for sure is that either way, I’m screwed.

THIRTY-SEVEN

Wren

* * *

Mum and Dad arrived home just after Matilda and I had finished cleaning up the kitchen. Knowing my cum was still in that beautiful pussy of hers had me wanting to go again, but I had to rein it in when I heard their car pull into the driveway.

For once, Dad is being a husband. Or just a decent human being. The bare minimum shouldn’t get praise, but here we are somewhere close to that. It’s been a while since he’s taken Mum out for dinner, so when she mentioned they were heading out, I knew it was the perfect time to try show Matilda how I feel about her.

Instead, I fucked that up as soon as she tried to admit her feelings for me.

Mum’s face lights up when she spies Matilda, but my dad avoids her, only giving her a quick nod before he stalks to his office. It’s odd, even for him. He’s not usually this much of a dick, but there’s a look of guilt on his face. Of what, I don’t know, but honestly, I can’t give two shits about him. Everything I need is standing right in front of me.

I allow my two favourite girls a few moments together, captivated by the brightness in my mum’s eyes as Matilda lights up the goddamn room with her beauty. It’s not just on the outside. Her fucking heart could steer a ship to safety in the darkness.

After a moment, I drag Matilda away, sending my mum pouting like a child, and grabbing Matilda for one last quick hug. I have to turn away to hide the emotions threatening my eyes. If only they had more time to get to know each other. If only I wasn’t so damn stubborn, I wouldn’t have pushed Matilda away for so long. Now the thought of her deciding I’m too much to handle sends my stomach into knots.

‘Jesus, you two, you can see each other tomorrow,’ I say, taking a step towards the front door.

Matilda narrows her eyes on me. ‘Quiet, I’m saying goodbye.’

Mum grins. ‘I like this one. She knows how to put you in your place.’

‘Yeah, yeah.’ I grab Matilda’s hand when she gets closer and drag her out the door.

When I finally get her alone again, I pull her against my chest and breathe her in. My body relaxes around her, as though everything is going to be okay. She calms my insides, if only for a moment in her presence.

After dropping her home, I need a minute to process everything, so I sit on the top step of the porch, listening to the quiet of the night. Thursday nights are my fight nights, but now that Mum’s medication isn’t working, there’s no need for the money. Sure, I still need to release all my anger, but being around Matilda is helping with that. I’d forgotten what it was like to just exist. No worries, no death lingering in unspoken words.

Matilda was going to admit her feelings for me tonight before I cut her off. I’m not ready to hear those words fall from her pretty mouth just yet. For one, I don’t fucking deserve them. And two, I don’t know how to say them back. Just the thought of admitting my feelings for her makes my stomach churn. Something unspoken transpired between us tonight, which will be enough for now. Hopefully.

‘Hey sweetheart,’ Mum says, her voice startling me.

‘You okay?’ I search her body for any sign that she’s in pain, or worse.

‘I’m fine,’ she says as she sits next to me. ‘Are you okay?’

I nod. For once in what feels like forever, I’m okay. ‘Yeah, I am.’

‘You seem… different.’

‘Different?’ I raise an eyebrow.

‘In a good way.’ Mum nudges me with her shoulder. ‘It’s nice to see you smile.’

‘I know where this conversation is going, and I’m not having it with you.’

Mum holds her hands up as a sly grin spreads over her face. ‘I don’t know what you’re talking about.’

‘Sure you don’t. I know what you’re doing.’ I side-eye her as she shrugs her shoulders, pretending she’s innocent in her quest for knowledge.

She threads her arm through mine as she rests her head on my upper arm. ‘I just like seeing you happy. I’ve been worried about you, but Matilda brings out the best in you. That’s all mothers want you know? To see their babies happy.’

I rest my cheek on the top of her head. ‘I know.’

There’s nothing left to say as the silence lingers between us. Mum knows me better than anyone, but what happens when she’s not here anymore? I shake those thoughts away. Not tonight.

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