Page 30 of Shattered Skull

“Right,” Mom said, breaking the awkward moment. “How about we eat?”

It was then I smelled garlic bread. She had cooked—something she hadn’t done since we moved.

I was quiet during dinner, listening as Erik and Will talked about cars and the local hangout spots I knew nothing about. Mom sat to the side and smiled at the two of them hitting it off, but I couldn’t believe Erik was okay with Mom dating a guy just a few years older than him.

Okay, so Will was twenty-six, but still.

After dinner, everyone left me to do the dishes. The old house didn’t have a dishwasher, and even though I had never done dishes before the move, it was easy to catch on.

Once I finished, I went upstairs instead of joining them for a movie in the living room. It was nice to have Mom and Erik home, but it was weird having a young guy lying in Mom’s lap while she played with his hair.

Mom dating anyone was weird for me, but this guy was so young.

After I showered, I went into my room and listened to music while I went over my notes for a test the next day. With my earbuds in, I almost didn’t hear the knock at my door. I tugged the buds from my ears.

“Come in,” I called out.

When the door opened, it was Will standing there.

“Hey,” he said.

I set my book to the side.

“Is everything okay?”

“Yeah, I just wanted to make sure we were cool. You didn’t seem too thrilled about me being here.”

I shrugged. “Whatever makes my mother happy. It’s her house, not mine.”

He chuckled a bit, and the sound was deep and scratchy. It sounded older than he was.

“Sure, it’s her house, but it’s yours too. Anyway, I hope we can get along. Your mom’s a special lady, and I care about her. I want things to work out.”

I nodded, but I had nothing to say to that.

“So, if there’s anything I can do to make this change smoother for you, let me know.”

He was trying.

The least I could do was try, too.

Again, I nodded. “Thanks. I’m sure it will work out.”

I attempted a smile, but my lips felt stiff.

“Okay, well, goodnight, Everly.”

“Goodnight, Will.”

He stepped back and closed my door.

Weird.

The entire situation was bizarre, but I guessed all that mattered was my Mom’s happiness. Her dating a younger guy wasn’t my business, and I could maybe get along with the guy someday.

Who knew?

Turning off my lamp, I pulled up my blanket and settled into bed.

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