28. Chapter 28
Chapter 28
Ezra eyed the neighborhood as he drove down the street. A lot of cars were parked on the street, some in driveways, not much room between houses. Most of the houses were decorated for the holidays and there were enough kids’ bikes and toys left in yards or on porches that it was clear this was a family-friendly neighborhood.
He followed the dot that represented Lucas’s phone to a little ranch-style home painted a cheery yellow he could only see because of the streetlights. Porch lights were off and there was a teal Celica in the driveway. On the back window was a small sticker that said support local arts . Berlin had done a search on Lucas’s girlfriend—Magnolia did not know—so he knew that was her car.
He parked behind it, scanned for any potential threats, didn’t even see any cameras or security system signs. Instead of infiltrating the house, he decided to just…knock on the front door.
After knocking for a third time, the door flew open and Lucas stood there, looking a little like a deer in headlights, but also a teeny bit defiant. Yeah, the kid wasn’t sorry at all.
And Ezra understood, considering how many times Magnolia had snuck out to see him. God, they’d been so reckless back then, but he couldn’t muster up any regret.
Lucas glanced past Ezra. “Is my mom with you? ”
“No, just me.”
Lucas let out a long breath then stepped back. “Is she pissed?”
“She’s worried about you,” he said as he walked into the cozy home.
A girl with jet-black hair streaked with red and green peeked around a corner, her dark eyes wide.
“You can come out.” Lucas held out an arm and a petite young woman about his age darted out from the other room and slid right into his hold. Lucas cleared his throat. “This is Emma, my girlfriend. Her mom split town without paying rent so Emma’s friend said she could crash here for the week while they’re visiting family in Mobile for the holidays. I didn’t want her to stay here alone.”
“Normally I sleep at the theater but they had a big thing tonight so I couldn’t.” Her voice was soft, nervous.
“Well you guys aren’t staying here. Go pack up your stuff, both of you.”
“I’m not going into the system.” Her body language changed, going completely rigid.
“I know. You’re both coming with me. We’ll stay at the safe house for now. I assume you told her what’s going on?” He looked at Lucas, eyebrow raised.
Lucas nodded. “I thought I couldn’t tell anyone about the safe house.” There was a hint of sarcasm in his voice.
Ezra bit back his exasperation. “Well if you’re going to sneak out and put yourself in danger anyway, you’re both coming with me. And your mom cooked pesto lasagna rolls.”
His eyes widened slightly. “Is there any left?”
“Maybe. I’m not sure if Berlin devoured them all but if you hurry, you might get lucky.”
As the two kids went to get their stuff, he texted Magnolia. He’s with his girlfriend. I’m bringing them both back. They’re hungry… Maybe go easy on him? We were a lot dumber at his age.
She just sent him back a dry-faced emoji. Then… I’ll go easy on them and get their rooms ready. ROOMS, as in plural!
Ezra just smiled and texted her back a laughing face .
Once they were in the SUV, both kids in the back seat, he glanced at the two of them in the rearview. Emma had her head laying on Lucas’s shoulder, her eyes closed, and Lucas was looking down at her as if she hung the moon.
Ooooh, Ezra knew that look. Yeah, Lucas wouldn’t stay put if they told him to. He was too close to being old enough to move out on his own and he loved this girl.
“Is Berlin, ah…”
“Mad?” Ezra supplied. “She’s not happy with you. And she’s really into revenge.”
At that, Emma sat up slightly. “What?”
“Since you’re under eighteen she might give you a pass.” Ezra kept his voice neutral as he resisted the urge to laugh. “But she’s been known to shave heads or put Nair in people’s shampoo if ‘they’ve angered the goddess.’ Her words, not mine. In some cases, she’s cleaned out people’s bank accounts.”
Lucas’s eyes narrowed. “You’re messing with me.”
Ezra grinned as he pulled up to a stoplight. “I’m pretty sure she’s done all those things, but yeah, she’d never do that to you. But you did break her trust and it’ll take time to earn it back.”
Lucas groaned. “I just didn’t want Emma to be alone.”
“Oh god, your mom is going to hate me.” Emma looked pained.
“No she won’t,” Ezra said before Lucas could respond. “ You didn’t do anything wrong. Lucas should have told his mom what was going on. None of this is on you.”
“I thought it would be easier to ask for forgiveness.” Lucas half grinned, but Ezra could see the hint of worry on his face as he glanced at him in the rearview.
“Maybe. But if you break someone’s trust enough times, it gets harder and harder to earn it back.” Ezra turned the radio up slightly, left it on the holiday station as he headed back. He figured that was a good note to end on anyway.
** *
Magnolia had plates and glasses set out for the kids as they arrived. Even though she’d been swimming in fear that something had happened to Lucas, she was glad Ezra had been the one to pick him up and not her.
She’d had time to have an actual reaction and not overreact in front of her son’s girlfriend. Because at the end of the day, she never wanted to be like her own father. He’d judged Ezra without getting to know him. And while she’d never be a “cool mom,” she still wanted to have a relationship with anyone that Lucas brought home.
“I’m sorry I snuck out.” Lucas pulled her into a hug the moment he, Emma and Ezra stepped into the kitchen. “I just hated the thought of Emma being alone. I wasn’t trying to break your trust.”
“It’s my fault, Ms. Lavigne.” Emma stepped forward, the girl Lucas had told her about looking impossibly young in that moment. “He only snuck out because I asked him to.”
“None of this is your fault. And I’m sorry that you’ve been on your own. We’ll make sure someone picks up your car and brings it here or to my house for a bit. Are you guys hungry?” Because food fixed everything.
Emma looked at Lucas and the two had a silent conversation before they both nodded.
Aaand that was that. She fed her son, his girlfriend, then showed them to their separate rooms before making her way to Ezra’s room.
He was already in bed, sans shirt because clearly he was trying to give her a heart attack. “You know they’re going to end up in the same room, right?” His tone was dry.
“I’m choosing not to think about that at all.” She stayed where she was, leaning against the closed door. Because if she got any closer, she’d end up in bed with him. And she wasn’t a glutton for punishment, thank you very much. He’d already rejected her Christmas invitation. “I’m so angry at that sweet girl’s mom for just abandoning her.” She hadn’t wanted to say much because of Ezra’s own history, but they were eventually going to have to do something.
“Yeah, me too. ”
“I’m about to get some sleep but I wanted to thank you for how you handled things with Lucas. It helped having time to figure out how to react.” The last thing she wanted to do was push her son away.
“Of course.” He cleared his throat and sat up slightly and there was something in his expression she couldn’t read.
So she opened the door, needing an escape. Because keeping things platonic between them was killing her. Yes, yes, it was probably the smart thing to do, but emotions she thought she’d buried, or at least managed to get a handle on years ago, were all bubbling to the surface. “I’ll see you in the morning.” She was out of his room, shutting the door behind herself before he could respond.