Chapter 26 Presley
PRESLEY
Iwasn’t lying when I told Lila my house was a wreck.
It truly was a mess, but I’d been busy trying to get things back in order. I’d already done two loads of laundry. I’d swept, vacuumed, and dusted. I’d also put things back where they belonged, and it was actually starting to resemble a home again.
From time to time, I would check my phone, hoping to find a message from Luke. He usually messaged several times throughout his shift, but I hadn’t heard anything from him in hours. It gave me an uneasy feeling, but I tried not to think much of it and kept my focus on cleaning.
Once I finished up in the kitchen, I tossed the rag in the sink and made my way down the hall to the laundry room. I pulled the clothes from the dryer and tossed them in the laundry basket before switching out the clothes from the washer.
I carried the basket into the living room and had just started folding them when headlights flashed across the living room window. I glanced up at the clock and was surprised to see that it was after nine.
It was pretty late. I didn’t usually have people stop by, and I certainly didn’t have them stop by at this hour. Curious, I got up and looked out the window just in time to see my mother and father step up to the front door.
One of them knocked, and I shouted, “Coming!”
I stepped over and opened the door, and Dad gave me a warm smile. “Surprise!”
“Hey there, honey.” Mom reached out and hugged me. “We were on our way home from dinner and saw your lights on.”
“You can’t pass my place without checking in?”
“Absolutely not,” Dad answered. “No way I’d miss an opportunity to say hi to my girl.”
“Well, I’m glad you stopped by.”
I shut the door behind them, and they settled into their usual spots on the couch. I went back over to my laundry and continued folding as I asked, “So, where did you guys eat?”
“We tried that new little bistro down by the square. It’s called Malones or something like that.”
“What did you think?”
“It was overpriced, and the food was mediocre,” Dad answered for her. “They’d do good to add a few things to the menu. Like a good steak or a hearty pasta.”
“They just opened,” Mom argued. “I’m sure they’ll add to the menu as they go, and I thought it was quite good. I was thinking I might take Vicky and Sue Ellen to have lunch there one day next week.”
“That would be nice.”
“You should take them to Dixie’s Café,” Dad suggested. “They’ve got better options, and they aren’t so damn high.”
“We eat there all the time.” Mom rolled her eyes in frustration. “I think they’d appreciate the change.”
“I’m sure they will.” Hoping to change the subject, I asked, “So, what’s been going on with you two? Any new projects at the house or family drama I should know about?”
“You and your sister are the only drama I know about.” Mom gave me one of her looks. “Has there been any other developments with Lila?”
“No. She’s been behaving.” I smiled as I told them, “I actually went by her work earlier. She’s a little stressed about her classes, but overall, she seems to be doing really well.”
“Well, that’s good to hear,” Dad answered, sounding relieved. “She’s a smart girl with a good head on her shoulders. It’s time she used it.”
“I couldn’t agree more,” Mom sighed. “I worry about that girl every single day. I really wish she would find a good man and settle down.”
I continued folding clothes as I told her, “He’ll come around sooner or later.”
“And what about you?” Mom settled back on the sofa. “Do you have new prospects we should know about?”
“Maybe.”
“Oh? Do tell.”
“It’s still early, but I’ve been seeing someone.”
Mom’s face lit up with excitement, while Dad’s smile faded into a grimace. He leaned forward as asked, “Who is this fella?”
“His name is Luke. We actually went to high school together.” I didn’t want him worrying unnecessarily, so I added, “We’re taking things slow. Getting to know one another.”
“That sounds nice.”
“It has been.” I looked at Mom and smiled. “He’s smart and funny, and he’s handsome, too. I really enjoy being with him.”
“So, he’s your age?”
“Pretty close, I guess.”
“Has he ever been married?”
“No, not that I know of.”
“Any kids?”
“No.”
“What about a record?”
“I highly doubt it.”
“Okay, so what does he do?”
“I guess you could say he works security.”
“Where?” Dad pushed.
“Stop interrogating her, honey,” Mom fussed. “Give her a chance to talk.”
“Okay. Then, get to talking.”
“There’s not much to tell.” I folded my last T-shirt and placed it on top of the pile. “He’s not like anyone I’ve ever dated before.”
“Oh, you like him.” Mom smiled. “You like him a lot.”
“Yeah, I do.”
Dad’s voice was riddled with concern as he asked, “How does this boy treat you?”
“Like I matter.”
I gave him a moment to process what I’d said, and Dad’s expression softened. He leaned back on the sofa and crossed his arms with a nod.
“That’s what’s important.”
“I think you will like him.”
“I’m sure we will.”
I knew they would have their doubts about Luke, and I couldn’t blame them.
Luke was so different from Gary that I was sure they would be questioning the relationship.
They both thought the world of Gary and couldn’t understand why things fell apart with him.
I didn’t have the heart to tell them that we lost interest in one another.
I wasn’t sure Gary ever had a real interest in me. If I had to guess, I would say he didn’t. Our marriage was just for show, and while I would always think the world of him, I couldn’t stay married to him.
They’d witnessed my heartbreak, and they didn’t want me to go through that again. So, their hesitation was understandable. Mom gave me a warm smile as she said, “You seem happy.”
“I am happy.”
It felt good to say that out loud. It was true. I was happy, and not just because of Luke. Things in my life were good, and that included things with Lila Kate, work, and everything in between. Dad cleared his throat before asking, “When are we going to get to meet this fella of yours?”
“I’m not sure. I’ll talk to him and see when he’s free.”
“That would be great.”
All the talk about Luke made me realize that I still hadn’t heard from him. Thinking I might’ve missed a call or text, I reached for my phone, and my chest tightened when I looked down and saw the blank screen.
Something felt off, so I sent him a quick message, asking if he was okay.
Dad was staring at me with furrowed brows. “Everything okay?”
“Yeah. All is good.”
“You sure?”
“Just checking on an appointment I have tomorrow.” Hoping to turn the focus back to them, I asked, “So, where are you two love-birds headed to next?”
“Home,” Mom answered without hesitation. “It’s already past my bedtime.”
“Mine, too.” Dad stood and leaned back, stretching. “We should be back home just in time to catch the news.”
“Oh, you and the news.” Mom shook her head. “We wouldn’t want you to miss something.”
Mom stepped over to me and gave me a quick hug. “I’m glad you stopped by.”
“Me, too. Call me tomorrow.” She gave me an extra squeeze. “I want to hear all about this new friend of yours.”
“Lunchbreak.” I gave her a wink. “Now, you two get home and be careful.”
“Will do.”
Usually, when they left, their warmth remained, filling my place with a sense of home. But tonight, the silence left me feeling a little anxious. I wasn’t sure what was going on with me, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong.
I tried to ignore it and started putting my clothes away. As soon as I had everything put away, I checked my phone again.
Still nothing.
I told myself it wasn’t a big deal. He was working. It was probably a busy night, and he hadn’t had time to reach out. I said it over and over, hoping I would eventually believe it, but it wasn’t sinking in.
I wandered back to the couch and turned on the TV, trying to distract myself with my favorite show. My mind drifted, and I started thinking about last night. It felt so good to be in his arms. I always felt so safe and wanted. I loved that about being with him.
I also loved that I could trust him. Truly. I shared my insecurities about him working at the Vault, and he didn’t turn it against me. Instead, he assured me I had nothing to worry about. He even went so far as to tell me to come check things out for yourself.
He said come any time.
See for yourself that you have nothing to worry about.
He said it so matter-of-factly, like it was no big deal at all. I thought for a moment, then decided he was right. It wasn’t a big deal. I was just going to stop by and say hello. I could see for myself that he was right and that I had nothing to worry about.
I changed into a pair of jeans and a sweater. It was nothing fancy, but I threw on some earrings and pulled my hair up, trying to make myself look a little more presentable. I grabbed my keys, and before I could change my mind, I headed out to my car.
The closer I got to the Vault, the more nervous I became.
I’d been there before. Davis had taken me there as part of his ruse.
I was there to play the part of his girlfriend.
It wasn’t an easy task. I despised the man, and I hated standing there next to him, smiling and pretending to be crazy about him while beautiful women circled the room like they owned it. I hated every second of it.
But I’d put that all behind me.
Tonight was different.
Tonight, I was going to see Luke. Because he told me I was welcome to come any time.
He wanted me to see that I had nothing to worry about, that he was a man I could trust. My heart fluttered at the thought of walking in and catching his eye across the room.
Seeing his eyes light up and that crooked little smile.
I thought tonight would be about being reassured.
I couldn’t have been more wrong.