Chapter 2
Molly
I can feel his eyes on me as I cross the street to my parents' house. Truth be told there wasn't anything I needed in my trunk, I'd seen Dakota out there with Lucy and I wanted to distract him. Distracting him is my absolute favorite pastime.
When I walk into my parents' house, I call out. "Anybody home?"
My dad swoops in, hugging me tightly. "Was wondering when you were going to come in here."
When he lets me go, I smile widely. "Had to go over and see how Dakota was handling trying to teach Lucy how to drive. Remember when I helped Levi?"
He snorts. "Really thought I was going to have to have a funeral for that kid at sixteen. I believe you said something about killing him and really meaning it."
Oh I had. The little shit hadn't wanted to pay attention to me.
More than anything he'd wanted someone else to teach him how to drive, but it had fallen on me because of our parents' jobs.
Little did I know back then that I'd be teaching a man who now patrols the back roads of the county.
"I thought about it," I admit. "But I feel bad for Dakota, Lucy's got a quick mouth on her. "
"Just like you," he grunts when I pinch his arm. "What are you doing today, Peanut?"
Even though he gave me that nickname when I was a small child, I still love to hear him call me it. Some people go their whole lives without having that kind of relationship with their parents, and here I am lucky to have it with both of mine.
"Mom invited me over for lunch. You know that she always makes the same thing." It's become well known in our family, everyone comes over to have black eyed peas, collard greens, pork chops, and cornbread. "You act like she doesn't do this every year."
He raises his eyebrows. "She does, but you're here pretty early for lunch."
"She wanted me to come over early and curl her hair. It's what we do, old man. Where's she at?"
"Hey Molls, thanks for coming over early. I know you're busy."
Tilting my head to the side, I put my hand on my hip. "Mom, come on. I'll do whatever you ask me, as long as I can. Where do you want to do the curling of your hair?"
She curls her finger and motions for me to follow her to the bathroom that's through her and dad's big bedroom. "In here."
When I look around, I see that she's got her hair products and curling iron set out, along with a chair.
Mom takes a seat, and then I meet her eyes in the mirror that's in front of us.
"Not that I don't love spending time with you, but what is this?
" I ask, my voice deadpan, as I reach over and grab her brush.
"What do you mean, Molls? You know I don't like to curl my own hair."
This woman taught me how to bullshit. So she's not going to do the same to me.
"Cut the shit, lady. You may not like to curl your own hair, but you do it almost every week.
The only time you ask me to help you curl it is if you're injured, you have an important event, or if want to find out something about me or Levi.
So which is it? What is it you want to know? "
The fact that she shifts uncomfortably in her seat means I've called whatever bluff she made to invite me early. She has the damn nerve to huff.
"Oh no, you don't get to huff, mom. You brought this upon yourself."
"Okay." She sighs. "You got me. I saw something the other day and I wanted to ask you about it. I knew that if I just came right out and asked, you wouldn't tell me either way, so I figured we could have a good afternoon together. Sue me."
Now we're getting somewhere. "So what is that you saw, or think you saw?" Because with her, she can sometimes write an entire story in her head about someone just seeing them once.
I take a piece of her hair and wrap it around the curling wand.
There's a low-level buzz in the pit of my stomach.
There's something telling me that this is about me.
I'm not sure why, maybe it's the twinkle in her eye, the way she's smiling like she has a huge secret, or the way she's clasping her hands in her lap.
It's as if she's holding it all in and it's about to burst from within her.
"Molly," she hisses. "I saw you."
"You saw me, what?" It's not hard to keep my expression impassive. I got away with a lot as a teenager, which wasn't easy to do, given the amount of law enforcement in my family. The only way I could do that was because I have the poker face to end all poker faces.
She shifts slightly in the chair rolling her eyes, and blowing out an exasperated sigh. "Coming out of Dakota's."
It takes everything I have to keep my poker face. "He's my friend too, Mom."
Her eyes meet mine in the mirror, and she's deadpan as she says the next words. "At two am, Molly? Even I know that's a booty call."
The laugh bursts through my chest and lips as I finish the curl and set the wand down.
"A booty call? Mom? Me and Dakota? He's too young for me, and he's Levi's best friend.
You know I don't date men who wear uniforms." I make a gesture with my hands, motioning to everything around us.
"They all have attitude, and I know it from personal experience.
" My hands are on my hips when I tilt my head.
"By the fucking way, what the hell were you doing out at two am? "
"Do not change the subject." She points at me. "First of all, Dakota is actually a couple of months older than you. Second of all me and Caleb had a late dinner."
"Dinner?" I giggle. "After midnight?"
"Y'all don't live here anymore. We don't have to do anything on anyone else's time besides our own.
" She inspects her nails. "And Molly? That still doesn't tell me why you were leaving Dakota's house at two am with your hair down, wearing what looked like his shirt, carrying your bag with scrubs in it. "
Son. Of. A. Bitch.
My poker face is the only thing saving me at this moment. "I'm sure it was game night, and I just wanted to get comfortable. He's offered me shirts before, ya know. It's not that big of a deal mom, I promise."
She eyes me in the mirror, and I can almost feel her turning over what I said in her head, trying to figure out if it's the truth or not. "You know you don't have to lie to me, Molly."
"Mom, I'm a grown woman, why would I hide what I do from you? It's not like either of you can ground me."
Her gaze tightens. "While that's true, I definitely think you would hide Dakota."
Why the fuck does she know me as well as she does? "Why would I hide him of all people? Everyone in this family loves Dakota."
"Which is exactly why you'd hide him, Molls.
" The woman who gave me life looks at me with pursed lips.
"You've never done anything halfway, but you've always never purposely done anything that would make your dad and I happy where your love life is concerned.
" She crosses her legs. "In fact, I'd say you've been wholly unconcerned with that part. "
There's a sinking feeling starting in my stomach.
I can't deny it. I've always dated the wrong people.
Maybe it's some sort of rebellion because of the amount of law enforcement I have in my family.
I've always somewhat liked the bad boys, and tried to pick boys and men that I thought would irritate the adults in my life.
What these people don't know about Dakota though?
He's one hundred percent a fucking bad boy.
The way he talks to me, the way he looks at me, the way he touches me?
It's hotter and dirtier than any other man I've been with.
And that's our dirty little secret.
One I love sharing with him.
"Maybe I was back in the day. Maybe I'm just happy being by myself right now?" I shoot her a glare. "I'm an independent woman, who can do anything she wants to."
Mom smiles with pride written across her face. "You are, and I'm thankful for that. I never wanted you not to be able to take care of yourself."
I finish up with the last section of her hair, and then set the curling wand down. "Alright, you're good to go."
"Just in time," she says as the front door opens. "I invited the whole family."
"So you're warning me it's about to get really loud in here?"
I think of my Aunt Kels, her husband, my cousins, and Levi. But then I hear it. Another voice is in the mix. One I wasn't prepared for.
"Oh yeah." Mom grins, and it's sneaky as shit. Enough that I'd like to reach over and pinch her. "I invited Dakota, Lucy, and their parents too. Figured we could all get together."
"Sounds good." I smile back brightly at her. I know exactly why she's done this. She wants to see how Dakota and I act together. Once this woman gets a bit of a hint that she may have sniffed something out, she's like a damn dog and won't let it go. So I refuse to give her any satisfaction.
We're locked in a stare off, and smiling at each other like we're in a weird horror movie. But I refuse to break the stare. Finally, she pulls her gaze away from mine, and I know I've won.
"I'm on to you, Molly."
"Whatever you say, Mom. I'll see you in a few minutes. I have to use the bathroom."
She raises her eyebrows and gives me a look that would probably wilt Levi, but unfortunately for her, I'm used to it. "Alright. We'll be waiting for you."
I watch as she leaves, and then I quickly shut the door, before leaning against it and breathing in a deep breath.
For six months Dakota and I have had this little fling going.
It's been amazing because no one really knows what's going on.
He and I have kept it quiet. We've met each other when we have time, we've fucked like rabbits, and I've met the man I thought I knew already.
Now? It looks like we might have to tell the people in our lives much quicker than we'd thought we would.
Pulling my phone out of my back pocket, I have a seat on the closed-lid of the toilet.
M: Hey, when I get out there, don't be your normal charming self.
D: Why not?
M: Apparently mom saw me leaving your house the other day, early in the damn morning. She's trying to sniff us out, and I'm worried that she'll be able to tell.
D: Would it be so bad if they knew?
Closing my eyes, I sigh heavily. I don't want to have this conversation right now.
M: I'm not ready for it. I'm happy to discuss it with you later, but not right now.
D: Ok.
And now I feel like a piece of shit. This is not how I wanted this day to go after he and I had such a good night and morning.
By the clipped way he answered, he's not up for anymore discussion.
Instead of dwelling on it, I get up, fix my hair, and then flush and wash my hands in case someone was listening outside.
Opening the door, I square my shoulders and walk out of the bedroom.
When I enter the open-concept living room and kitchen, there are so many people that I'm slightly overwhelmed at first. "Hey," I say, giving a wave. "Didn't expect the whole damn family to be here."
None of them stop their conversations, they just wave back at me, and continue on.
That's when I see that Levi and Dakota are sitting next to each other at the table, and one of the only empty seats is the one right beside Dakota.
My mother did this, I know that like I know how to breathe.
She will not rest until she knows for sure what's going on in my personal life.
Walking over to the fridge, I grab out an ice cold can of Coke, tap on the top, and then open it.
The liquid is cool as I tilt the drink and let it cool my hot throat.
When I've had enough, I go back to the table and have a seat.
"Where's Magnolia?" I ask Levi, putting a halt to the conversation with Dakota.
"She's your BFF, figured you'd know."
Those words hurt. Since she started dating my brother, we aren't as close as we used to be.
I've heard other friends talking about losing their person, but I didn't think I would be one of them.
"I haven't talked to her today yet. Woke up late and haven't picked up my phone much.
" I play it off, hoping it doesn't sound as sad as it feels.
"She's delivering a really big order, and then she'll be on her way out here."
Right on cue, I get a vibration on the phone in my back pocket. Pulling it out, I smile when I see that it's Magnolia with a text.
MA: I'm near that coffee spot we like. Want a coconut mocha?
And for some reason this text makes me want to cry. Somehow I hold it together and quickly send her a text back.
MO: Yes please! Iced with a soft top.
MA: Molls, I know how you take your coffee. It's not like I'm going to forget that.
MO: I know, it's just habit. You know I'm picky.
MA: For good reason!
MO: See you when you get here. Thanks again!
MA: No problem.
My chest not feeling as tight as it did before, I put my phone in my back pocket and exhale the breath I didn't know I was holding.