CHAPTER 26 ALFIE
ALFIE
The atmosphere in this house is damn near suffocating. There is no amount of caffeine I can drink that will chill me the hell out.
Since Caden and Elodie arrived home yesterday from lunch with his dad, they’ve not said one word to each other.
Cade told us that it was hell, as expected, but it’s obvious something went down.
He didn’t hurt her, there’s no evidence of him doing anything to her on her body.
But pain is not always physical, as we all very well know.
They argued, that much is clear, because when the fuck do they not?
But this is different. The air between them is thicker than before… and not just with tension. Did they kiss? No, Caden doesn’t kiss. He doesn’t do anything like that.
And El wouldn’t kiss him if her life depended on it.
There’s no point wracking my brains about it. Cade refused to tell me, and El has been a pro at evading my questions. I gave up last night.
I walk back into the house after letting the dogs out and spot Cade moping around the kitchen.
“How you doing?” I say, grabbing the dog food.
“Fine.”
I roll my eyes behind his back and sort the dog bowls out. “What’s on the agenda today?”
“I need you to take Elodie today.” He spins around, fixing me with a pleading look. “I need some space. You can handle her, you can be around her. I can’t do it.”
“I’m going to see Mum today,” I mutter.
Cade’s eyes look red raw. He looks a mess. Hair all over the place, purple bags under his eyes. His aura is stinking up the place with depression.
I press my lips together. “Fine. She can come with me. But only if you promise to get some fucking sleep. You look about ready to collapse.”
He deflates with an exaggerated sigh of relief. “Thank you. I plan to.”
I clap a hand on his shoulder. “You know this isn’t healthy. And suppressing your emotions isn’t healthy either. They’ll only come bursting out of you at the wrong time.”
Cade rolls his eyes. “Thanks, doctor, I’ll be sure to remember that. When I actually feel emotions.”
I chuckle. “You are so full of it, it’s hilarious. But, sure, if denying it keeps you happy, then fine. You have no emotions.” I wink and walk to his room.
I knock and call out to El before walking in. “Good morning.”
She sits up, her head poking just over the mattress. She instantly smiles. The image of her joy in seeing me warms me straight to my rotten core. “Good morning, Alfie.”
I sit down next to her. “We’re going out today.”
“Out?” Her pale face lights up. “Where?”
“Well, don’t get too excited. I’m seeing my mother today, but I thought you could come with me, get you out the house. Unless you’d rather stay here with Fiz and Cade.”
“No, no, no, no, take me with you! You can take me to the dump for all I care. I’d love to come with you.”
I smile at her. “Good, get ready then. We leave in about an hour.”
She leaps to her feet and dashes to the bathroom.
She’s already come so far in the small amount of time she’s been here. Nearly all her bruises are gone now, only the bigger, more brutal ones remain, but they’re yellowing and fading. Her strength’s returning quickly. She’s a fighter. An unapologetic survivor.
I stare at the closed bathroom door and sigh.
There’s something about her that pulls you in, I know that much.
I understand what Caden’s going through.
It’s hard not to be enticed by her. She has a comforting feel about her.
Like you could tell her anything and she’d listen and say all the right things and make you feel better.
Of course, there are things I’ll never, ever tell her, no matter if she stays with us forever but…
it’s nice that she brings that to the house.
That feminine charm, the homemaker edge.
I know she has it in her. I know she could be a wonderful addition to our family, if she lets herself.
If she allows us to knock down those steadfast walls she’s built up, she could be good for us. And we could be good for her.
***
I’m not nervous about bringing Elodie to meet my mother, but I’m not, not nervous.
It’ll be easier than introducing her to a girl I’m dating, that’s for sure, but it still brings a thin layer of sweat across my body as I drive us to my childhood home.
Bruiser’s in the back, I thought it’d be nice for him to run around his old garden for the afternoon.
I hadn’t taken him with me the past couple visits.
Plus, Elodie’s at ease around him now, she’s given him enough treats to become his best friend, so I’m glad that’s one problem fixed.
I haven’t seen Mum in a couple weeks, been too busy with work, but she was already doing much better the last time I saw her. She’s recovering well.
“Is it just your mum we’re going to see, or is your dad there too?” El asks hesitantly.
The question shoots a rod up my back. “Just Mum.”
“Is there a dad?”
I lick my teeth. “No.”
The bluntness in my tone keeps her from asking why.
After a moment, El switches the subject. “So, how come your mum wasn’t at the engagement party? I’m guessing she wasn’t, as I didn’t see any woman go up to you.”
I keep my eyes on the road. “She had a heart attack nearly four weeks ago.”
“I’m so sorry.”
“She’s fine now, she’s a tough cookie, but she’s a little fragile still. She probably wouldn’t have come anyway.”
“What d’you mean?”
I pull into the driveway. “She’s not exactly a fan of how her family earns its money.”
“Oh.”
I put the car in park and drop my hands into my lap. “It’s fine. She does her own thing. She’s a strong woman.”
She reaches over and puts her hand on my leg, it steals the breath from my lungs. “If you’re anything like her, then she definitely is.”
I smile at the statement, take her small hand into mine and give it a squeeze. “Come on. It’s nearly lunch, I’m starving.”
She gives me a sympathetic smile, then we climb out the car.
The house always looks smaller when I come here. It was huge to me as a kid. It’s still bigger than most homes, but now it seems too small even for Mum to live in.
I lead El through the front door, past the foyer and dining room.
“Mum?” I call out when I don’t spot her, nor hear anything.
Bruiser darts off into the garden, so we follow.
I gasp as I see mum kneeling over one of her flower beds. “Mum! What are you doing?!”
Mum whips her head around and her shoulders sag. “God, Alf, don’t scare me like that!”
She wipes her damp brow with the back of a gloved hand. I dash over to her. “You shouldn’t be fucking gardening right now!”
She bats my arm as I help her to her feet. “Language! I was only doing a little bit, I couldn’t bear seeing those fucking weeds any longer.”
“I would have done it! You are impossible, woman.”
She waves me off and then puts her arms around me. “I’m so glad to see you, pumpkin.”
I bring my arms around her. She feels thinner. “Good to see you too, Mum.”
“Who is your guest?” she says over my shoulder. I release her, turning back to Elodie, who’s standing at the patio doors, hugging her arm, looking adorably awkward. Mum scans her. “Are they Caden’s clothes?”
I beam at her. “This is the newest member of the family, Mum.” I lead her towards El. “This is Caden’s fiancé, Elodie.”
“This is the girl?” She points at El, turning to me. I nod. “Wow.” She turns back to Elodie. “You are simply gorgeous!”
El’s cheeks instantly flush and she lowers her head bashfully. “Thank you, I’m pleased to meet you, ma’am.”
She walks off from me, opening her arms. “Please, call me Debbie, or Deb.” She pulls her into a bear hug and El tentatively hugs her back, smiling at me over Mum’s shoulder.
Mum pulls away and holds her at arm’s length. “How come you’re in his clothes, though?”
El’s cheeks flush ever brighter.
I answer for her. “That’s a long story.”
Mum looks like she immediately understands. “That boy takes after my brother too much.” She huffs, then plasters a smile back on. “I hope you’re hungry, lunch should be ready soon.”
I frown, approaching the two ladies. “You’re cooking?”
Mum nods. “Yes, I’ve been cooking for a couple days now.”
Pride swells within me and I put an arm around her shoulders. “There’s no bringing you down, is there?”
She beams up at me. “Come. We have so much to talk about!”