Chapter Ten
A s Evan opened the bathroom door, he stopped and peered back to where he’d dropped the towel after his shower.
Even though he’d said he should start being his old messy self, he really didn’t want to do that to Mercedes.
Yes, she was a distraction, and he had a huge crush on her, and she’d never want him permanently, but she’d definitely leaned into him a few days ago when he’d attempted to kiss her.
Until his sister had interrupted. He wasn’t sure whether to be angry or happy that she had.
Tonight, Mercedes was having some friends from work over to celebrate the beginning of a new school year. She’d asked him to stay and meet them, but he wasn’t sure if he wanted to. Her soft pout had forced him to say he’d stick around for a while. Putty in her hands. If only she knew.
After cleaning up the bathroom and hanging up his towel, he peeked into the kitchen. Mercedes flittered around like a manic bird. That’s how she got when she was anxious.
He moved up behind her and tapped her shoulder. She twisted around, her eyes wide. Can I help you with something? What’s got you all flustered?
Her gaze drifted to his bare chest, still damp from his shower, then she raised her eyes to his face.
Her shoulders rose and fell in a deep sigh.
“I’m trying to get everything ready for tonight.
They’re coming around six thirty, and it’s already six.
” He could tell she voiced when she signed, and he wondered what she’d do tonight.
Obviously, voice for the hearing people, but would he have to sit around attempting to read everyone’s lips?
He’d rather sit alone in his room than deal with that.
“What can I do to help?” He voiced also, practicing for tonight.
She examined the room, then him. “Go put some clothes on. Please.”
She turned away before he could reply, but he thought he’d caught her mumble something about Tasha. That was the coworker who’d thought he was cute. Also the one who wanted to move in here if he ever left. Note to self: Don’t mention moving out in front of her.
After adding a clean polo shirt and decent socks and sneakers, he checked himself out in the mirror.
The pale blue shirt matched his eyes and had been a present from his sister, Deanna.
He didn’t think he’d worn it more than twice.
Hopefully, it was good enough for these friends of Mercedes.
They all worked at the college, so they were probably as brainy as she was.
Exactly what he needed after a long, hot day digging up the highway system.
Once he’d run a comb through his hair, he did a quick tidy of his room. Even though no one should come in here, you never knew when someone would get lost on the way to the bathroom. Or pretend to be lost because they were nosy.
His roommate stood in the middle of the living room, looking around lost. He slung his arm over her shoulder and squeezed. He wanted to do a whole lot more, but her guests would be here any minute.
“It’s all good. You’re the perfect hostess. You don’t need to worry.”
She faced him, her expression still tense. “Some of these people live in much nicer neighborhoods and houses than me. I simply want the place to look good.”
“So they’re snobs? Why invite them over then?”
“We all work together. If I invite some without the others, it gets awkward.” Her head swiveled toward the door. Someone must be here. She started to walk away, then stopped and said, “Remember, Tasha thinks we’re a couple.”
He pulled her in for a hug, then gave her the thumbs up sign.
While she answered the door, he retreated to the kitchen and snagged a few chips.
She had a nice spread on the table, so he wasn’t sure what she was worried about.
It wasn’t caviar and champagne, but it looked good.
Several long subs were cut into smaller portions, along with condiments and a pickle tray.
There was a crock pot of meatballs with small buns in a basket nearby.
He was definitely grabbing some of those.
Her meatballs were excellent. It looked like she had wings in the oven, and they smelled delicious.
As he peeked in, he also saw stuffed mushroom caps in there.
Two women and a man entered the living room.
The women wore casual dressy clothes and dangling jewelry.
The guy looked like he’d jumped out of a fashion magazine for the yacht club.
White boat shoes peeked out from underneath white dress slacks.
His suit coat didn’t have a collar, and the double-breasted buttons were huge and shiny.
Good thing Evan hadn’t worn the black t-shirt he’d originally thought of.
Even his polo wasn’t a match for sailing boy.
“Evan,” Mercedes waved at him to come over and meet her friends. He really didn’t want to, but he pasted on his best smile and marched toward doom.
“This is my roommate, Evan. He’s Carli’s brother. We’ve known each other forever. Evan, this is Saundra, Ayanna, and Wardell.” She fingerspelled the names, and he had to squint at a few.
He thrust out his hand and shook the guy’s hand. “Nice to meet you.” Please, let his voice be somewhat understandable tonight.
The guy, Wardell, looked taken aback, then nodded his head and pointed to his ear. “You’re the deaf one.” His lips exaggerated the words, but Evan got the meaning. Hopefully, this doofus wouldn’t try and speak to him like this all night.
Mercedes winced but covered it with some signing. “Yes, Evan is Deaf. So are many in his family. His sister was my roommate before he was. She’s getting married shortly and moved in with her fiancé.”
One of the ladies—Ayanna maybe—asked about the wedding.
Evan wasn’t sure if she was asking him or Mercedes, so he let her answer the questions.
As a bridesmaid, she knew more of the details than he did anyway.
The last thing he wanted to do was try and talk about something with a hearing person who didn’t understand him.
And who he, most likely, couldn’t understand.
Lip reading wasn’t the magic bullet everyone thought it was.
The light in the kitchen flicked on and off. It was the oven timer. They’d adapted it when Carli had lived here to let her know when it went off. Mercedes’ eyes grew wide again. I’ve got to get those. Talk to them, please.
He glared and shook his head. I’ll get the food. You talk to them. You’re the hostess.
It was like she hadn’t even thought of that possibility. This wasn’t like her, and he hated that these people got her worked up this way.
By the time he’d taken the wings and mushrooms from the oven and placed them on the large platters on the counter, more of her workmates had arrived. If it was possible, he’d stay here in the kitchen the entire night, until every last one of them had gone home to their snotty little houses.
Soon, he’d been introduced to Tasha, Gracie, Huntley, Reuben, and Vikram. He’d never remember any of their names. Whatever happened to good ol’ Steve and Bob? Or Sue and Jane? Of course, Mercedes fit right in. Maybe that was the link. They all had weird, uncommon names and had bonded because of it.
I hope you don’t expect me to remember all these.
She gave him an encouraging smile and signed, No.
She’d invited ten people plus them, so their little apartment was full. Some of them milled about the kitchen near the food, where he’d like to be, and the rest sat in the living room. They’d brought out their desk chairs from both bedrooms as extra.
The only man wearing jeans, though they were most definitely designer label, plopped on the couch opposite Evan, who sat in one of the chairs. He thought his name was Reuben. Like the sandwich. One that Evan got on occasion when he was in the mood for corned beef.
Reuben started talking, and Evan focused on his mouth, attempting to read his lips. It wasn’t as easy as everyone thought. Something about a job. He peered around for Mercedes who signed, “He’s asking what you do for work.”
“I work for a road construction company. I use skid steers, wheel loaders, and compactors. Occasionally, I drive the dump truck if we need to get rid of lots of debris.” Could the man understand him?
Reuben’s face stiffened. “You can drive? I thought you couldn’t hear.”
Mercedes, who had strolled over and interpreted the conversation, closed her eyes for a second at the man’s ignorant comment. Nothing Evan hadn’t heard before.
“I’m Deaf not blind. We’re capable of driving.”
“But heavy machinery? Isn’t that dangerous if you can’t hear?”
Evan took a deep breath in, then let it out slowly. “Actually, it’s easier for me. I don’t get distracted by all the construction noise, and I don’t have to wear ear protection.”
Reuben narrowed his eyes and nodded. Tasha, the worker Mercedes didn’t like, sauntered over and cocked her hip, a flirty look on her face.
“All that hard labor. I bet that’s where you get your muscles from.
I saw the pictures Mercedes had of the two of you in Boston a few weeks ago. I have to say, you don’t look deaf.”
Sadly, that wasn’t the first time someone had said that to him, and some people actually thought it was a compliment. Well, you don’t look stupid, but looks can be deceiving. He gave a low chuckle when Mercedes interpreted that sentence as He gets that a lot.
Over the next hour, Mercedes tried her best to interpret everything everyone said, but there were too many conversations going on at once.
Many of the guests were talking over each other, like what they had to say was more important than anything else.
It didn’t help that much of the conversation was too high brow for him or about college level education.
He’d barely finished high school. Not that he’d share that fact with any of these charming people.