Chapter 22 #2
Maybe we should have a shower. Get things we need for the apartment.
Her breath froze for a second. Did he realize what he’d said? You want us to get married to have a bridal shower?
His expression grew frightened in a comical way. No, just a shower to get better stuff. Don’t they have ones like that?
She laughed. No, sorry. To get a shower, you either have to get married or have a baby.
The corner of his lip turned down. Darn.
Why are you here?
They need my truck to move all this stuff to their place. I guess I come in handy for something, huh?
In her opinion, he came in handy for many things. That’s very generous.
He took a step closer and stroked her arm, then glanced quickly around to see if anyone was looking. Most people seemed to be occupied with other things. Do I get rewarded for being generous?
She shrugged. You’re not being generous to me. You’d have to ask Carli or Blake for a reward.
He gave a quick shake of his head. That’s not the kind of reward I was hoping for.
She pulled him behind the table piled high with gifts and pretended to show him what was there. What kind of reward were you looking for?
This. He held up a box, so it hid them partially from view, then he leaned in and kissed her. It wasn’t long or passionate, but it thrilled her that he did it here in the open. Kind of in the open.
Licking her lips, she savored the brief touch of his lips to hers. I suppose I can reward you later, once we get back to our apartment. Would that be adequate?
The mischievous look in his eyes was more than answer enough.
The house was bustling like always. Evan truly enjoyed coming to his parents’ house for Sunday dinner at least once a month.
With the bridal shower yesterday, his mother had wanted to get rid of the leftover food, and she’d entrusted that job to her husband and children.
Mercedes had been included in the group invitation.
You got so many wonderful gifts yesterday, his mother said as they sat at the large dining table after filling their plates at the counter. “Oh, sorry Blake. I need to remember to use my voice when you’re here.”
“No worries,” he replied. “I understood what you said. One of these days, I’ll be able to slip right into a Deaf crowd and eavesdrop.”
“Like Mercedes,” Evan said. “She has people at Deaf Night Out thinking she’s Deaf. How long did you two live together before Mercedes was fluent?”
Mercedes and Carli looked at each other and shrugged. “Probably a few years,” Mercedes said.
Carli shook her head. “No, it was less than that. You’d been practicing since we were kids.”
“I don’t know that I’d call it fluent. You definitely taught me more once we started rooming together.”
The fact Mercedes could speak his language was one of the things he loved about her. Add in her intelligence, that she didn’t lord over anyone, and her grace and beauty, how could any warm-blooded male resist? He certainly couldn’t.
Something about his thoughts nagged at him, but the rest of the family began listing all the presents the happy couple received yesterday and discussion began on the practicality of some of them.
“I’m not sure how often I’ll be using a fondue pot or a waffle cone maker. Although that last one goes with the ice cream maker. Guess we’ll have to start having fondue and ice cream parties.” Carli’s cheeks colored, and Blake grimaced.
“Sorry. Those came from some of my mother’s friends. They all have similar ridiculous appliances. Not that they use any of them, but I’m sure their kitchen staff do.”
Carli rolled her eyes. “Maybe they should have gotten us kitchen staff instead.”
Blake’s eyes turned anxious. “Do you want me to hire—”
Carli grabbed Blake’s hand before he could finish his sentence. “No, I don’t need people in my kitchen. It’s the thought that counts.”
Blake leaned in to kiss Carli and Evan felt—what was this? Envy? At what? Could he be envious of the relationship his sister had? What had happened to his carefree life of being single? Now all he wanted was to hang out every night with his roommate.
When the food was gone and they’d wolfed down many of the desserts that Blake’s mother had provided, Dad signaled to the men. “We’ll clean up the table. The rest of you go relax in the living room.”
Mercedes asked Evan, “Is this where you get it from?”
“Are you implying Evan cleans up after meals?” his mom asked.
Mercedes nodded and patted his hand. “He does it almost every night. Sends me to the living room, and he does the dishes and wipes down the table.”
Evan raised his eyes to the ceiling. “Only because you always cook. It’s only fair.”
His mom smiled widely his way. “I like hearing you’ve got good manners. Guess I raised you right.”
“You did,” Mercedes confirmed. “I have no complaints.”
“So far,” Carli added, a smug grin on her face. Evan sent a glare at his sister, but she only kept smiling impishly.
“Are you sure you want to go through with this, Blake?” Evan asked. “She’s a little sarcastic at times.”
The way Blake stared at his sister didn’t give anyone the impression he was unhappy. “I like her that way. Makes life a little more fun.”
Evan had to admit it was one of the reasons he and Mercedes enjoyed each other’s company. The teasing and fun.
His dad, Brian, Blake, and Evan all carried the dishes to the kitchen and each took jobs: putting the leftover food in plasticware, scraping the food from the dishes and getting rid of any trash, rinsing the dishes, placing them in the dishwasher.
When the kitchen was cleaned, the guys moved to the living room, but Evan grabbed some paper towels and cleaner and made sure they’d gotten everything off the counters and table. Mercedes was a stickler about keeping those clean due to possible ants.
A soft thud behind him when he was throwing away the last paper towel had him twisting around. Carli stood there, an inscrutable expression on her face.
What’s up?
I wanted to ask you something. Her expression didn’t give him any indication what she wanted to talk about.
You’re not voicing, so I assume it’s something you don’t want Blake, Mercedes, or Brian to hear.
Carli peeked behind her, then back. I guess. I’m curious about something I witnessed at the bridal shower yesterday.
Witnessed? He raised an eyebrow. As in a crime?
She rolled her eyes. Dramatic as always, Evan. No, I happened to notice you and Mercedes and the little kiss you laid on her behind the gift table.
That’s an observation not a question. You said you had a question. He was hoping to give himself a little time to figure out what to say.
Why are you and Mercedes kissing? Was that the first one, or have there been more?
Lots more, but how much did he tell his sister? It wasn’t the first one.
Carli’s eyes narrowed. How long has this been going on?
By this, do you mean the kissing? A few weeks, if you don’t count the accidental one the day before her parents’ anniversary party.
How do you have an accidental kiss?
He was getting interrogated here. After I helped the boys at the construction site, she got excited and went to kiss my cheek. I didn’t realize and turned my head at the last second. Her lips landed on mine. And he’d spent the next few weeks dwelling on that kiss.
I don’t want you to hurt her.
Heat speared through him at the accusation. Why would you think I’d ever hurt her? She’s been a good friend for a very long time.
Do you deny that you never see a girl longer than a few dates?
He shrugged. No, but Mercedes is not the kind of girl you sleep with, then dump.
Definitely not if you’re still living together. She planted her hands on her hips.
He glared at her. Yeah, it’d be a spectacular mess. I respect Mercedes too much to treat her like a bad decision, and we’re nowhere near crossing any lines. Also—pretty sure this isn’t any of your business.
Carli’s eyes seared him. She’s my best friend and was my roommate for years. I’m making it my business. I’m glad you’re moving slow.
Evan peered toward the living room to see if anyone was nearby. It was clear. I’ve had a crush on Mercedes since we were little. I mean, come on, she’s gorgeous and a beautiful person inside and out. Who wouldn’t?
Carli nodded. True. I thought you’d gotten over your little crush.
You knew about it? Evan swallowed before he signed the next thought. Never mind. It doesn’t matter, because I’m not good enough for her.
Freezing, Carli said, Did she tell you that?
She’d never say something mean, but she’s a college librarian, for Pete’s sake. I read at a second-grade level.
Anger crossed his sister’s face. You communicate very effectively in ASL.
He shrugged, not really having an answer to that.
Stepping closer, she patted his shoulder. Just because you struggle with English, it doesn’t mean you can’t communicate. I seriously doubt Mercedes has ever thought that. She’s never said anything even remotely like that to me.
How much should he tell his sister? With a sigh, he said, No, she says I have something called Concentration Fatigue. He went on to explain what it was, or at least what he could recall of the information Mercedes had brought home.
She said being the only Deaf person in a public school of all hearing students and teachers made it extra difficult.
Carli grew thoughtful. That makes sense. I struggle with those same symptoms myself at work, especially when Joy decides to play lip gymnastics with her words.
He was taken aback at this. But you have CIs.
And they help a lot, but I’m still Deaf.
I still have to read lips and look at facial expressions and body language.
When I’m with Blake and a bunch of doctors, and they’re all discussing medical terms, I get exhausted.
Often, if the acoustics are poor, sounds get all wacky and it gives me a huge headache.
It’s one of the reasons I don’t wear them at home or when I come here. Everyone signs, so I don’t need them.
He knew where she was coming from.
That’s how I felt every day in school. I wish I had gone to the North Shore School. Maybe I would have learned more.
Carli moved in and wrapped him in a hug. He returned the embrace.
If you’re with Mercedes, just make sure to be good to her. If you’re not serious, then …
I want to be good enough.
You are. If you ever need any help from me with reading or writing, you only have to ask.
Evan grinned. No need. Mercedes is always available, and her English is even better than yours.
Carli glared at him humorously. Glad you have someone at your beck and call. She gave him another hug and sauntered into the living room.
He followed slightly behind but paused in the doorway. Mercedes sat chatting with the rest of the family, her signing perfect.
Suddenly, the things that had niggled in his brain earlier came flooding back. The fact she could speak his language was one of the things he loved about her. One of the things. There were many. He’d always loved her in a family and friend way. When had it started to be a little more?