Chapter Eight
It’s Thursday evening, and I don’t think I’ve ever been more exhausted in my life.
I had a mother who labored for far longer than I would have liked with a dick of a partner for my entire shift.
Thankfully she had the baby fifteen minutes before I got off.
Not only did I have them, but I also had a hypochondriac mother who was afraid of every little thing.
The only thing that kept her calm was her mother and boyfriend.
Otherwise I’m sure things with her would have gone sideways.
All in all, I helped bring six babies into the world this week while my daughter at home was playing a game of hot and cold.
All week Farrah has been up and down. Sometimes as sweet as pie, then the next minute calling me a selfish bitch when I didn’t do whatever it is she wanted.
It’s been exhausting, and as much as I hate to say it, and I know it makes me sound horrible, I’m looking forward to her going to her dad’s for the week. I don’t ever want to be away from her, but at the same time, I need a break.
“Hey,” she says as she walks into my bedroom.
If I didn’t know better, I would think her ears were burning.
“Hi,” I say as I keep folding laundry.
“What are you doing?” she asks as she sits on my bed.
I look at the T-shirt in my hands before looking back at her, my eyebrow raised.
She rolls her eyes. “You know what I meant.”
“I’m just trying to get things done.”
“What’s your boyfriend up to?” she asks, catching me off guard.
“I’m not sure. I haven’t checked my phone in a while. Why?”
She shrugs. “I was just thinking maybe he could come over and watch a movie with us, but if he’s busy with his friends…”
My heart stutters.
“Did you just ask if he wanted to hang out with us?” I ask, not bothering to hide my shock.
“Don’t make a big deal out of it. Are you going to ask or what?”
I drop the shirt and walk over to my nightstand, where my phone is charging.
Me: Hey, late notice, but would you want to come over tonight and watch a movie with Farrah and me?
He responds instantly.
Loyal: I would love to. Give me a little bit and I’ll be over. Do you two want me to pick up anything? Order dinner?
“Do you want anything before he comes over?”
She makes a noise in the back of her throat. “How’s he going to carry shit on his bike?”
“He has saddlebags,” I point out, trying to not let her attitude get to me.
Hot and cold.
“I want Chinese food, but from a delivery guy.”
I take a deep breath and nod.
Me: I’m going to order Chinese. What would you like?
Loyal: Tell me what you guys want and I’ll set it up.
After figuring out what we want for food, I set down my phone.
“He will be here shortly.”
“Cool. I’m going to go text my friends until he gets here.”
“Sounds good.” I smile as she walks out of my room.
While I wait for him to show up, I fold the rest of the clothes, my mind racing. They’ve seen each other in passing all week since the disaster of a dinner, and every time Loyal has been nothing but polite and calm when she throws him attitude.
Would it be asking too much for tonight to go better?
When I finally finish folding and putting the laundry away, the doorbell rings.
Farrah and I step out of our rooms at the same time and head downstairs.
I frown when I see Farrah in her sleep shorts and a tank with no bra, but it’s how we always watch movies together. Part of me wants to tell her to go change, but I also don’t want to cause a scene with Loyal at the door.
So I ignore it and head toward the front of the house.
“Hey,” I say as I open the door.
“Hey, Mami, looking good,” Loyal says as he kisses my cheek.
“I thought I said I wanted delivery,” Farrah mutters.
“You did. The guy pulled up to the house right when I was getting off my bike. I just grabbed it from him,” Loyal says without missing a beat.
Farrah nods but looks unconvinced.
Loyal comes inside, and I lock the door behind him.
“Eat in the living room?” I ask.
“Sounds good. I’ll grab plates,” Farrah says, already heading into the kitchen.
“How are things today between you two?” Loyal asks quietly.
“To be determined,” I mutter, making him smirk.
“So Loyal, what do you like for movies?” Farrah asks when she comes back.
“I like a little bit of everything. As long as it has a good plot, I’m game.” He shrugs as we start dishing food onto our plates.
“Rom-coms?” she asks.
“Sweet Home Alabama is better than The Notebook,” he declares.
“Wait, you’ve watched both of those?” I ask, in surprise.
“Yeah.” He nods as he takes a bite.
“Wait, why is that one better than The Notebook? It’s a classic,” Farrah asks.
“Don’t get me wrong, The Notebook is great, but it’s depressing as fuck. I rather not watch something where the woman doesn’t remember her life. Then for them to die side by side at the end? No thanks,” he says, shaking his head.
“I think it’s sweet.”
“Yeah, in a morbid way,” he says.
“You’re not wrong.” Farrah laughs.
Actually laughs.
For a split second, it makes Loyal freeze, and I watch as a little bit of hope flashes across his face.
The three of us talk back and forth while we eat, not bothering to turn on the TV. Just debating movies and TV shows. It’s nice and honestly the most real conversation I’ve had with my daughter in months.
“The TV version is horrible compared to the book,” Farrah says.
“I’ll take your word for it,” he tells her.
“Mom, do you know what sounds good?” Farrah asks, changing the subject.
“I’m sure you’re going to tell me,” I quip, making her roll her eyes and Loyal chuckle.
“My favorite ice cream,” she says with a smile.
“What’s your favorite ice cream?” Loyal asks.
“It’s like an ice cream sundae that Mom makes. It’s chocolate ice cream with brownie bites, crushed-up Oreos, and gummy bears or worms.”
Loyal winces. “That sounds like a diabetic coma.”
“But a delicious one.” Farrah looks over at me. “Will you make it?”
With the way she’s behaving so far, how can I say no?
“You got it. Do you want some, Loyal?” I ask, lightly touching his arm as I stand.
He looks up at me and smiles. “Why not.”
“Three sundaes coming up.”
As soon as Sami steps out of sight, Farrah’s face changes, and I brace for impact. She turns toward me while thrusting her chest out toward me. I have to bite the inside of my cheek to stop myself from laughing.
Out of all the moves I thought she would pull, this wasn’t one of them. Then again, teenage girls aren’t that bright. They think they are older than they are, but at the end of the day, they aren’t.
“So…” she purrs, making my skin crawl. “I was thinking…do you have any friends?”
I raise a brow. “Why?”
She shrugs her shoulder, making the strap of her tank slip just a little, but I don’t glance.
“I was thinking maybe you could hook me up…unless you rather keep me to yourself.”
I laugh softly under my breath. “Are you serious right now? You need to stop now before you not only embarrass yourself but also hurt your mom.”
For a split second, it looks like I get through to her, but she doesn’t let up.
She leans toward me and tries to touch me, but I move out of her space. “Come on, Loyal, you know you want me. Let’s be honest, I’m more your type than my mom is. You’re just playing the long game until I turn eighteen, but it’s okay. No one has to know.”
“Let me make myself clear, Farrah, I’m not interested in you. Never have been, never will be. The only woman I want in my bed is your mother. Understood?”
Anger flashes through her eyes. “You don’t mean it.”
“I do.”
“I don’t believe you, and you know who else won’t?” She nods toward the kitchen.
“That’s where you’re wrong.” I turn and start walking to the kitchen.
“Loyal, get back here. I didn’t mean it,” she whisper-shouts, but I ignore her.
Sami looks over and smiles when I enter the kitchen, completely unaware.
“Hey, everything okay?” she asks.
“No, Mami. It’s not.”
Her smile drops. “What happened?”
I give her the lowdown on what just occurred and watch as disbelief and then disappointment cross her face.
“I’m sorry,” I murmur to her.
“It’s not your fault.”
“Mom, whatever he’s saying is a lie,” Farrah says as she steps into the kitchen.
“Really? Because you wore a skimpy tank with no bra and booty shorts to movie night with my boyfriend. You orchestrated a way to get me out of the room. You have been nothing but mean to me about him all week. I really had hoped that you were coming around, but this was another scheme,” Sami points out.
“Mom, it’s not true.” She looks down at her feet, like she is embarrassed.
“Farrah, why? Why would you do this to me?” Sami asks, not bothering to hide the hurt in her voice.
Instinctively I reach out and rest my hand on her hip, offering her the support I know she desperately needs without overstepping.
“I wouldn’t do whatever he said to you, Mom. You know that.” Farrah actually looks guilty.
Sami raises a brow. “So you didn’t ask him if he had a friend he could set you up with and in the same breath ask if he wants you for himself? You didn’t accuse him of only being with me in hopes of getting with you?”
Farrah groans and stomps her foot as she runs her hand through her hair. “Why else would he be with you if not for me? He’s closer in age to me than he is to you. It only makes sense!”
Sami recoils into my side.
“Farrah…” she says full of hurt.
“I told you already but I’m going to say it in front of your mother: you aren’t my type, Farrah. I’ve never been into women my age or younger. If you need proof, I can make a couple calls,” I tell her.
“This is bullshit! You two shouldn’t even be together! All I’m trying to do is prove that this isn’t real and that you belong with Dad. Don’t you get that?” Farrah shouts.
My jaw clenches.
Fucking Billy.
It all circles back to him.
“Did he put you up to this?” I ask quietly, catching both women off guard.
“Wait, what? No…please tell me he didn’t, Farrah,” Sami pleads.
For a split second something that looks a whole lot like guilt crosses her face before her eyes narrow.
“No, my dad would never put me up to something. Unlike you, he’s a good man. The only one in the wrong here is my mom for bringing you into our lives.”
“Your mother isn’t bad, and you know it,” I tell her.
“Farrah, what has gotten into you? It’s like I don’t even know you anymore,” Sami whispers.
“Fuck you too, Mom. The only one who’s changed here is you,” Farrah tosses back.
“Go to your room,” Sami says, finally losing her cool.
“With fucking pleasure.” Farrah looks over at me. “When you wake up and admit that you want me, you know where to find me, but heads-up, it might be too late.”
“Don’t hold your breath,” I tell her.
Farrah turns and stomps down the hall, slamming her door when she reaches her room.
“I’m sorry…” Sami murmurs.
I pull her into my arms and hold her tight, kissing the top of her head. “You have nothing to be sorry for, Mami. Nothing.”
“I don’t know what to do anymore. I was so hopeful earlier tonight, and then…”
Then her daughter had to go and ruin it.
“I’m sorry.”
She takes a stuttering breath. “Were you serious? Do you think someone put her up to this? Has she ever hinted at wanting you before or anything?”
Before she can finish questioning me, I’m already shaking my head. “No, never. Before now she’s never looked my way once. Do I think there’s a possibility that someone planted this seed in her head? Yeah, but I don’t have any proof.”
Sami groans and drops her head back to my chest. “I’ve thought some things she has said sounded like Billy too. Before now. Why can’t I just be happy and have something good in my life? Just this once…”
“You can and will, baby. I’ll make sure of it. We just have to survive the storm first, but believe me when I say it will pass.”
“I hope you’re right,” she mutters.
You and me both, I think to myself.
I don’t know what Farrah or Billy have planned for us next, but I’ll be waiting. Because one thing is for sure, they aren’t stopping. Not yet, at least.