She holds onto Kyler’s arm and walks with him while my father nudges me with his elbow. “Your mother means well. She just wants to see you happy.”
“I would be if she’d stop meddling.”
“That’s not your mother.”
Exactly. He heads into the kitchen, and I walk over to the hallway and stop just outside of Logan’s bedroom door. After I had him, my parents converted their guest bedroom to one specifically for him. He’s their one and only grandchild. I’ve always wanted more kids, but it never worked out. It was kind of hard to have a baby with a man who was never around.
I tap a finger to the door. “Dinner time, babe.”
“Coming.” He opens the door, holding one of his footballs. “Do you think Kyler can show me some of his moves? I was talking to my friends, and they said he’s like a legend here in town.”
And the night just keeps getting better. “Not tonight, sweetheart. His knee is still messed up.”
He pouts his lip and tosses his football onto the bed. “Okay.”
It hurts my heart that Logan hasn’t had a male figure around other than my father. Ethan calls and FaceTimes him every chance he gets, but it’s not the same. Logan marches into the kitchen first, but I hang back to calm myself down. I don’t want to be a bitch, but it’s hard. Maybe if I drink enough wine, it’ll help. Taking a deep breath, I walk into the kitchen, and of course, my mother has Kyler sitting next to me. Our plates are full of meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and green beans. Luckily, there’s a large glass of white wine calling my name. I take my seat and reach for my drink, gulping down as much as I can. It’s an expensive Napa Chardonnay with its buttery goodness and hints of tropical fruit and vanilla. I’m impressed. My mother’s mouth gapes, and my father tries his best not to laugh. I don’t even look over at Kyler.
“Kyler brought the wine. I think it’s a Chardonnay. You’re favorite.”
“Thanks, Kyler,” I say, determined not to look at him. “We ready to eat?”
My dad recites a little prayer, and we all say our amens. Once I finish my wine, I pour another glass since the bottle is right in front of me. By the time I get to my meatloaf, I’m tipsy. Guess that’s what I get with drinking on an empty stomach. Kyler talks to my parents for a few minutes about their investments, but then he spends the rest of the time talking to Logan about football. Keeping my focus on my food, I pray I don’t spill ketchup covered meatloaf all over my shirt. Kyler enamors my parents, and I don’t see why. Don’t get me wrong, he’s good looking, always has been, even in high school, but that’s about it.
Once dinner is finished, I breathe a sigh of relief. Soon, Kyler will be on his way, and Logan and I can go home and watch more of our favorite show. Logan takes my plate and places it in the sink like he always does every night. He always helps me with the dishes when we’re at home, but my father suggests that they go outside and toss the football around. My mother opens the dishwasher, but Kyler steps up next to her.
“Why don’t you let Maeve and I handle the dishes tonight?”
Eyes wide, I glare at my mother, but she just smiles and backs away. “That would be great.” She is not going to hear the end of this once we’re alone.
“All right,” she agrees. “I’ll leave you both to it.”
When she leaves the room, I groan under my breath. This night just gets better. I turn on the hot water to rinse off the dirty dishes before putting them in the dishwasher. Kyler stands by the dishwasher and rolls up his sleeves. “If you rinse, I’ll load.’
“Whatever you say.” I rinse off one plate and hand it to him quickly, sloshing water all over his jeans. He looks down at his wet crotch, but I keep the dishes coming, trying my best not to laugh, which is hard considering I’m tipsy.
“It looks like I pissed myself,” he says, chuckling as he loads the dishwasher.
I rinse off more plates, trying my best to keep soaking him. “You should learn to control your bladder better.”
He laughs again. “Why are you so salty towards me? Do you really hate me that much from high school?”
I was right. He did hear me in the living room. “You were an ass.” I pick up my pace with the dishes. As soon as we get them done, the sooner he can leave.
“Yeah, I was,” Kyler admits, “but that was a long time ago. I’m not that same guy anymore.”
I snort. “Okay.” I hand him the last dish and wash my hands. “We’re done. I think it’s time I go home.”