“No biggie. Your mom is awesome. It was nice to catch up. I’m glad the MRI results came through, and that it’s not as bad as they’d initially assumed.”
“I still want to talk with the doctor, though. I’m afraid she’s downplaying it so that I don’t worry.”
Charlie stops digging in the utensil drawer and turns to me. “Do you really think she’d do that?”
“You know my mom as well as I do. She’s always looking out for those around her and doesn’t spend enough time taking care of herself.”
Nodding, Charlie agrees, “Good point. Definitely let me know what the doctor says, okay? She’s as much my mama as she is yours.”
“I know. And I’m pretty sure she loves you more than me.”
With a light laugh, Charlie smacks me in the arm. “Silly, Levi. Everyone loves me more than you.”
The innocent ribbing is enough to ease the ache in my chest that tightens anytime I talk about my mom, and I grab onto it with both hands.
“Yeah, they do. Remind me to bring that up later.”
Her brows furrow. “Huh?”
“I’ll tell ya later tonight. We’re still good for a movie, right? I need some time to unwind.”
“Roommate woes and you’re looking for a place to hide out?” she teases, hitting the nail on the head before she hands me a giant spoon and fork to dish up our dinner. Taking them, I divide the alfredo and salad into even portions and set them on the plates Charlie had set on the counter.
“No roommate woes. I just miss you, and I know you’d just refuse to come over if I offered.”
“Good point,” Charlie acknowledges. “And I’ve missed you too.”
We saw each other yesterday, but as soon as the words I’ve missed you too slip past her lips, I can’t help but imagine what they would taste like. With a shake of my head, I dismiss the thought immediately then set the serving utensils into the sink. I reach for two plates, and Charlie grabs the third along with a glass filled with tap water for my mom. She insists on doing her part for the environment by not buying bottled water because she’s thoughtful as shit.
“Thanks, Charlie,” Mom says as she takes the plate and glass of water from her.
“You’re welcome.”
Side by side, Charlie and I sit on the couch then dig into our meals while the muted television causes lights and shadows to dance along the walls. As I stab a piece of lettuce onto my fork, a soft moan makes my ears perk up. In search of its source, I turn to Charlie and watch her puckered lips slurp up a noodle like in the movie The Lady and The Tramp. Her eyes are glued to her plate as she twirls another piece of pasta around her fork, but the same soft moan slips out of her for a second time.
How have I never noticed how plump her lips are? Or how sexy her little moans are? Has she always done that? I feel like I would’ve noticed before.
I blame Conner for his comment earlier about her ass. I’m usually able to keep my attraction in check, but lately, it’s felt like an uphill battle. Clearing my throat, I reach for the remote control on the wooden side table tucked between the couch I’m sitting on and Mom’s chair.
My finger searches for the unmute button, and I breathe a sigh of relief as soon as Jack MacCoy’s voice from Law and Order floods the room. When it changes to the credits a few minutes later, my mom shows me the palm of her hand, silen
tly requesting the remote. As soon as she gets it, she turns the volume back down.
“So, how did your morning meeting go?” she asks.
“Fine,” I return before changing the subject to something a hell of a lot more important than my day job. “How have you been feeling?”
“Fine,” she responds just as cooly.
“Mom.” I stare at her point-blank to let her know I’m serious.
With a huff, she sets her plate on the side table before giving me a few more details I’m desperate to hear. “They don’t think the tumor is cancerous, but they won’t know for sure until they remove it. However, it’s bigger than expected, which is concerning to the doctors because that means it’s been there for a little while, and I just never noticed it.”
A soft gasp escapes a shaken Charlie, her hand covering her mouth at my mom’s news.
“But I thought you said it was good news,” Charlie murmurs, hinting at a conversation she’d had before I’d gotten here.
“Well, I mean, I guess it all depends on how you look at it. Yes, it’s bigger, but I shouldn’t have to deal with radiation or lose my hair. That sounds like pretty good news to me, doesn’t it?”