Sex Says(38)

Laura had a slightly harder time tuning out everyone else’s opinions.

The squeal of the footrest retracting on my dad’s chair indicated his compliance, so I shoved a couple more carrots into my mouth while we waited for him to appear.

My mother smacked my hand. “Stop eating so many carrots. You’ll ruin your dinner.”

I barked a chuckle. “I’m sorry, but isn’t the point of putting out appetizers to eat them before consuming an equally delicious meal?”

I looked to Cam and Laura for validation, but the two of them knew better than to get involved. Cowards.

“Those are there for everyone, and you’ve had more than your share.”

“I’m a growing boy,” I argued. After all, maybe Lola liked muscle. I’d need my vegetables to grow it.

“Some parts of you are still a boy,” my father grumbled as he shuffled into the kitchen, cutting off my Lola daydream.

I didn’t think he’d ever stop telling me to grow up, and I wasn’t sure I’d ever care. Something about him telling me just made it feel like he still cared—wanted what was best for me. I didn’t happen to agree about what that was, but it really was the thought that counted. I smiled.

“Jesus, Jimmy!” my mom scoffed, catching sight of my dad for the first time that night. “Are you wearing swim trunks?”

He glanced down to check.

“I told you to dress nice for dinner.”

“They cover everything,” my dad argued. “We’re not at a five-star restaurant, we’re in our goddamn house. What’s the difference what kind of pants I have on?”

“Just be glad he’s wearing pants at all,” Laura muttered, and I smiled as I reached for another carrot. My mom’s warning eyes met mine, but the trajectory of my hand never slowed.

She just shook her head and went back to her business at the sink. My father was still trying to convince me to change. She put on a show with the initial reprimand, but overall, she was resigned to the man I was—and secretly liked him.

I guess she and Lola have that in common, I thought musingly.

“Everyone sit down at the table,” my mom commanded. “The lasagna is about done, and you’re all in my way.”

I rounded the island and placed a kiss on her cheek before reaching into the silverware drawer to get what I needed to set the table. We had family dinner nearly every Sunday, and I loved it—looked forward to it, actually. But I knew one day the frequency would dwindle, and things would change. My parents were getting older, and my sister and brother-in-law were about to have a baby. It was the way of the world, and I was okay with that. I just intended to soak up every moment I could now.

Laura saw me in the drawer and stepped up to the plate—somewhat literally. “I’ll get the napkins and plates.”

My mom didn’t say thank you, but she didn’t have to. We could see it shining in her eyes, and she didn’t owe us one anyway—it was the other way around.

Laura and I made quick work of the setup, working around my dad, who’d already taken his seat at the head of the table, while Cam hung out in the kitchen and waited to carry things in for my mother.

The garlic bread came out just as we were taking our seats, and I immediately reached into the basket to do what I always did. I pulled a piece out and tossed it to my dad, who caught it deftly before moving it to a secure location below the table. Laura clapped her hands like a quarterback, and I tossed a piece in her direction where she quickly executed a similar maneuver to my father.

It was then that my mother entered the room behind a lasagna-carrying Cam to find my hand once again in the basket.

“Reed Luca!”

I pretended to be surprised.

“Why am I always having to tell you to wait?”

I shrugged.

“For Pete’s sake!”

“Sorry, Mom. I guess I just never learn,” I apologized contritely. I wasn’t planning to learn in the future either, but that wasn’t the point.

The point was to get away with the con, and my mom soaked up butter like a roll.

Laura and my dad stared at their plates and chewed discreetly. This was how it always worked, and I’d never even considered ratting them out.

Though, I did find it funny how they never reprimanded me for lying for their sake, but all of my other lies were derived directly from the devil.

“I guess that’s just going to have to be the only piece you get,” my mom decreed. I shot eyes to Laura, and she promised telepathically she’d do me a solid and secure me another piece.

I looked back to my mom with my sweetest smile. “Okay, Mom.”

She huffed her satisfaction at my easy compliance.