Page 43 of Married to Lies

“You didn’t say it was dangerous when he was drowning me,” I muttered while Tyrone lifted himself out of the pool, sitting on the edge, dripping wet in his boxers. I got out too, wrapping a towel around my waist. Mom always had the big ones that could cover more than just my left thigh.

“Don’t be testy,” Pops grunted.

Mom patted my shoulder. “You go shower and get dressed for the day. I’ll change and make some brunch. I want to hear all about how things are going for you.”

Tyrone added, “Make enough food for me too.”

“You know I always do.”

While Mom and Dad walked back toward the living room, Tyrone followed me down the hallway. He nudged my arm and said, “Hope you’re ready for a Mom-style interrogation.”

My eyebrows arched. “Why’s that?”

He huffed a chuckle. “The second you told her you were staying at our house, she demanded we come home. You had her in a panic.”

I shook my head, annoyed at how perceptive she was. Pops would have just let me sulk in peace. “Seems like panic was warranted, considering you almost drowned me out there.”

Tyrone laughed. “All in good fun.”

I shrugged, thinking I didn’t really know fun until I spent time with Rei. I knew blowing off steam, taking a break from work to clear my head, recovering from a hard workout. But fun? That was new to me.

Tyrone and I parted ways, and I took my time showering and getting ready, knowing Mom and her all-seeing eyes were about to have me under the microscope.

All too soon, Mom and I were sitting at the kitchen table while Pops and Tyrone watched game highlights and commentary on the living room TV. The people looked life-size on the screen.

“Tell me what’s bothering you,” Mom said as she put a plate of food in front of me. I looked down to see a heaping club sandwich and a side salad made with my favorite dressing.

“Nothing’s bothering me now,” I replied. “This looks delicious.”

She gave me a you’re-not-fooling-me look, like I was telling her I missed curfew because of midnight “traffic.” “You never stay over,” she said. “Ever.”

I frowned. She was right, but I also didn’t know how to answer without divulging more than I should. “Work’s just been a lot,” I finally said.

“When isn’t it?” she asked. “You burn both ends of the candle like you need it to keep you warm.”

My lips twisted to the side. “That’s just part of the job.”

“I remember when you worked with Claire,” she said with a sad sigh. “She picked up so much of the slack before...” She shook her head. “It’s too bad what happened.”

My stomach twisted at the memories that brought back. “My controller does a good job,” I said. “This is just a bigger company. More to manage.”

Mom gave me a look like she wasn’t buying it. “If it’s business as usual, why are you here? Not that I don’t love having you here, but I can’t remember a Christmas Eve when you weren’t working, even when you were at the bank.”

My eyes trained on a little Christmas tree standing on the counter. It was a palm tree with a little Santa sitting on top in swim trunks. “I wish you would drop it, Mom.”

Her eyebrows furrowed at first, but then she smiled. “There’s a girl, isn’t there?”

“Mom,” I said, my gaze snapping back to her.

“Tell me I’m wrong.” She folded her arms across her chest, covering up her apron that said Santa Loves Curvy Girls.

I couldn’t tell her she was mistaken, especially because my stupid face was giving me away, equal parts tortured at the thought of Rei walking away and joyful at how well our date had gone. My cheeks felt hot even as I bristled at her prying. “Can’t you just let it go?” I pleaded weakly.

“Oh, honey, I’ve been waiting for this! When can we meet her? Is everything going okay? You’re not breaking up, are you? Is that why you’re here? I’m sure you two can work it out. I⁠—”

“Mom,” I said, stopping her roll. She gave me a guilty smile, letting me talk. “I just wanted to be around family while things sort themselves out with her. Is that okay?”

Although she looked me over with concern, she relented. “Fine. As long as you eat. You’re looking thin.”