AllFreeNovel
Share Us
RACHEL
The restaurant is bursting with chatter. The tables are filled with parents dining with incoming freshmen and returning college students meeting with friends. Campus has been extremely busy for the past week with a bustle of crowds returning for the next school year. And given that it’s Saturday night, I figure the night will only get louder with peers drinking and enjoying their last weekend of freedom.
Servers rush back and forth, balancing dishes filled with burgers, pizzas, and other greasy cuisine that I have come to love. A group of men, looking like they belong to a frat, hover around the bar, taking shots and guzzling down their beers. Their laughter wafts toward me, reminding me of my bros still lounging at home. My attention returns to Mom sitting across from me, picking at her salad. She wrinkles her nose in distaste at the chargrilled chicken oozing grease into her vegetables and the dressing flooding her plate.
I know Mom is perpetually always on a diet; however, she really shouldn’t be judging the food here. Our home meals were always ordered with love from the downstairs Chinese takeout. Mom never was the greatest at home cooked meals, and neither was Dad. Both nearly started a fire in our kitchen a time or two during my childhood, which left us living off of takeout, whether it be Chinese or the avocado bistro down the road.
Thankfully, commuting back and forth from school on my bicycle and walking all over New York, along with my fast metabolism, kept me from putting on too much weight. Although, now that I think about it, maybe I should go running more often with Seth in the morning. Currently, he’s focusing on walking around the campus and getting used to putting pressure on his injured foot. I suspect he will move to jogging next.Jogging isn’t so hard. I can do that.
“Do you think we got everything?” Mom asks while stabbing a piece of lettuce with her fork.
“Yes, Mom,” I say before shoving my burger into my mouth, enjoying the explosion of ketchup, mustard, pickles, and meat assaulting my tongue.
“Are you sure? I think the mall is still open. We can get you a pair of rain boots. Does it rain often here?”
I stifle the need to roll my eyes. She leaves tomorrow morning, and I’ve been counting down the minutes since meeting her in the mall earlier. Unfortunately, I never got her to tell me why she came so unexpectedly. Our discussions have been focused more around the upcoming school year and my friends.
Well, when I mean friends, I mean the bros and Charlie. I haven’t told her about Lauren or the whole Josh incident. She would probably have a major freak out and never leave. And honestly, I was desperate for her to be gone. Never in all my years of living with the woman had she been so needy; buying whatever I wished and following me around like a lost puppy dog.
“I’m fine, mom,” I say through mouthfuls of my burger. “I’ve got everything I need.”
“But what about those boots?”
I swallow the food and close my eyes, telling myself she’s only worried about her little girl. Maybe she’s going through empty nest syndrome. I should be happy to have such a loving mom. “If there’s a flood, I’ll be sure to grab a passing board and surf my way to class,” I say while opening my eyes. My lips lift into a mischievous look while Mom shakes her head at me.
“It’s too bad your roommates couldn’t join us,” Mom says, her gaze lowering to her plate.
I don’t know whether to feel nervous or happy about the topic change.Most likely nervous, I tell myself while lowering my burger. Mom has this whole serious look on her face, and I’m worried I’ve been outed. We’ve been so careful, though. There hasn’t been any funny business whatsoever, which Seth enjoys reminding me of every waking moment.
Although, I kinda have to agree with him. I haven’t abstained from sex for this long since I met the bros, and I don’t think I can take it much longer. Just this morning, I stumbled upon Seth doing his morning exercises. Seeing his flexed abs and his muscled arms sent my mind in the gutter within minutes, and I had to take a very cold shower in order to stifle my desire.
You’re nearly there, I tell myself.You can hold out until after Mom leaves for the airport. And then you can have as much sexy time as you want.With that thought, my mind immediately swivels back to Seth doing his exercises and Lucas working out, naked from the waist up, with his muscles glistening under the light shining into the apartment. My face flushes as my mind imagines both Seth and Lucas kissing my neck, my shoulders, their hands sliding against my flesh.
“Rachel,” Mom’s tone is serious, and it sends my mind to a screeching halt.
I clear my throat and straighten in my seat. “If it’s about the boots, you seriously have nothing to worry about. I survived all last school year without them, and I’m sure I’ll survive this year too.”
Mom sighs while shaking her head. “It’s not about the boots. I just wanted to say-” Mom stops, her gaze lowering. The tension in the air is so thick, I probably wouldn’t be able to cut it with a steak knife.
“What is it, Mom?” I ask while leaning towards her, my insides twisting with worry. Is she finally going to tell me why she’s here?
Mom shakes her head and forces a smile. “You know what, it doesn’t matter all that much.”
“Mom, what is it?” I ask, feeling irritated that she won’t spit out whatever is on her mind. Since when has she ever held back? She’s never had a filter before.
Mom chuckles. “It’s really very silly.”
I purse my lips while craning my head towards her. “You can tell me,” I say while taking her hand. Her skin feels clammy to the touch, but she latches on, giving me a gentle squeeze.
“Come home for Christmas this year?” she rushes out.
She’s evading me, I realize while staring at her. She’s not worried about Christmas at all. Why won’t she just tell me? “I came home last year.”
“Yes, but then you cut your break short to go skiing. Can you stay your whole vacation? Your father and I really miss you.”
That’s the first time she’s brought up Dad this whole trip. Is something wrong with Dad? Is that why she wants me to come home for longer? My mind goes to Hunter and how he lost his mother nearly six months ago. Every now and then I catch him staring out the window, his hands fisting while tears stream down his cheeks. I would hate to be in his position, feeling like I could have done more.
“Alright,” I say while bobbing my head. “I’ll make sure to spend the whole trip with you.”
