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“Uuuh,” escapes Hunter’s lips, looking very unsure while straightening himself. His gaze slides to Seth, who tilts his head while staring at me.
I shake my head more vigorously while swiping my hands. I mouth, “No,” over and over again. I’ll explain myself to them later, but right now we have to play it cool. She’ll find out eventually, but now is not the time. I’m too jet lagged and stressed to explain our relationship properly.
“No?” Seth says, his brows furrowing in confusion.
I stifle a groan and tilt my head towards the ceiling. He could sound a bit more confident in his answer.
“No?” Mom asks, sounding disappointed. “Are you sure? It would be so nice to get to know all three of you.”
“Well, you see,” begins Hunter, sounding even more confused than Seth.
“We’re tired,” finishes Lucas with a firm nod. “The flight was so long.”
“And cramped,” adds Seth with a vigorous nod.
“Very cramped,” says Hunter.
“And so, we didn’t get very much sleep,” says Lucas. “We’re absolutely exhausted.”
“Absolutely,” says Seth.
Hunter forces a smile and nods. I have half the mind to smack my face, wondering if Mom is going to believe such ridiculousness. The bros sound like idiots trying to finish each other’s sentences while they continue exchanging glances. I should be grateful. This is such an awkward situation. I would expect Seth to be complaining and Lucas to be scowling.
I’ll definitely have some explaining to do when I get back.
“Alright then, if you’re sure,” says Mom. She glances over her shoulder and gives me a soft smile while reaching for me.
I take her hand and walk ahead over her, practically tugging her towards the door. “I’ll be back soon,” I call without bothering to look behind me.
As soon as the door clicks closed, Mom turns to me with a sly smile. “I can see why you spend so much time here. Your roommates are really cute.”
My face heats. “Mom,” I groan while stalking past her and down the stairs.
“Well, they are,” Mom laughs from behind. “Although, you should never shit where you eat.”
“Mom!” I shout, feeling my heart pounding in my throat. I turn around and nearly die while she waggles her eyebrows.
“What?” she asks with a shrug. “It’s true. Nothing good will come out of dating your roommates.”
Oh my God. If she only knew what I have been up to with all three roommates.
Mom rests an arm on my shoulders, and she pulls me to her. “Alright, burger time. And I want to hear all about Paris. It must have been amazing.”
I bob my head up and down, allowing her to lead me down the sidewalk towards the burger joint. Her voice goes in one ear and out the other while I try to think of a way to bring up my living situation, but maybe it’s best if I keep it a secret for now. I’ve been dating the bros for less than a year, and although now would usually be a good time to introduce to the parents, maybe it’s just better to wait. Mom might not be here for very long, since she can’t keep the pottery classes closed for a long length of time.
I can do this. I can keep this a secret. The bros and I will need to be on our best behavior until she leaves.
*****
A week.
Mom is going to be here for an entire week.
I can do that. I can keep a secret for an entire week. I’ve suffered through far worse for way longer. I’ve kept a hamster alive longer than a week. I’ve dealt with the bros being insufferable assholes for a week. Hell, I worked with Lauren for almost two months. We’ll just be abstinent until she leaves, and I will ensure she only meets one bro at a time. It should be doable.
After listening to Mom tell me one more time that I should come home more often, I left her at the hotel. Currently, I find myself trudging back towards my apartment, absolutely exhausted from the traveling and listening to Mom’s incessant talking. The walk feels longer than twenty minutes. I feel like I have been walking for hours. My feet shuffle against the cement, kicking up stones. I can’t bring myself to lift them any higher. All I want right now is my bed and pillow to cuddle into. I don’t even remember what my burger tasted like, only that in one moment it was in my hands and then in the next it was gone.
I breathe a sigh of relief when I see the light in the distance highlighting our apartment. My pace quickens, and I stumble up the stairs towards the door, hearing voices and chuckling on the other side. All eyes go to me when I step inside the foyer, finding Hunter and Seth sitting on the couch with Lucas towering over a box of pizza in the kitchen. My mom’s sunhat still rests on the edge of the couch in the exact same spot she placed it. I will need to remind myself to give it to her later when we meet for coffee. Thinking about our coffee date and shopping spree makes all my muscles in my shoulders tense with worry.
