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My parents live maybe ten minutes from Tamilyn’s apartment so I usher us out the door. The smell of her shampoo fills the cab of my truck and my mouth begins salivating. To get my mind off her, I turn the radio up a little and I’m disappointed when I realize it’s not a song I like. Instead, it’s one she likes, and her voice takes over. I chuckle as I turn down my parents’ street. I turn the truck off and watch as Tamilyn begins to pout because her song wasn’t over yet. She glares in my direction as she turns to let herself out. She’ll get over it. She always does.
Without knocking, we both walk inside. The scent of Mom’s pot roast fills the house and my stomach gurgles immediately. I’ve missed her meals. I can cook for myself but it doesn’t compare to one of her meals. Tamilyn walks straight into the kitchen and gives my mom a hug. Mom has always thought of Tamilyn as the daughter she never had. Tamilyn and I are both only children. Our parents just so happened to be best friends so in return, the two of us became close friends.
“How have you been, Tamilyn?” Mom asks as she pulls two wine glasses from the cabinet. I laugh as I walk to the refrigerator and grab a can of Coke.
“Oh, Rus, will you hand me that bottle of wine, please?”
“Sure thing.” I grab the bottle and hand it to Tamilyn. She opens the drawer and pops the cork off the bottle. I’ll never understand women and their wine. Most importantly, I’ll never understand how I got chosen to be a designated driver in all this.
Mom and Tamilyn make small talk while sipping. I look around for my dad. At least I wouldn’t have to listen to anything my ears don’t want to hear. “Hey, where’s Dad?”
“Still at work. They’re closing out a big case so he may be late,” Mom answers as she downs almost half her glass.
“Oh, okay.”
“Come, let’s sit and we can talk.” Mom leads us to the living room. She sits in Dad’s oversized maroon recliner, leaving Tamilyn and me to sit on one of the couches. The leather couch is cool to the touch but so comfortable. My thigh brushes against Tamilyn’s but I don’t move it.
“What do you want to talk about, Mom?” I can’t take a ton of girly shit so I hope it’s nothing like that.
“Well, I got a call from your Aunt Moira and Uncle James today. Austin has been getting into a lot of trouble back home and your father and I have talked and we think it may be good for him to come and stay here for a while. We know you have an extra room in your apartment and if you’re open to the idea, maybe you could give it a shot. Your dad wanted to discuss this with you but with him running late, I’m taking the reins.”
Austin? Shit, I haven’t seen him since we were twelve. He was an obnoxious kid who liked to run his mouth more than anything. I’m surprised he never got his ass kicked. No, he was too busy kicking everyone else’s asses. Maybe he’s changed. He’s family so I can’t say no. It’s not like we’ve never gotten along. We have never had any major disagreements so I think this could work. I hope he would take me in if the roles were reversed.
“I don’t see why it can’t work. He’ll just need a job to help pay bills,” I tell my mom.
“We definitely understand that. Well, if you’re sure, I’ll call Moira after dinner and tell her Austin will be staying with you.”
I nod and watch as Mom stands from the recliner and walks back to the kitchen to check on dinner. “Tamilyn, if you need a refill, the bottle is out.”
Tamilyn looks at me with wide eyes. “Please?” she asks, her lip sticking out.
I chuckle under my breath as I reach for the empty glass. Her fingers brush against mine and the glass almost slips from my grasp. I catch my breath and rise to my feet. Once I’m in the kitchen, I let my breath out. Mom is just staring at me, probably wondering what the hell is going on with me.
“I hope Austin coming to stay doesn’t put a strain on anything you and Tamilyn have,” she whispers to me.
“Mom, nothing is going on with us. We’re friends.”
“If you say so.” She refills the glass and I turn to bring it back to Tamilyn before this conversation can develop any further.
Dad still isn’t home within the hour so the three of us sit down to eat. Tamilyn and Mom are on their fourth glass of wine and I’ve switched from Coke to water. The roast melts in my mouth and I go for seconds. After dinner, Tamilyn and I help Mom clean up. It’s getting late and I know Tamilyn is probably tired from her run this afternoon so we hug my mom goodbye.
Tamilyn giggles the whole way to the truck. She’s had more than enough wine for the night. I help her in and listen as she bursts into a fit of laughter as she attempts to buckle her seatbelt. After several attempts, I reach over her and grab the seatbelt. I fasten it without getting any sort of dirty thoughts when she rests her hand on my cheek. I turn to face her as she leans forward and plants a soft kiss on my cheek.
“Thank you, Ruston. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
I swallow hard as I debate my next move. I can’t screw anything up. “You’re welcome, Tam.” My lips have a mind of their own and move toward hers. I avert them to her right cheek.
Her soft skin against my lips is heavenly and this may be the most time we get to spend together for a long time especially with Austin moving here for a little while. I know he’s not going to be the same kid he was ten years ago.
“You’re so sweet for taking in your cousin like that,” she tells me.
“That’s what family does. I haven’t seen him in ten years but I’m guessing it’ll be cool.”
“Oh wow, it has been that long, hasn’t it?” Tamilyn asks with wide eyes. I blame her reactions on the alcohol.
“Yep. Do you remember him?”
“I think so.” She reaches for my hand. “You’re still my number one guy. I love you, Rus.”
