Page 21 of Deking
Brett
It’s her, right? The girl from the hallway incident.
I should have known. Brett is that kind of friend. Memory of an elephant when it matters. I thought he viewed it as a simple interaction. He has never heard me talk about her since, so why would he think it was her?
Because he is a true friend. He pays attention. I’m blessed to have him in my life. That’s why I don’t lie to him.
Me
Yes.
Brett
I thought so. It’s about time you made your move. I hope it works out.
I don’t bother to respond and shove my phone into my pocket.
It will work out. I know it will. Because Lyla Wayne has been my endgame since the very first moment I saw her.
six
“Hey, bro. What’s for dinner?” I ask Will as I walk in from class.
“Pizza rolls, unless you want to cook something,” he says from the couch.
I roll my eyes. I swear he could live on those things.
“What did Dad have?”
“Meals on Wheels brought over a turkey dinner with mashed potatoes and gravy and green beans,” he calls out.
I smile. We don’t get much assistance with Dad, but Meals on Wheels has been a godsend. They bring over food for Dad several times a week so we don’t have to always worry about what to feed him. It’s hard juggling classes for me and a job for Will plus taking care of Dad. Sometimes we don’t have the funds or energy to cook a full dinner. I’m grateful for the service and what they do.
I preheat the oven and head into my room to change. Before I get the chance to, my phone pings.
I smile when I see it’s Wyatt. It helps seeing his gorgeous abs as my background. I still never asked him about that. Maybe I shouldn’t.
Instead, I open the text thread. Even seeing him saved under “my boyfriend” makes me smile. It makes me forget this is all fake.
Your boyfriend
Do you have time for an early dinner? I want you to meet Kellan’s girlfriend.
Me
I don’t know. I have things to do tonight.
I don’t know why I don’t tell him about Dad. Maybe because with Kyle my dad became a point of contention. That’s the last thing I want with Wyatt.
Your boyfriend
When are your plans? I will make sure to have you home in time.
I chew on my bottom lip. It’s only four now.
Walking out of the room, I head into the living room. “Hey, Dad.” I walk over and kiss him on the head.
“Hi, Agatha. Look, we have a TV now.” He points to the TV.
