Page 58 of From the Embers

“Hey, Mom,” I say when I swipe to answer.

“Hi, sweetie,” she replies. “Did I catch you at a good time?”

I don’t have the heart to say that she didn’t, and I’m still going over what happened in my head at Denver’s place and that crazy ex of his. A few red flags have certainly started to pop up, and I’m not liking any of it. “Yeah, I’m just tidying up.”

“Is everything okay?”

“It’s fine, Mom.”

“You know you always do a big spring clean out when something is bothering you. Is it that, sweetheart, or are you really just settling in?”

My forehead scrunches for a moment while I think about that statement. It only takes me a second or two to realize she’s right. “Well, I still have a bit to unpack. You know I believe in the therapeutic qualities of tidying, just like Marie Kondo,” I say. “Helps clear the mind and everything. The move has been pretty full on.”

“I don’t know who Marie Kondo is,” Mom laughs. “But if you need to talk, I’m here. Moving is always very stressful, honey. But you know we’re glad to have you back in Chicago, right?”

“Yeah, Mom. I’m glad to be back, too. Just the late nights at the bar are messing with me a bit.” And Denver Banks has a lot to do with that.

“Well, Daryl is back in a couple of days and I was thinking we could all get together soon and have a little family housewarming for you?”

I gulp even though it sounds like a good idea. I haven’t had a proper sit-down with my family since I got here last month, only a weekend here and there.

Having thrown myself straight into work and getting my apartment sorted out hasn’t left me much time to catch up with my family and I feel bad. “I’d like that,” I say. “Thanks, Mom.”

“I spoke to Daryl last night and he’s onboard. Oh, that reminds me, he asked Denver to come, too. You’ve been seeing him at the bar I hear?”

Another gulp. Good news travels fast in this family. “Yes, he walked me home from work… on Daryl’s instructions,” I quickly add the last part. “And I’m sure he doesn’t want to come to my housewarming get-together.”

“Nonsense. Denver is practically part of the family. Of course he’d want to be there.”

“Mom,” I sigh. “There’s something I need to tell you.” The words are out before I even register. I didn’t plan on telling Mom like this.

There’s a pause down the line. I need to get it out, the whole shabang… well, obviously not the sordid parts, but the PG version at least. Mom has always been a good listener, and I know her advice is always solid and comes from a good place.

“What is it, Adi?”

“I’ve been seeing Denver,” I blurt. “As in, romantically.”

“Denver?” she repeats, surprised. “Really?”

“Yes, and Daryl has no idea, so you can’t say anything until he gets back. We’re going to tell him. But it’s new, and we’re just figuring things out.” Then I proceed to tell her about the bar that night, and the whole Hannah business, plus what happened just a few hours earlier for good measure.

“Sweetheart, if there’s one thing I know to be true, it’s that Denver isn’t a liar. If he says nothing happened, then I believe him. Some girls are just vindictive, they don’t want to see their ex be happy for whatever reason. Remember, he pulled you out of a window as a toddler and saved your life. That’s the Denver we know and love. I don’t believe he would ever lie to you. He’d have no reason to.”

Tears brim my eyes again because she’s right. She is so, so right. “I get that, Mom. He’s a good guy, but it doesn’t make him a saint, well, maybe it does. You know what I mean. It’s just this is a lot of drama. I don’t know if I can deal with that woman anymore.”

“Take a breath. Your feelings are valid, but I think you’re reading too much into what happened. He showed you who he was when he was twelve years old—believe him.”

Her words send a shiver through me, so much so, goosebumps rise all over my arms.

“You’re right.” I sniff. “If he was still into his ex, he’d be with her.”

“Exactly right.” She pauses. “You two make such a cute couple. I can’t wait to tell Dad.”

“Mom!” I chastise. “You can’t tell Dad until Daryl knows, alright? Just a few more days.”

“Mom’s the word. And I’m thrilled, Adi. But take things slow. You don’t want to ruin a good friendship by rushing in too soon.”

I think back to some of the positions he had me in with his sex chair and my eyes turn wide. It’s probably a little late to slow things down in that department. But of course, Mom makes total sense and her advice is as smart as ever.