Page 56 of Feels Like Home

“This is soweird.”

“That’s not really the answer I was hoping for,” Iadmit.

“Andy. I kind of thought you two were basically datingalready.”

Her statement doesn’t really surprise me. Christine and I have been spending a lot of time together, usually the boys are present but not all the time. And I’m sure she knows how often we talk on the phone and text. But still… I need to besure.

“You’re okay with us dating?Officially?”

“Andy. Stop. You’re crazy if you think I’d say no! Mom has always been happy. Everyone sees that, but there’s something different about her happiness since she’s been hanging out with you. And it’s not just the boys. If you need to hear the words,weirdo,yes, you can go on a date with my mom,” she teases right back, shaking her head and rolling hereyes.

I blow out a breath and sag a little bit in relief. I truly didn’t know how this would go. I’m not used to having girls around, much less teenage girls. Boys are easy to read. They’re simple. They say it like itis.

“Thank you, Bri. Even if you didn’t think it was necessary, you need to know it was. Single parent dating is not the same as when we’re just two single people. And even though you’re eighteen, you’re still her kid, you know? I don’t want to get in theway.”

“Never. I promise. You make her happy, Andy, and that’s all I can askfor.”

“Yeah, Grady kind of warned me to not mess it up,” I admit, trying to hide mychuckle.

“He told me about his “talk” with you,” she giggles. “What a dork.” Her eyes roll, but the love is still shining in them. “He kind of goes all in when he cares for someone, doesn’the?”

“I would say that’s an affirmative. Considering he went to jail for someone heloves.”

This might not be the right reaction, but I feel a sense of pride knowing that Grady defended Bri when that punk Dawson assaulted her at a party during the footballseason.

He was stopped, by both Bri herself fighting back and Grady’s friend stopping it before he gotthere.

She blushes, probably over me saying Grady’s in love with her, but doesn’t denyit.

“I’m glad he was there for you,Bri.”

“Me,too.”

The door to the house swings open, and I watch as Christine appears, flustered andsweaty.

I choke back a guffaw and shout, “What happened toyou?”

“I am the worst packer in the history ofpacking!”

“It’s true. She really is. One summer, she and I went on a road trip and she forgot underwear so now every time she packs like three times the amount sheneeds.”

My eyebrows raise, and I press my lipstogether.

“You bring underwear?” I ask her when she getscloser.

“Ugh, Bri, you’re such abrat!”

“You love me,” Briteases.

“Only because I haveto.”

She turns to me, beautiful as ever. “I think I need a little help with the bags,” she admitssheepishly.

“Hi.” I say and lean over to kiss her cheek, greeting herinstead.

“Hi,” she whispers when my lips linger on her cheek for a few extrabeats.

“You needed help with thebags?”

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