Page 27 of Never Really Over

“Oh.”

My thoughts that are never too far away from Colt in the first place, get planted firmly on him and his heartbreak once again. And not the heartbreak that I caused. The fact that his sister and brother-in-law died in the same accident that brought me back home.

“I was wrong earlier. I thought I’d never seen the shine in your eye but whoever it is you’re thinking about right now is making them shimmer like diamonds in the sun.”

“Awful poetic of you.”

“Truth, Layla. Only the truth. But this guy and the story behind him is for another day. We’ve taken up enough of company work time. We’ll touch base in a couple days. If they sack us, and you need help getting your computer back here or your desk cleared out, just ask and I’ll take care of it.”

“Oh, crap. I hadn’t even thought of that.”

“Don’t you even worry.”

“Thank you, Stan. I’m… I think I’m excited, actually. Unexpected as this is, I feel like maybe it’s the start of something great.”

“Me, too. I’ll see you soon.”

We hang up and I swap out the laundry, starting another load then go and check on my mom. She’s still sleeping soundly so I head back to the kitchen table that I’ve been using as a desk.

When I look at my computer, I can’t concentrate on anything other than this new opportunity. But, I do my best to keep working. I’ve committed myself to this project and no matter what my next plans are, I intend on finishing it.

A little while later, I hear Mom call for me — I had told her to make sure I’m around so she doesn’t fall again because she’s a little unsteady on her feet when she first wakes up — so I save my work and go to her.

“Hey there. How was your nap?”

“Good. Did you get some work done?” she asks as I help her out of bed.

“I did. I have news, but let’s get you settled first.”

“Fun news?”

“I think so.”

“I’m intrigued.”

After she uses the restroom and walks around the house a bit to keep her body moving, I make us both a snack because who doesn’t like snacks. And like he heard me opening the fridge, Dalton walks through the door.

“Does my fridge send up a bat signal every time we’re about to eat?”

“Yes. Yes, it does,” he says with a cheesy grin. “Ms. Maureen, looking lovely as usual.” Mom snorts. She has bed head and mascara under her eyes, a ratty old t-shirt and a pair of gym shorts that are far too big on her. “How are we all this fine afternoon?”

“Do you ever turn off your charm, D?” I ask, setting a bowl of grapes on the table.

He grabs a handful and pops one in his mouth, chews, and keeps talking. “Just part of my nature now, darling.”

“Don’t call me darling.” I wrinkle my nose and turn around, reaching for a bag of tortilla chips to go with some jarred cheese dip I bought at the store yesterday.

“This stuff is so deliciously nasty,” he comments.

“Nasty, huh?”

“Deliciously nasty is what I said. Get it right. Darling.”

“Ass.”

“Aww, such a cute pet name.”

I roll my eyes at him and hand him a can of Diet Mountain Dew, grabbing a Pepsi for my mom and me. As long as I live, I don’t think I’ll ever be able to drink diet pop and maybe I shouldn’t drink pop at all but hey, it’s a part of me now.

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