Page 29 of Takedown

“You, obviously.”

He dims the light and puts an arm around me, pulling me closer. I lay my head on his shoulder, and we take turns eating spoons of ice cream.

“How would you feel about meeting my mother?” he asks.

“I’ve already met your mother.” I saw her a few months after the time I barged in on them. It was last summer, and he brought her over while Alex’s father grilled in the backyard. He quickly introduced her to us. Alex even invited them to dinner, but they had plans. I remember Adam’s eyes on me that evening. It was a hot day, and I was wearing short shorts and a crop top. I’ve never seen a man devour me with his eyes like that.

“You mean the time you almost broke down my door? Or the time you had on those tiny shorts.”

“Shut up, Adam,” I say and shove another big spoonful in his mouth.

“You haven’t met her as my wife. She’s going to want to know you.”

I pull away from him. My stomach drops and I no longer want the ice cream. I put the bowl down on the eyesore of a coffee table. I nod but don’t look at him. He reaches for me, but I stand up and busy myself with bringing the uneaten ice cream to the kitchen sink.

I’ve made it a point never to meet the parents of anyone I’m dating. That was my rule, but when I moved here, I decided I was going to do everything differently. I never met anyone I wanted to get serious with, but now, drunk wedding or not, I can’t avoid this.

“What just happened?” He’s standing so close his chest rubs against my back, and one of his hands lands on my shoulder.

“Nothing. Just washing the bowl so you won’t have to do it.”

He stays quiet, but he doesn’t move away. He remains behind me, hands on my shoulders while I wash the bowl. It’s almost as if he’s trying to absorb whatever is troubling me. Once I dry the bowl and put it in the cabinet, he turns me around and looks into my eyes.

“My mom will love you. That’s a fact.” I look away from the intense blue of his eyes. He grabs my chin, and when I look into his eyes again, I can’t look away. “Molly Flynn is the nicest woman in the world, and she’s going to take one look at you and see the same thing that I do.” He leans down and gently brushes his lips against mine.

Despite the lump in my throat, I ask, “What do you see?”

“I seeyou. I always have.” He pulls away from my lips and runs a hand down my high ponytail.

I can’t help but smile sadly at him. “But what if—” I stop talking and shake my head.

“What if what?” he asks.

“What if she disapproves of me? What if she wanted you to marry a nice Irish girl or something? What if she takes one look at me and decides I’m not worthy of her only son?” He opens his mouth to speak, but I talk over him. “And that’s fine if that’s what she thinks, so maybe you shouldn’t tell her. This is just for one year and—”

A long finger is pressed against my lips. “Shh. I’m not going to keep the fact that I’m married from her, and I’m not going to hide you like you’re a shameful secret. This is the best thing I’ve ever done, and she is going to lose her mind, but in the best way. You’ll see.” He pulls me into his incredibly hard body and hugs me tight. My arms hang limply at my side, but I gather my wits and hug him back. He pulls away, kisses my forehead, and scoops me into his arms.

That evening, we watch a movie on the couch. It’s a cold January night, and the wind whips around angrily outside, causing the branches to beat against the windows. He pulls me closer, and I pull an ugly blanket over us.

The movie’s on, but I have no idea what’s happening. My heart is beating too fast at the prospect of meeting his mother. At the consequences of what I’ve done on that trip to Las Vegas. A trip that was supposed to be about my friend but ended up being the most life altering event of my life.

I don’t know what will become of us when the year is over, but I do know that I will never be the same, and even as I lay in his arms being lulled calm by the steady beat of his heart, I know that I was only fooling myself when I agreed to just one year.

He’s slowly rubbing his hands on my back, and I sigh softly at the sensation. If only this could last. If only he wouldn’t wake up one day and realize that I’m not worth it. If only I were more, someone worthy and deserving of unconditional love.

My eyes become heavy, and I long to fall asleep in his arms, but I think my husband has other ideas.. The couch might be ugly and old, but it’s comfortable and big enough for both of us. One of his hands dips past my lower back and cups a butt cheek. I feel his dick swell underneath me, and seconds later, he’s standing up and carrying me into the bedroom.

Once we’re both under the covers, I reach for him. His hard dick pulsates in my hand. I move closer and kiss my husband.

17

“I should have brought something,” I say as Adam pulls into the driveway of his mother’s house. I’m surprised when he stops in front of the beautiful two-level home with a brick front. It’s not the beauty of the house that surprises me, it’s the size. And the location. I’ll have to double check, but I’m pretty sure this is one of the more expensive Boston suburbs. It’s much bigger than the home I grew up in. I look at Adam, but he’s looking down at his vibrating phone. He seems irritated when he puts it in the glove compartment and slams it shut.

I don’t know much about Adam’s mother other than she’s a massage therapist, raised him on her own, and lives with her oldest brother, Adam’s Uncle Finn.

“Did your mom move into your uncle’s house with him?” I ask, fishing for information. “It’s nice.” I hope he doesn’t pick up on the nervous tenor of my voice. When he doesn’t answer right away, I poke his thigh with my index finger.

“Hm?” He seems jolted by my touch.

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