Page 14 of Until Delilah

I know once my parents learn what happened, they’ll hop on a plane and be here in a day. While I want to see them, I don’t want to answer all the questions they’ll be sure to ask. I’m too ashamed to face them. I have been for a long time.

“You need to finish your breakfast so you’re not late to class. We still need to go by the shelter, so you can change your clothes and grab your backpack for school.”

“Yes, Mama.”

For the rest of breakfast, I try to shoot imaginary daggers at Max, but he doesn’t seem to notice. He smiles and talks to Beckham like he didn’t overstep by talking to my son about living here without me agreeing.

Once breakfast is finished, I gather the plates and start to wash them. I don’t want to leave a huge mess for Max to clean up later, because there’s no way in hell we’re staying here with him.

Looking over my shoulder, I find Beckham and Max looking out the picture window while pointing and talking. “Honey, go grab your shoes and anything else you left upstairs, so we can leave in a few minutes. You don’t want to be late.”

When Beckham runs out of the room and up the stairs, I turn on Max. “After we drop him off at school, we need to continue this.”

“There’s nothing to continue. I have the space and security to house you. If you want to help, you can keep cooking me meals like you did today. Other than when my mom cooks for me, I don’t get many home-cooked meals.”

“We can’t.”

“Why not? I don’t see what the problem is. I’m nothing like your ex-boyfriend, I promise you. I can promise you won’t be in my way, and I’ll stay out of yours if that’s what you want.” He moves closer until he’s only a few inches away. “It gets lonely here and I could use the company. Plus, it’s only until you get back on your feet. Let me ask you something. Does Beckham have his own room at the shelter?” I can’t form the words to speak, so I only shake my head. “Does he have his own bed?” Again, I shake my head. “And how big is this bed the two of you share?” I clamp my lips together, knowing what he’s going to say after I answer him.

“A twin,” I mumble.

“Surely you’d rather have your son have his own bed to sleep in at night. And yourself?”

Damn it, if he isn’t right.

6

Max

I can’t keepthe smirk off my face as Delilah huffs around the small room she and Beckham have been staying in. After seeing the tiny space they’ve called home since they arrived in Murfreesboro, there’s no way in hell I’m letting them stay here.

There’s also the fact that I can feel that she’s not telling me everything going on with her ex, but I can be patient and wait for her to open up to me. Whatever it is, I sense it’s bad after what she told me earlier this morning.

There’s this profound need for me to protect them from all the ugliness they’ve endured now that they’re in my life.

“This really isn’t necessary,” Delilah hisses.

“It is since you’re staying at my house. How many times do I have to say it before it sinks into that thick skull of yours?”

“If you think it’s so thick, then why are you bothering?” She stops her packing and turns to glare at me. “We’ll only be a nuisance. Do you really want a pregnant woman and a seven-year-old under your roof?”

After what she said about Bradley never really liking her son, I can see why she’s concerned, but she doesn’t need to be with me. That kid is the best damn kid I’ve ever met.

“Like I said before, I wouldn’t have mentioned it if I didn’t mean it. You and Beckham will be no problem. Plus, think of how much easier it will be to take him to games while staying with me since you don’t have a car.”

“I feel like you’re using my situation against me to get what you want. What that is I don’t know yet, but what I do know is I don’t like it.”

She’s right in the fact I’m using it against her, but not to make her feel bad about herself. Rather, to convince her that staying with me is the best thing for her.

“Hey,” I say, stepping up to her and placing my hands on her upper arms, “I don’t fault you for what you’ve done. Now that I know the story, I commend you for leaving the way you did. I’m being a good human being and only want to help you and your son. What’s wrong with that?”

“Ugh,” she huffs and turns around in a circle. “There’s nothing wrong with it, but I don’t like the way you’ve gone about it. You didn’t ask me, and instead, you told me what I’m doing and I’m not going to have another man dictate my life. Not now or ever again.”

I can respect that. She didn’t have it easy with her ex, and I’m causing her to think about him and the way he treated her. I need to change my approach with her if I want her to cooperate without getting angry. The only problem is I like it when she gets mad at me. The way her cheeks flush and the way her nose crinkles when I say something she doesn’t like.

There’s something about her that draws me to her, and all I want to do is protect her from the world that seems to have beaten her down.

“That was never my intention, and I’m sorry. I don’t want to run your life, but to make it easier for you. It’s that simple. Now finish packing, so we have time to stop by the grocery store on the way back to my house.”

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