Page 44 of Furious
I’ll still make sure to thank Mrs. Pullin. I shouldn’t be this nervous about my mom coming home, but I am. God knows that we’ve had our differences in the past two years, and I really want to rebuild our relationship from the ground up. The only way that’s going to work out, however, is if Mom is ready togive me an opportunity to be myself. Since my parents split up, I’ve always been aware that I was disappointing her. Every time I would do or say something that reminded her of Dad, I could see it in her eyes. I only ever had two choices; I could conform to what Mom wanted or sneak around her countless rules, knowing in my heart that she was going to be upset if she ever found out. Either way, it was a constant burden on my soul. And deep down, I’m worried that things haven’t changed much between us.
“Zara, baby.” Her eyes light up when she sees me and the usual guilt sets in. Maybe disappointment goes both ways. Despite our many differences, I have no doubt that Mom loves me.
“Mom, you look… radiant.” That’s the only word to describe her. My mom has always looked beautiful, but right now, she looks happy and relaxed.
The golden tan on her skin makes her blue eyes pop and the easy smile on her face reminds me of happier times, when I was younger and she was still married to my dad.
“That’s what two weeks in paradise will do to you.” She beams.
“I’m sure the company you were in deserves some credit, too.” I smile at my stepfather, who greets me with a hug.
Scott looks as happy as his new wife. The tan suits him, and right now, the resemblance to both Chance and Ares is more noticeable than ever.
“Zara,” the smile reaches his blue eyes. “While your mom and I had a great time, we both missed you and your brothers. We can’t wait to hear how the first couple of weeks of classes went both for you and Chance.”
I can’t help but notice how he referred to Chance and Ares as my “brothers,” but I choose to focus on the safer topic of school.
“So far, so good.” I return his smile. “Campus is great and Heather has been awesome by picking me up and driving me to and from class. I’m sure she’s going to be relieved when I get my license.”
“Oh, Heather doesn’t mind the company.” Mrs. Pullin intervenes. “And hopefully having you in the car will keep her within the speed limit. I’m sure she doesn’t want to get pulled over and be lectured about speed and texting and driving in front of you just yet.”
Heather rolls her eyes at her mom’s dig. The few times I’ve been in the presence of both women, I noticed their constant bickering. I guess I’m not the only one who doesn’t have an easy relationship with their mother.
“Mrs. Pullin, I wanted to thank you for the beautiful welcome home you organized.”
Heather’s mom accepts my gratitude with a graceful nod. “Oh, don’t mention it, Zara. It’s a pleasure. Scott is our oldest friend and we couldn’t be more thrilled to see him so happy again. Besides, you and Heather hit it off, and Kirk and I are pleased that she has a new friend.”
In that moment, the sheriff enters the living room, followed by Ares, Chance, and Lev.
My stepbrothers greet our parents before acknowledging me. Lev, however, pulls me to his side.
“Hey Zee, you look beautiful.” He places a kiss on my temple and I lean into his hug. He smells so good.
“You don’t look so bad yourself.” I take in the way the dark gray suit he’s wearing is perfectly tailored to his strong, fit body. Somehow, the gray fabric brings out the emerald green of his eyes. He’s the epitome of tall, dark, and handsome.
Our whispered exchange doesn’t go unnoticed.
“Zara?” Mom looks between me and Lev. “Is there anything you would like to tell me to bring me up to speed with how your last couple of weeks have been?”
Heat rises to my face and I’m grateful for the way Lev pulls me closer to his side.
“Lev and I went on a couple of dates, and…” I stop, nervous when the conversation around us dies down and all eyes are on us.
“I asked Zara to be my girlfriend, and she said yes,” Lev concludes for me.
The moment of silence that follows feels way longer than the few seconds it really was.
“That’s… such great news.” Mom’s smile looks genuine. “Isn’t it, Scott?”
My stepfather agrees, shaking Lev’s hand. “Absolutely. I’ve known Lev since the day he was born, and I’ve always said that if I had a daughter, I couldn’t have asked for a better boyfriend. Now that I do have a daughter, that statement still stands.”
“See?” Mrs. Pullin winks at me. “I told you your parents would approve.”
The conversation around us fades into the background as I meet Chance's and Ares’s gazes.
Chance’s lips curl in just the hint of a smile, and he winks at me. Ares just offers me a serious nod.
LEV
