Page 68 of Lucy
“That’s the difference. Do you see how Chase came in and didn’t cause one note of discord? If anything he blends in. Lauren fucks everything up.” The doorbell rang as if our conversation was meant to be broken apart. “Who else is coming to dinner? You didn’t invite mom and dad, did you?” She looked petrified.
“No, of course not. I didn’t invite anyone.” With long, purposeful strides, I went to the front door to find Lauren waiting there with a smile.
“Who is it?” Lucy walked up behind me and paused when she saw who it was. “Yay…” Sarcasm oozed from her tone as she turned to walk away.
“Lauren, what are you doing here? We’re in the middle of dinner.”
“Just you and Lucy? Where’s her dirty little Beetle? Plus, I see other cars here too.”
“No, not just me and Lucy. Nora’s here and so is Lucy’s…friend.” I couldn’t bring myself to say boyfriend yet. I had to work up to it.
“Well, it seems I’m right on time then. I was in the neighborhood and I got the soup you love so I thought I’d drop it off. Imagine my surprise when I saw other cars in your driveway. How come you didn’t tell me about this dinner?” She moved past me and walked into the foyer.
“Because it’s a family dinner. I wanted to meet Lucy’s friend and thank him.” Each word out of my mouth was strained. I did love Lauren but she was a pain in the ass. If I was going to tell her about Lucy and me I had to be careful.
“Thank him for what? Oh, is he a boyfriend? You must want to thank him for taking her off your hands and out of your hair.” She laughed and walked into the living room where everyone was seated.
“I know this house is big and all but we can all still hear you,” Lucy snapped. She wanted to say more, I could tell, but she didn’t.
“Hello, Lucy,” Lauren smiled.
“Hello,” she said. I noticed the grip Chase had on Lucy’s knee and averted my eyes. He was only stopping her from flying off the handle. I should have been grateful.
“Lauren, this is…”
“Hush,” he shook her hand. He didn’t want her to know his real name. I shot Lucy a glance and she gave me a mini shrug.
“Hush?”
“Yeah,” he said quietly. He’d turned into an entirely different person.
“Your name is Hush? That’sdifferent. Are you and Lucy seeing each other?” Lauren wedged herself between Nora and me.
“Yes,” he nodded.
“Wonderful. I’m so happy for you Lucy,” Lauren grinned. She was only happy because she felt if Lucy were with someone else, she wouldn’t bother me as much.
“Sure you are,” Lucy muttered.
“Let me put dinner on the table. Hush, you mind helping while the ladies sit here?” I stood and offered him an expression to let him know it was non-negotiable. He nodded and followed me.
Once we were alone, I turned to him and asked, “Why the sudden change? You’re like two different people, Chase and Hush.”
“I am. It’s a defense mechanism.” I marveled at how eloquent he was when he wasn’t Hush. “When I need to shut the hell up before I say something I shouldn’t…”
“You become Hush,” I said, understanding.
“Yup. Lucy briefed me on Lauren and no offense…I don’t have a lot to say.” Something like that should have ruffled my feathers. It should have needled its way under my skin to hear someone say my girlfriend got on their nerves instantly.
It didn’t though.
“It’s fine.” As soon as the words left my mouth, Lucy appeared and stood by Chase’s side.
“Hush?” She looked at him and he shrugged. “Is that what you want me to call you tonight at dinner?”
“If I ever introduce myself as Hush, then that’s what I’m going with.” The way they looked at each other was private. Like I shouldn’t have been watching. I was though. Lucy had never looked at anyone besides me like that. She looked at him like he hung the moon and the stars.
“Got it. You two okay in here?” Lucy swung her gaze from me to Chase.
