Page 81 of Sing Me Home
“They don’t even know what sex is yet,” I said.
“Yes, they do.” She snapped again. “We already had the birds and the bees talk with your sister. Oh, heaven help us.” She rubbed her temples. “I can only imagine what they’ll tell their families.”
I tipped my head back and let myself breathe for a second. “Well, you knew we were up here. Why’d you let them head up the stairs?”
Dad chuckled. “They’re little escape artists.” But his voice hitched. And Mom’s cheeks were as pink as Charlie’s.
I guffawed, slapping my leg. “Youwere having sex. While you were supposed to be supervising Addie and her friends.”
Mom’s mortified expression was a dead giveaway.
“We didn’t make it that far. Unfortunately.” Dad shrugged likeWhat did you expect? If Mom was home, he was trying to get her into the bedroom one way or another.
Mom’s lips pursed into a tight line. “They were watching a movie. We thought we had a minute.”
Charlie snickered behind me.
I shook my head and laughed. “Yeah. I’m not taking the blame for this.”
Mom’s expression softened. “It looks like you’ve worked things out?” It was a question she seemed concerned about.
I walked over and sat on the edge of the bed next to Charlie, who was resting her chin on her knees, face still aflame. We shared a look, each of us fighting back a smile.
She laid her head on my shoulder.
I snaked an arm around her waist. “You could say that.”
“That’s…” Mom smiled. “Awesome. Congrats, guys.”
My fingertips trailed over Charlie’s hip—even that tiny contact set me on fire. “I hear a but in your voice.”
“But…” Mom’s forehead furrowed. “If you’re dating, I don’t know if it’s such a great idea for you to be living under the same roof.”
“Mom,” my voice tightened. “It’s fine.”
“No.” Charlie smiled, looking unfazed. “She’s right.”
“No, she’s not.”
“She is.” She kissed me on the cheek and slid past me, out of the bed. She squatted down next to a duffle bag that I hadn’t even noticed and zipped it up. Her guitar was next to it. The room was spotless like she’d spent the afternoon cleaning. There were even vacuum lines in the carpet. She smiled at my parents. “Thank you for letting me crash here for so long. Really. I’ll never forget that you brought me home and gave me a place to stay until I was ready to face…things.”
Mom put a hand to her heart. “Charlie.”
Charlie walked over and wrapped my parents in a hug, one arm around each of their necks. “You guys are the best aunt and uncle a girl could ask for.”
“And you’re the best niece,” Dad said, pressing a kiss to her temple. “Er, son’s girlfriend,” he corrected. “That’s going to take a little getting used to.”
I shrugged. “I’m already used to it.” But then I looked at Charlie and my stomach soured at the thought of her leaving. “You don’t have to go. I’ll go. I’ll move in with Theo and James.”
She gave me a sad smile. “I was moving anyway. I was going to tell you tonight. We have a new baby and my mom has missed me a lot. It’s time to go home.”
I tried to smile but it came out as a grimace.
Her hair was beginning to dry, forming into loose waves. “I’ll just be down the hill. Just like old times.” Her head tilted and she smiled. “And not like old times at all.”
I nodded. “Yeah.”
“You can still spend every waking hour with me.” She walked over and looked up into my eyes. “Starting right now. Come help me settle in? I want to introduce my boyfriend to my family.” She pushed up on her tiptoes and placed a kiss on my lips. “And I want you to meet my sister.”
