Page 58 of Adrift

“Darian, I–” Her breathy words are interrupted when her phone rings on the table. She groans, stepping away from me to pick it up. Her frown deepens when she reads the name on the screen. “It’s my mom.”

I nod. “Take it.”

She sighs, carrying the phone to the living room. “Hey, Mom.”

It looks like they’re on FaceTime because her mom’s voice comes through the call. “What is that you’re wearing?”

I rinse some dishes off before putting them into the dishwasher, glancing at Rani through the kitchen.

She regards her clothes. “Just a workout outfit.”

Her mother chortles, as if she’s watching a comedy routine. “Oh my goodness!” She laughs again. “My dear daughter, if only you’d make use of such outfits to do what they’re designed for, then perhaps you wouldn’t be in the state you’re in.”

Rani’s eyes find mine and instead of looking away, I hold hers steady. I don’t need to touch her to know that her face is heated and a pang of hurt and embarrassment just ripped through her chest.

My jaw tightens as Rani turns back to the camera, plastering a smile on her face. “How are you doing, Mom? How’s Dad?”

“You dad is what he always is . . . in his own world. He doesn’t realize there is someone living with him. Anyway, how is my grandson? Has he started talking or walking yet? Please tell me he’s not–”

Rani immediately interrupts her mother, and I get the distinct feeling it’s for my benefit. I also get the feeling that had her mother finished her thought, I would have felt murderous.

“Yeah! He’s saying a lot more this week! He likes to tell people no, and he’s really not good at using that word in moderation.” Rani giggles airily, though I can’t tell if it’s genuine. How could it be, especially after being degraded like that by her mother? “He’s also been asking for ice cream and chips. And he knows how to tell me to pick him up pretty clearly when he wants to be picked up.”

“Of course he does, because he knows you will, and that’s why he still can’t walk.” Her mother’s spiteful tone has me on edge, and Rani gives me an empathetic look.

I slam the dishwasher shut a little harder than necessary, contemplating walking over there and snatching the phone from her hands, giving her mother a piece of my mind.

One more fucking thing out of her mouth . . ..

“Actually, Mom, I was just about to head out to the nursing home. Can we chat another time?”

“Well, I would love to see Arman. That's why I called. I know since you’re there, Karine won’t bring him to see me. I don’t want him to forget me.”

If only we’d all be so lucky.

Rani hesitates, catching my eyes again, and I nod in consent. I finish up in the kitchen and head over to the floor to sit near Arman. I’m sure she’s a little surprised that I’d want to be on camera when she brings it over, but I need her mother to know that I won’t let her say a single fucking thing about my son. And if that means that I have to be sitting right next to him like his security detail to get my point across, then I will.

Rani brings the phone toward us while Arman works on putting large wooden puzzle pieces inside the board. “Here he is!” Rani chirps. “Arman, can you say hi to Nani? Say hi!”

Arman continues to focus on his task but says, “Hi!”

“Good job, little man,” Rani cheers. “Can you say, ‘Nani’?” She articulates the word.

She repeats it a couple of times and I’m positive he isn’t even listening to her, too focused on his puzzle, but to my amazement, he looks up and says, “Nunnee”.

Rani squeals, placing a kiss on his cheek. I can’t help the smile on my face as I observe them. It’s been amazing to see how much progress he makes every day, and it has a lot to do with all the attention and love he gets from his devoted aunt. She’s constantly singing to him or playing games with him–completely in-tune with his needs.

Rani and I exchange a look, and I know she can see how fucking crazy she drives me. I know she claims she can’t read my face, but I swear, she’s the only one who can. And if she’s reading it right now, she’d know this whole going slow thing isn’t going to last long between us because I can’t rein this feeling in much longer. It’s like an untamed horse, unpredictable and ready to buck me off.

She makes me feel wild.

Wild, like her fucking hair. Wild, like my racing heart and sordid thoughts. Wild, like the way she rocked over my dick last night, coming all over my pants.

“Yay! Good job, little man! See, Mom! He is learning so fast!” She turns the camera back to her.

Her mom makes a pfft sound and before she says another word, Rani interrupts again, “Anyway, I have to go now. Let’s talk soon.”

“Rani.” Her mom’s voice suddenly has a different sort of ice around it. “Can you please call me when you’re . . . alone? I’d like to discuss something with you.”

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