He’s trying to contain himself for a different reason.
Like he’s just learned the biggest secret in the world but can’t or won’t say anything just now.
“I’ll be there in a sec,” I say, trying to sound disinterested, but also unable to close my door on Reeve.
We stand in silence for a good minute before I hear my mom calling out to us both.
“Reeve? Is she coming out?”
He twists his mouth and reaches out for me with his big mitt only to hesitate at the last second.
“C’mon. It’ll be alright now, I promise,” he says.
Telling me in a way I know is the truth.
I’d trust him with my life, but when he looks at me like that? When he focuses on nothing but me.
I’d walk across broken glass and swim through lava just for a look like that.
To hear him promise me everything’s gonna be fine.
I follow him down to the living room, noticing how he has to stoop just a little under the arched doorways in our old place.
Doorways I always thought were bigger than average until just now.
Mom looks like she’s just sucked on a lemon, far from forgiving my little outburst earlier.
Rhys is as easygoing as ever though, sharing a knowing smile with his best friend as Reeve takes a seat, leaving the single-seater for me.
All the ‘grown up’s’ look like some kind of panel of judges or specialized committee.
“What is it?” I ask, curious beyond my control now.
Mom starts, but Rhys talks over her before she can get started.
“Your mom and I have been thinking,” he pauses. “About when we’re away on honeymoon…”
Ugh! Here we go again. What have they planned now? Sending me to a convent? Having me cast in bronze so I have no freedom at all?
My look seems to slow Rhys down, and mom seizes the chance to butt in and tell it like it is.
How it’s gonna be in her house while she’s away.
“We can’t leave you all alone, sweetie. And Denise is tied up with other things…”
I feel my eyes shift to Reeve’s, who’s suddenly studying the ceiling with a great interest for some reason with his mouth clamped in a half-smile.
“…Apart from the only person available, he’s the only one Rhys would trust to watch over you. And just at night times. You’re still free to do what you want during the day,” Mom adds. Almost excusing herself now, looking to Rhys for backup.
Relieved when he takes over again.
“I’ve asked Reeve to watch over you while we’re gone,” he explains.
It’s happening, they’re not asking if I want him to watch over me or not.
“Like your mom says, it’s just for the nights. He can sleep in the guest room. You’ll hardly know he’s here.”
My mind starts to fragment, feeling like a jigsaw puzzle I’m struggling to complete even though the last piece is right in front of me.
“Reeve,” I murmur, sounding like a lobotomy patient.
Rhys shoots his best friend a glance, then looks to me again.
“If there’s one man I know who could protect anyone from anything, it’s Reeve,” Rhys says, his eyes meeting mine, full of conviction.
That Marines truth shining through them.
“It’s only for a week,” Mom reminds me. “Rhys has to work once we get home. And then there’s the other thing,” she adds, everyone except Reeve shifting a little nervously in their seats.
“The other thing?” I ask, wondering just how much better my night could get.
Mom and Rhys gone for a whole week, and Reeve staying here, to watch over me?
I almost pinch myself as they’re telling me, but feel the dread rising soon after.
The trade-off tone in my mom’s voice.
“About moving in with Rhys and me once we’re back. You didn’t think we were all gonna live in this tiny place, did you?” she asks.
It’s Reeve’s turn to interrupt.
A low growl comes from somewhere deep inside him as he leans forward, resting his big elbows on his knees.
Looking like he could pounce if he had to.
“Maybe we can talk about that later,” Rhys is quick to add, noting not just my reaction, but his best friend’s too.
“It’s been a long day, so why don’t we all get some rest. An early night?” he suggests, standing and eying Reeve then the front door, signaling their own private conversation about to happen outside.
“You wanna talk about it, sweetie?” Mom asks, sounding tired, like the whole day’s effort to keep up appearances has drained her to nothing.
“We can talk in the morning,” I tell her. Glad to get back to my room.
Gladder still to realize I have a whole week of Reeve to myself coming up which even cancels out the nightmare thought of having to move in with Rhys and my mom.
I like Rhys, I really do.
But living with my mom and Rhys, in a totally strange house?
Closing my eyes, I make what I guess must be the closest thing to an actual, genuine prayer.