Page 92 of Under Ground
We need to find a home of our own.
Josh and Delaney are so welcoming, and they say they’re happy for us to stay as long as we need. But as filming starts and our stay drags on, I keep thinking about how much better it’ll be when we’re in our own place.
At the same time, Lana’s happy. She and Delaney are as thick as thieves, and when Pania’s around, they’re like the three musketeers.
I asked my beautiful woman to uproot her life and move it across the world for me, and she did it because she loves me. It does me good to see her enjoying herself. It’s not going to be easy on her when we move out.
But now, my mom is coming here for a few days.
When Josh heard, he insisted that she stay at his place. I was content to pay for her to go to a hotel, but there are so many rooms in this damn house. They have the space, and he’s only too happy for us to use it. And Delaney thrives on having guests, it seems.
“Penny for your thoughts.” Lana squeezes my arm. We’re in the living room, waiting for my mom to arrive. I offered to pick her up from the airport, but she’d already made plans to meet up with an old friend for a drink before coming to Josh’s place.
“I’ll feel better when Mom gets here. I can’t wait for you to meet her.”
She smiles. “I’m looking forward to meeting your mother.”
“She’s going to love you, angel. And I’m going to keep on making things better.” The social media message Lana got still plays on my mind, but I’m going to make sure she’s protected.
Lana cups my face with her hands and pulls my gaze to hers. “You’re doing a great job.”
“I love you so much. All I want is to do is get jobs that I enjoy and that enable you to live like a queen.”
Her hazy smile’s so full of love. “I don’t need money. Well, lots of it. What I need is you, Casey, a roof over our heads, and food on the table. I’ve never had a lot before.”
I wrap my arms around her waist and kiss her neck. “I want this to work and for us to all get what we want.”
“Me too. I just don’t want to lose you in the process.”
“You won’t. I swear.”
Burying my face in her hair, I draw in a deep breath. She smells of sunshine, no doubt after spending the day outside with Delaney and the kids. I’ve been working so hard, I can’t remember taking much in the way of time off.
I need a day outside with Lana and Casey.
* * *
Two hours after her flight was due to land, Mom texts me to say she’s on her way.
Delaney’s gone all out to make her feel welcome. Her room’s prepared, and there’s enough food on the table to feed an army.
Reece and Pania are due to come over at some point too.
“A taxi just pulled up outside. I’ll open the gate,” Josh says.
He presses some buttons and we walk out to greet the car.
Mom steps out of the taxi, and affection rolls over me.
Her face lights up when she sees me. “Alex.”
“Here, let me help you with your luggage.” Josh steps forward as the taxi driver opens the trunk of the car and pulls out two big bags.
“Thank you,” Mom says.
I pay the driver and grab one of her bags while Josh picks up the other one. She trails behind us, and as I reach the front door, I turn.
Her eyes are so big as she takes in Josh’s house. This isn’t something that either one of us ever aspired to. When I was a kid, we had no money, and the concept of living in a house like this was never on our radar.