Page 73 of Forever Enough
I knew she was talking about the phone call, and why I was not happy Crystal was staying at the house.
Slipping off the stool, Crystal flashed that brilliant smile of hers. “I’m going to go freshen up before dinner. What should I wear, Bradly?”
Shrugging, I said, “It’s pizza. Wear jeans.”
Her smile slipped before she chuckled. “I forgot how down-home you can be when you’re back in Montana. Just come to my room when you’re ready to leave.”
I didn’t bother to reply as she turned and headed out of the kitchen. When it was clear she was far enough away, my mother looked at me with a disappointed expression.
“You’ve been sleeping with Crystal?”
“What?” Avery nearly shouted.
“Oh, Bradly,” my father said as he scrubbed a hand down his face.
“No.”
“No, as in never?” Mom asked.
“No, as in I haven’t been with her in months. It started before she took over for Lewis. I was lonely, she was someone familiar. It didn’t mean anything.”
“How many times?” my mother asked.
I looked at Avery, and she laughed. “Oh, don’t even think of asking me to leave. I’m totally invested in this conversation.”
Rolling my eyes, I sighed. “I don’t…geez, Mom, I never kept track.”
She took a couple steps back and leaned against the counter.
“Merit, don’t give the boy a hard time.”
“Don’t give him a hard time? He’s sleeping with his agent, Dirk!”
“Was. I haven’t been with her in over eight months.”
“Why?” Avery asked. “I mean, what made you stop?”
Shooting her a glare, I replied, “If you must know, she wanted more. I didn’t. I told her in the beginning it was purely…” I looked at my mother. “Mom, this feels really weird.”
“It was purely sex, just say it, Bradly. You’re an adult. Mom can handle it,” Avery said, as everyone turned to look at her. Her arms were folded over her chest as she gave a little shrug. “What? It’s true. So Bradly had a fuck buddy, did you think he was a virgin?”
“Oh my God.” Mom sighed, massaging her temples.
“You know, I used to love how close we were as a family,” I stated. “I’m starting to rethink that.”
“You and me both,” my father grumbled. “If Lewis finds out, he’s going to kill you, then most likely come after me.”
I rolled my eyes. “There’s nothing between us now.”
My mother dropped her hands to her sides. “Then why is she here, Bradly? Just days after Christmas, claiming she has some important news that she just couldn’t tell you over the phone?”
My mouth hung open in shock. “You were the one who invited her to stay here!”
Giving me a look that only a mother can give, she whisper-shouted, “That was before I knew you had sex with her!”
I felt my cheeks heat.
“Did you tell Mackenzie?”