“Sure, are you expecting someone?”
“Just go answer it!” I say with a laugh.
Abbi reappears looking a little better than before, just after Ryan leaves the room. Her make-up mostly covers the dark circles under her eyes from lack of sleep, but her eyes are still red and bloodshot from crying. Something tells me her mum will zone straight in on that and presume the tattooed bad boy has broken her heart.
“Oh my God!” we hear Ryan say from downstairs, making us laugh.
“Happy birthday, son!” Karen and Dave say at the same time. “Are you going to invite us in or just stand there staring?” Dave says with a laugh.
I’m glad Ryan is surprised and that I actually managed to keep all of this a secret from him. A couple of seconds later, we hear them climbing the stairs to join us. I quickly fill the kettle again and put it on as Dave and Karen turn the corner and greet their daughters. Ryan walks around them, comes straight to me and engulfs me in a huge hug.
When he pulls back, I notice his eyes are a little wet. “You spoke to my mum and organised this?” he asks, with a look of disbelief on his face.
“Yeah, I phoned her and she didn’t hang up on me!” I say quietly with a laugh. “I thought it was time to put what happened in the summer behind us. I know you’ve missed them so I wanted you to be able to spend some time with them. The five of you can do whatever you want this afternoon, but you need to be back by seven for dinner. Then tomorrow we are meeting the Morrisons at the Fat Dog. Susan wanted to still cook a roast but after a lot of convincing I managed to get her to change her mind. I thought her cooking for ten was crazy!”
Ryan leans back into me and whispers, “I love you so much, Molly. Thank you.” He gives me an innocent kiss on the cheek but I can tell by the look in his eyes he wants to do so much more.
“Molly,” Dave says, walking over to us with his arms out. He embraces me in a hug before thanking me for inviting them to spend the weekend with their kids. Karen isn’t quite so forthcoming. She gives me a reluctant kiss on the cheek.
I make them all tea and coffee and put biscuits out for them to eat while they catch up and decide what to do. I excuse myself and head downstairs; I don’t want to get in the way of their family bonding time.
Chapter Ten
Ryan
I really thought it was going to be Jax stood on my doorstep coming to make up with Abbi. Never in a million years was I expecting my parents to be stood there. I thought I was imagining it to begin with; it wasn’t until dad started joking about me letting them in that I snapped out of my shocked state. I took both of their coats and hung them up before taking their bag and leading them to the living area. My parents have only been here once before and it was the week I got the keys, so it was pretty much empty. I’m really glad they are now seeing it as my home, not just a house.
I leave them to say hello to Abbi and Liv. I’m glad to see Abbi is looking better now she is dressed - Mum would have had a field day otherwise. I walk straight over to Molly and throw my arms around her. I don’t care who is looking; what she has done means so much to me and there is no way I’m not letting her know how much I appreciate it.
Once we have all said our, hellos, Molly makes us all drinks and leaves us to chat and decide what we want to do. I watch her leave out of the corner of my eye and my heart drops at how she feels like she isn’t a part of this family, and that she feels like she has to leave us alone. I want to follow her and drag her back up here, but I also want to accept her wishes for us to stay quiet. I guess she wants to try to win my mum around as my friend before I introduce her as my girlfriend.
We eventually decide as the weather is nice that we will just go in to the city and have a wander around. Dad wants to see the university and a couple of our well-known sights in Oxford, whereas Mum, Abbi and Liv would like to hit the high street. Personally I’m not bothered what we do, it will just be nice to spend a day together.
I’m hopeful I can convince Molly to join us, so head down to see her. To my surprise, she is already wearing her coat and is sat on her bed pulling her boots on.
“You going out?”
“Yeah, I thought I would go and check in on Jax. He was pretty upset last night. Have you guys decided what you’re doing?”
“Yeah, we are just going into the city. I was hoping you’d come with us though,” I say, sitting down next to her and grabbing her hand.
“No, your mum is already having to put up with me here. I don’t want to crash your family day. I’m cooking us all dinner tonight so we can be together then.”
“You’re my family too, Molly.” I watch as her eyes fill with moisture as I say this. “She will never know how amazing you are if she doesn’t get to spend any time with you,” I rest my forehead against hers when she turns to look at me.
“We will have enough time together before they go back tomorrow. Plus, I think she’ll appreciate me giving you guys time to be together.” She looks at me with sad eyes. I know she is dying to be part of my family and to be accepted by my mum. I’m just praying that it happens, and soon. I want all the people I love to get on and be able to spend time together.
“Okay,” I say, giving in to her. I guess she’s right.
“Okay,” is all she says in response, but she keeps her eye contact with me. “Make sure you’re all back by seven. I’m hoping to impress your mum with my home cooking skills!”
“Aw, you trying to show her what a good wife you’ll be?” I say with a laugh, trying to lighten the mood.
“Yeah, something like that,” she replies sadly. She gives me a quick kiss on the lips before standing, saying that she’ll see me later and to enjoy my day.
“Molly,” I say before she gets to the door. She turns to look at me with raised eyebrows. “You don’t think you’re getting away with that, do you?” I say as I start walking towards her.
“Wha-” I cut her off when my lips hit hers. I lift my hand to the back of her neck and tilt my head to the side to deepen our kiss. She groans when she feels my tongue against hers, and her hands go to my hair, holding tightly. When her hips start grinding against mine, I reluctantly pull away and rest my forehead back against hers while we catch our breaths.
When we have just about got ourselves back together, I give her a quick kiss on her nose before walking to the door. I can’t help myself - I have to look back at her before I leave the room. She is leant back against the wall. Her chest is still rising and falling fast and her eyes look a little glazed as she looks back at me.
“Tell Jax I say hi and that my sister is an idiot. See you later,” I say, before taking the stairs two at a time to gather everyone up for our afternoon out.
I get a knowing look off Abbi when I re-enter the living area but I ignore her probing eyes.
“Where have you been?” Mum asks as I start tidying up their dirty mugs.
“I was just telling Molly our plans for the day.”
“Oh, she’s coming with us?” Mum says, sounding really disappointed.
“No, actually she’s not, and if I’m honest I don’t blame her. It’s taken a lot for her to organise this weekend for me; you could at least try to be nice to her. She didn’t have to invite you to spend time here. She would like us back before seven tonight because she is cooking dinner for us all.”
“Molly is a brilliant cook, Mum, she told me she is doing Italian,” Abbi says, trying to fight for her. “So what is Molly doing today then if she’s not coming with us?”
“She’s going to see a friend. His girlfriend just broke up with him; she wants to go and see if he’s okay,” I say, narrowing my eyes at Abbi.
“Oh,” is all she can say in response, before she darts out of the room to get her shoes.
Suddenly, Mum pipes up again. “Does she have a lot of male friends?” If she carries on like this I’m going to be asking them to leave before tomorrow gets here.
“No, not really. Jax is her friend but also her colleague. He’s a r
eally good guy and he is hurting. Molly would do anything for the people who are important to her, as you may have noticed by her arranging this weekend. Now, this may be my house but she lives here too, and if you can not be nice then you will need to find somewhere else to stay tonight.”
Mum scoffs at this but doesn’t say any more, so I’m hoping I may have got through to her.
We have spent hours walking around, looking at the different architecture and chatting about our lives. Abbi keeps trying to get me alone but I keep avoiding it. The last thing I need is her asking me questions about Molly, and Mum overhearing. She will have to wait until we are completely alone, then I will tell her whatever she wants to know. Abbi and I don’t keep secrets from each other; I’m pretty sure Liv resents how close we are, but she never lets on.
We eventually end up on the high street and the girls drag Dad and me around shop after shop. We sit together on the stools in various fitting rooms, and hope that we make the correct noises when they each appear in different outfits.
We end up in Debenhams. Abbi and Liv promise that this is the last stop, then we can head home. Mum, Liv and Dad are looking around the jewellery counters, looking for something to go with the dress she just bought, while I am stood with Abbi, giving her my opinion of various different perfumes.
I see her glance over to check the others are far enough away before she starts. “Soooo…how long has it been going on?”
I follow her gaze, just to check for myself, and seeing as they are practically the other side of the store I answer her. “A couple of weeks.” I can’t stop the huge grin breaking across my face.
“At fucking last, bro,” she laughs. “Oh, what about this one?” she says, shoving another little bit of card under my nose. The smell makes goosebumps break out on my skin and I instantly imagine Molly.
I look up to see the others walking our way. Before they get too close, I turn back towards Abbi. “It’s perfect. Buy that one for me, I’ll give you the cash later.”
She smiles up at me warmly and nods. “It’s so good to see you happy, Ryan. Mum will warm to her, you’ll see.”
“I don’t see how she can’t. I can’t believe she organised this weekend, she’s something else. I know you’re gonna hate me for saying it, but you should listen to you own advice there, Abs. Jax is a great guy, and Mum would see that eventually too.”
“I know he is Ry, but do you really think Mum would be able to see past what happened? You know what she’s like.”
“Yes I do, but the only way you will ever find out is to give it a chance.” The cashier comes over and interrupts our conversation.
“What did you buy, Abbi?” Mum asks when she joins us.
“Just some perfume.” She grabs the bag off the desk then heads towards the exit. “I don’t know about you guys, but I’m starving. Shall we head back so Molly can feed us?”
Everyone agrees and we go in search of the cars. Abbi comes with me and questions me all the way home about Molly. I can’t wipe the smile off my face the whole way back; just thinking about her makes me so happy. Abbi agrees to keep quiet about us until we’ve decided to tell everyone. I try to convince her to talk to Jax, but I’m pretty sure it falls on deaf ears. My sister can be a stubborn bitch when she wants to be.
The house smells amazing when we let ourselves in. Whatever Molly is cooking upstairs makes my stomach instantly growl.
When I walk into the living area, I can’t help a small laugh escape my throat. Molly is prancing around the kitchen, looking like the perfect little housewife. She is wearing a cute floral dress with an apron over the top, and the dusky pink shoes I bought her. There is food covering all the work surfaces and the table is laid to look like a restaurant.
“Ah, good, you’re all back. When you’re ready, come and sit at the table and I’ll dish up the starters.”
I turn to look back at the others just as Mum’s eyebrows lift. I’m not sure if that is because she is impressed or surprised by Molly. I’m hoping impressed.
Molly
“I never thought I’d say this Molly, but I think your tiramisu is better than my wife’s,” Dave says as he scrapes out the bottom of his bowl of seconds.
I hear a gasp from Liv, who is sat next to me, making me look up from mumbling a thank you to the compliments I received about my dinner. I look at the couple opposite me and can’t help but think that if looks could kill – well, poor Dave would be six-foot under by now. To say Karen looks unimpressed by her husband announcing my cooking is better than hers would be the understatement of the century! He just shrugs at her and continues to lick his spoon. I continue watching their exchange until Karen lets out a huge sigh and rolls her eyes at him.
“It was all amazing Molly, thank you,” Ryan adds with a cheeky little thigh squeeze under the table. He has been remarkably well-behaved at the dinner table compared to last night, when he was constantly trying to touch me up. I guess his stuck-up mother has put him off a little.
“Yes, well…credit where credit’s due. That was a delicious meal, Molly,” Karen says, almost convincingly.
“Thank you. I’m glad you all enjoyed it.”
“Please could I have the recipe for the ravioli you did?” Karen asks, shocking the life out of me. I must look surprised because she continues with, “If you don’t mind, of course.”
“No, of course not. I was one of my gran’s. I’ve typed them all up because her writing had started to fade. I’ll print you one out after I’ve cleaned up this lot.”
“Oh, I love old recipes. I’d love to have a look at them all.” Wow, something Karen and I could have in common, maybe.
“Sure.” I go to stand up but Ryan immediately grabs my forearm to stop me.
“Molly, there is no way you are cleaning. You’ve done enough already. You go relax, I’ll do this. Abbi and Liv can help me.”
“Can we now?” Abbi says sarcastically.
“No Ry, it’s your weekend. You enjoy your family being here and leave it to me.”
“Molly, shut up and listen to my brother. Go sit down and chill out.”
I see that I am now getting serious looks off all the Evans siblings so I cave in and have another sip of my wine.
“They’re right. Let them get on with it and you can show me these recipes.”
I hesitantly grab my wine and stand up with Karen, pointing her in the direction of my room. As I descend the stairs behind her, I have a weird feeling settling over me that I can’t quite put my finger on. I try to shake it off; I should be pleased that I have something to talk to Karen about. A little bonding over some old school recipes might be just what we need.
“Have a seat,” I say, gesturing to the chair, “I’ll just boot up my laptop.” I place my computer on the coffee table and settle myself on my knees on the floor while I wait.
Karen lets out a breath that makes me shudder in apprehension. I just have a bad feeling about what is going to come next.
“Molly…my son keeps telling me how wonderful you are and…he’s usually a pretty good judge of character but something about you doesn’t sit right with me…” I go to say something, but she continues. “I have a feeling that something is going on between the two of you. You seem closer than when I’ve seen you together in the past. Plus, a mother never misses those little looks and touches when you think no one is watching…” Where the fuck is she going with this?
“What Ryan needs is a nice woman who is going to treat him right and be by his side all the way. He’s already had enough heartache to last a lifetime. After poor Hannah, I do not want him to go through any more, and Molly…” she lets out another breath before continuing with what I fear is coming, “you are going to cause him some serious heartache when you decide he just isn’t exciting enough for you. I know all about your past with men. I know you are a little…what shall we say…free. I can see it in your eyes that this…” she waves her hands around gesturing to the house, “and him are not what you want long-term. Y
ou will want the buzz and excitement.”
What the actual fuck?
I sit there on my bedroom floor and just stare at her in complete amazement. I open and close my mouth a number of times because I just can’t find the words.
“Now, I think it’s best for both of you if you just end this now before too many feelings are involved and you end up hurting him more.” I watch as she leans to the side slightly and pulls a piece of paper out of her jeans pocket. I watch her slide the offending piece of paper over to me before she stands up. I have to lean back to be able to look at her, making me feel like I’m at a great disadvantage in this exchange.
“You will take that and you will find somewhere else to live, and you will get out of my son’s life. For good.” She walks over to the door and looks back over her shoulder at me. “Needless to say, Ryan doesn’t need to know about this. You wouldn’t want to break up his family after all; you know how much it means to him. I’ll tell everyone you had a headache. Goodbye, Molly.” I stare after her in shock as she disappears back upstairs.
I sit in the same position, looking at the little piece of paper on the coffee table for the longest time. Eventually, my legs go completely dead and I have to move. I scoot over to sit in the chair Karen was sat in not so long ago, and continue staring at the paper. I know I need to move, because if I know Ryan at all he will come down to check on me as soon as he can.
I just pluck up the courage to look at what is on the paper when I hear him at the top of the stairs. “Grab me another beer, I just want to make sure she’s okay.”
“Shit,” I say to myself. I grab the paper, dive onto my bed and shove it under my pillow. I lie so I’m facing away from the door and pretend to be asleep.
“Molly?” I hear him whisper before the bed dips. He leans forward and moves a strand of hair that is over my face before leaning over and placing a kiss to my temple.
I have to really concentrate on keeping my breathing slow to try to convince him I’m asleep, because in reality all I want to do is wrap my arms around him and tell him what a massive bitch his mother is, but her words keep repeating in my head, “You wouldn’t want to break up his family after all; you know how much it means to him.” And she’s right, I would do anything to keep his family together and around him. I know what it is like not to have a full one, and I wouldn’t wish that on anyone, even a fully grown man. Everyone needs their mum sometimes.
Angel Series Books #1-2.5 Page 40