Eventually the conversation turned to how Devon was feeling about me.
“You know, you two have always been friends and I have known you since you were kids. If something has changed between you two, of course it would make me happy. But I would like to know about it.” My mom watched me and then Devon.
“I’ll go first.” Devon took a sip of water.
I placed a salad on the table for my mom and sat down with mine, scooting my chair in. “I don’t want to miss the good part.” I grinned at Devon.
“Ms. Hudson, your daughter has always been special to me. I always knew she was special since we were young. We both led similar lives. I mean, she lost her dad when he left her at a young age, and my dad died when I was only four. We really propped each other up over the years. Life just became much better with her in it.” Devon glanced at me and scooped a piece of lettuce with his fork. “It’s almost as if it was meant to be sometimes. As long as I can remember, she has always been my best friend. I could not imagine life without her. That’s why when she told me that you may be moving, it really felt like someone hit me in the gut with a ton of bricks.
“I don’t want Erin to move away from us, Ms. Hudson. She means too much to me. This family has a special place for me, everything from this house, to that little sandbox in the backyard. There are too many good memories.”
A soft smile moved across Ms. Hudson’s lips. Devon took a bite of salad and gulped down some milk.
“If I may be frank, Ms. Hudson?”
“Please.” She smiled at him.
“Some things are more important than money, ma’am. I understand that we all struggle financially. My mom does too. She’s at work right now, as usual. I mean, they cut her hours down to forty a week, and that was because of her doctor’s recommendation. They just switched her schedule to the busiest times of the day.”
“But she’s still doing well? She interjected with concern.
“Oh, yes ma’am.” Devon glanced at the table with a somber look. “But we can make it here. Erin and I were so excited about getting a lifeguard position this summer.”
“Yes, she told me. That’s great.”
“I know it’s not much, but we could at least help. We can do our part, and we can make it here. With each other.” Devon placed his hand over mine.
“From the looks of it, it’s more than just a friendship now.” My mom pressed her hands under her chin while peering at Devon.
“Yes, ma’am. She is more than a friend. Even if she was just a friend, she would mean too much to let her go so easily. Through the years, I have felt it more and more. She is a beautiful person inside and out. I never would have guessed that the little kid down the street would turn into such a beautiful girl. But she was always beautiful. It just took a while for her outside to catch up with her inside.”
“Hey,” I protested.
“That’s supposed to be a compliment.” Devon smiled at me.
“Are you seeing my daughter now, Devon?”
“Yes, I mean, I want to see her. If you mean date her, then yes. I know I want to date her. And I am asking for your permission to date her. And I am also asking you not to move.”
“I’ve already spoken to Erin, and I know she feels the same way.” I bit back a smile and blushed. “I can’t say this entirely came as a shock. I mean, watching you two together, it always seemed you were inseparable. There was always something between you two. Anyone could see that. And now, look at you both. My God, how you’ve grown.” She smiled at me, and then her eyes returned to Devon. “We’re going to have to work this out then, aren’t we?”
“Yes, ma’am,” Devon said. His eyes glittered as he smiled at me.
“I can tell them at work that I will decline the transfer.”
Devon and I looked at each other and breathed a sigh of relief while my mom stood up to bring some more beverages to the table. “But I would like for both of you to help over the summer. I don’t want you working during school. I want you working and saving your money over the summer.”
“Yes, ma’am; my mom feels the same way,” Devon said.
“Yes, Mom,” I said, echoing with Devon.
“You two. I always knew there was something special about you two. Does your mom know about this yet, Devon?”
“I think my mom knew before I did.”
My mom laughed as she set beverages on the table.
“She wanted to make it, by the way. She says ‘hello.’ But, no, I have not told her that I am seeing Erin as more than a friend. It certainly won’t surprise her. But I am going to tell her. If anything, it will make her happy. I think she loves Erin for some odd reason.” He smirked.
“Only because of what she said,” I admonished, cocking my head at him.
“What did she say?” My mom asked.
Devon twisted his mouth at me. “She said I’m happiest when she’s around.” Devon pointed his thumb at me. “I can’t believe it,” he teased shaking his head.
“So that’s why she loves Erin so much. She works her magic on you, Devon,” my mom said with a bright smile.
“Yeah, don’t let it go to your head.” Devon squinted at me.
I stood up, swatted Devon, and took his plate.
“You really have to stop doing that. This is turning into an abusive relationship already.” Devon groaned.
“I’m going to get dinner. Devon can confess his love to me when I get back,” I teased.
“All kidding aside, Ms. Hudson. I don’t want you to move. I don’t want Erin to move away. It would tear me up inside, after all we have been through.”
“Me too, Mom,” I chimed in from the kitchen.
“Then it is settled. I will talk to them at work and try to get a pay increase here.” My mom propped the side of her neck with her hand, eyeing both of us.
“Thank you, Ms. Hudson,” Devon beamed.
She smiled at Devon. “Now let’s eat.”
Chapter Four
~Devon~
Devon and Erin walked hand in hand to see Devon’s mom at work. Everyone realized they had become more than friends, so they figured they should be the ones to tell those who cared about them most.
Devon strode in with Erin’s hand to his chest when he spotted his mom working at the cash register. They ducked behind the circular clothes racks to avoid being spotted, and got in line and pretended they were customers.
Devon got a good sense of the demands customers placed on his mom. When one customer demanded he be helped while she was helping another customer, Devon’s lips flattened as he glared at him. He was about to walk over to him when Erin grabbed his arm. “Devon,” she whispered. “It’s alright. She deals with people all day. Let’s just wait here and surprise her. It will make her happy,” she said.
“Okay. What an asshole,” he grumbled.
“Shhh, we’re almost there.” Devon’s long arm hung loosely around Erin’s neck, and Erin’s hand caressed his as they waited.
The next customer rang up three pairs of jeans and two shirts as Devon stood behind her. She was so engrossed in her job that his mom did not even see them.
“Next please.”
“Hi, I would like everything at half-price please,” Devon said with a firm tone.
“Devon!”
“Hi, Mom.”
“Hi, Ms. Coury.” Erin grinned with Devon’s arm still around her.
“Erin, what a pleasant surprise! What are you two doing here?” she said, cutting off the tags on the clothes.
“Mom, we wanted to talk with you. Can you take a break?” Devon asked.
“Sure, son, give me about ten minutes and I can meet you at the cafe upstairs.”
“Sure, Mom. See you in a bit.”
“Okay.” Marilyn rang up another customer and glanced at Erin and Devon walking away, holding hands. She folded the customer’s clothes and placed them in a bag.
“Is that your son?” the customer asked. She was a middle-aged woman with short hair and sunglasses on her h
ead.
“Yes, surprise visit.” Marilyn smiled.
“How thoughtful. My kids never do that. Good-looking boy,” she said.
“Oh, thank you.” Her face dimpled as she arranged the clothes.
“And his girlfriend…just beautiful. I can see you have an important visit. I won’t take up much of your time.” The woman smiled back.
“I just hope the news is good,” Marilyn said with a cautious tone.
“It certainly looks like it,” the customer said while watching the young couple.
Marilyn asked her co-worker to fill in for ten minutes and took the escalator upstairs. Devon and Erin were waiting for her at the table, sitting shoulder to shoulder. Erin’s hand was on Devon’s lap, their fingers entwined together.
Devon stood when he saw his mom, and hugged her. “Hey, Mom. You look great. How are you feeling?”
“I feel good, dear. It’s wonderful to see you. Erin, what a wonderful surprise.”
“Thank you, Ms. Coury.”
“How’s the arm, Devon?”
“Four weeks, Mom, then the cast can come off.”
“Your face certainly looks better. Wouldn’t want anyone to mess up that handsome face.” She pinched his cheek. Devon rolled his eyes and held the chair for his mom.
Ms. Coury scooted the chair in. “So what brings both of you here to my humble workplace?”
“Erin received some news that, well, really threw me for a loop the other day. Her mom was considering moving for a better paying position.”
“Oh, no.” She frowned.
“That’s how I felt. You know Erin and I have been friends all of our lives.”
“Yes, of course.”
“And you know, probably more than anyone, how much we grew together over the years and supported each other. You said it yourself. We are good for each other.”
“Yes, you are. It’s uncanny. There is something about you two, when you are together.”
“Well, Mom, when Erin told me that she may be moving, it really jarred that reality into me. I had to face my feelings for Erin.” Devon grasped Erin’s hand. “I have known for some time now that Erin is more than a friend to me. I guess I was afraid of what I was feeling for a long time. But when Erin told me that she would be leaving, I had to face my feelings for her. To be honest with you, I’ve felt this for some time, and I was scared of what I was feeling. But the thought of Erin leaving—I mean, that would be too much. So I had to face it or lose her.”
Marilyn’s eyes gazed over them and back to Devon. “I see.” A slight grin started to appear.
“But there is another aspect to this that we need to talk about.”
“Sure, son, what is it?” she asked with a more serious tone.
“It just made me realize how much we struggle for money. But, Mom, money can only give us so much. It’s not going to buy back what we already have if we lose it. So all of this brought up feelings about Dad, and you. Stuff I’ve kept inside for a long time. I just decided that I’m not going to lose someone else that I love because of money. It’s not worth it to me anymore.
“So that is mainly what I wanted to tell you. But also that we can find a way, if we both pitch in to help with expenses.” Devon glanced at Erin and back to his mom.
“And Erin, you feel the same way?” Marilyn took a sip of water.
“Oh, yes, Ms. Coury. I feel the way Devon does. I have felt it for a long time. This just made me face it. And I am willing to help my mom, too. We are applying for lifeguard positions to pay for our expenses over the summer.” Erin held Devon’s hand.
“Do you both plan on going to college?” Marilyn folded her hands on the table.
“Yes, Mom. I mean, I guess. To be honest, I think it’s a bit overrated.”
Marilyn cocked her brow at Devon. “Really?”
“Don’t get me wrong. I’m just saying it’s not everything. And to be honest, it’s not all what they say. I mean, how many people are happy with a fancy degree, burdened with student loans for several hundred thousand dollars? I did some research on it. Lots of low-paying jobs and lots of debt, even after law school. They don’t advertise that in the brochures, you know. But I know college is important. I’m just saying it’s not everything, and we can find a way through this as well. As long as we don’t sacrifice too much for what we already have.”
Devon squeezed Erin’s hand, and Marilyn smiled at them.
“You’ve been thinking a lot about this.” Her brows creased with affection.
“Only recently, Mom. About you, about Dad, and about Erin. Yes, I have.”
“I have to say I am very proud of you, Devon. Yes, I always knew there was something special between you, so I am not surprised. I am happy this has come to light. So what happens now? Is the move canceled?”
“As far as I know…yes. My mom is talking to the company management this week. She wants to stay here.” Erin glanced at her, and back to Devon.
“The agreement is that we help out with expenses, we don’t work during school, and well…” Erin peeked at Devon and looked back to Marilyn. “We are dating now. I mean, we wanted you and my mom to know that we would like to date now.”
“Oh, sweetheart, that is wonderful.” Marilyn clasped Erin’s hand between hers over the table and smiled at her. “But what you really meant is you started dating and then decided to tell us about it.”
Devon twisted his lips and glanced to the side. “Something like that, Mom.” His eyes flicked to Erin and he gave his mom a hesitant smile. “Yes. But we are telling you now.”
Marilyn paused with a slight shade of concern. She leaned on the table and folded her hands, moving her finger across the ridge under her nose. Her eyes roamed between Erin and Devon. “I don’t have to tell you two be safe. I am under no illusions that I can convince you two to abstain. I would prefer it, but if not, be safe.”
“Okay, Mom.” Devon darted his eyes to Erin in hopes the subject would end. Erin blushed.
“I am so proud of both of you. Come here.” Marilyn gave them both a big hug. “You two look so good together. I cannot tell you how many comments I got about you when you walked into the store. ‘Who’s the good-looking guy with that beautiful girl?’”
“Aw, Mom.” Devon brushed the side of his face with his hand and glanced at Erin, her cheeks still flush.
Chapter Five
~Devon~
Devon stood on the sidelines watching the scrimmage. Matt had been practicing his running game all day mainly for the benefit of the foundering defense. He had scored three touchdowns against the substitute safety. Most players were not able to close down his running game. He just barreled over most of the defensive line and kept going. Players bounced off him like Ping-Pong balls. When he was hit by a strong and fast player like Devon, on the other hand, it gave the rest of the defense enough time to take him down.
Because other teams had larger players like Matt in key scoring positions, the team knew they needed a stronger defense. After practice, Matt walked across the practice fields toward the locker room with Devon. Other team members were scattered around them.
“This defense sucks without you, Devon. My scholarship chances are dwindling with each loss.”
“You’re not the only one, Matt.” Big Earl was on the offensive line. A junior, he was African-American, weighed two hundred thirty pounds and stood well over six feet tall. “So what happened, Devon? And don’t sell me that bullshit story.”
Devon shook his head while checking his phone for a message from Erin. “It’s over guys. Let it go.”
“I heard it had something to do with that hot chick he’s dating,” Derek said glancing at Devon. Derek Sands was a fast running back. The team called him Mighty Mouse or just Mouse because he was short but strong. “Someone fucked with her, and Devon beat the crap out of him. Things spiraled out of control from there. I am pretty sure it was that dude on the baseball team. Peterson or some shit. Right, Devon?”
“Easy, gu
ys. Whatever’s done is done.” Devon muttered as his jaw clenched.
“Pelton. He’s in my science class. He was that chick’s lab partner. Funny, I don’t see him in class anymore.” Big Earl smiled knowingly at Devon.
“Is that right?” Matt raised his brow.
“Whoever did this did not just mess up Devon. They messed up this team for the rest of the season. We have to stick together. Am I right here or what?” Matt sniffed.
“Yeah…” a few of the team members echoed. “But what are we going to do about it?” one of them barked.
“Nothing! You guys aren’t going to do anything. I’ve taken care of it.” Devon bellowed with increased annoyance. “I have to get going.”
“Yeah, we know where you’re going.” Big Earl said with a wide grin. A few of the players laughed gruffly.
Devon heard the trill of his phone and reached for it in his pocket. It was a text from Erin.
Erin: Since you don’t have football practice today…
Devon: I’m here right now, just watching.
Erin: Why don’t you come over?
Devon: What did you have in mind?
Erin: I could fix you lunch.
Devon: Very nice. Anything else?
Erin: You won’t know unless you come over.
Devon: What’s for lunch?
Erin: Come over and find out.
Devon: Will be right over.
Devon headed home, changed into a newer pair of jeans, a clean T-shirt and sports shirt, grabbed a light jacket and headed out the door.
The late autumn afternoon was cool and crisp. Devon walked along the side of the house, and lifted his head towards Erin’s window. There was no light on so he walked to the front porch, careful to make sure her mom’s car was gone. He knocked on the front door and turned around to look out into the calm neighborhood street. The trees were bare now in late fall, and snow patched the well-manicured lawns. His breath was visible as he gazed into the late afternoon sun.
Devon heard the click of the locks and the door creaked open. He turned around to see Erin standing in a red mini lace babydoll dress with spaghetti straps and a red lace bra. The strips of fabric thinly veiled the curve of her stomach and thighs, transparent enough to see the red panties underneath. A red bow crossed between her breasts.
Unbreakable Together: A New Adult Romance Novel Page 2