Liquid Feels - Book 3 - DP Series - Complete

21. Truth or Dare

Seth and I draw the attention of several of my family members when we arrive back inside the house, but only my mother's eyes follow us to our sleeping bags. We settle back down, Seth resting back on one elbow while I snuggle into my pillows. Turning to him, I reach for his arm to get his attention.

I know he must be feeling more than he's letting on. Watching his damaged mother beg for him was painful even for me to watch. I can't imagine how wretched it made him feel. He seems so calm. How is he so calm?

"You okay?" I ask, trying to read his expression.

"Yeah," he assures me. "This isn't the first time this has happened."

I scoot my head to the very edge of my pillow and peer up at him. His attention drops away from the movie and lands on me. I'm still touching his arm, and when he notices my expression, he reaches over and squeezes my hand.

"I'm fine, I swear." He turns onto his side to face me, propping his head in his palm. "Maybe I've become a little desensitized over the years, but I feel nothing for her anymore. She doesn't deserve my pity."

Never has Seth spoken with such bitterness. I've never heard him utter a single negative thing about anyone. I, on the other hand, am negative about everyone. And when it came to Seth's mom, just the stories were enough to make me bitter. And yet, here he is... calm, unbothered.

"I think I know why you weren't thrilled about meeting Emma," I suddenly say, watching as Seth's eyebrows dip in confusion. He barely even remembers who Emma is, so his confusion is understandable.

"Why?"

"Because she smelled like your mom." He presses his lips together in thought but doesn't say anything. "They must have the same perfume, but after tonight I'm probably gonna toss Emma's bottle in the trash."

Seth laughs. "Don't do that."

"I'm not sure I can stomach the smell again."

"Yeah," he nods. "I'm sure a squirt or two would be fine, but I swear my mom bathes in that stuff or drinks it. She's crazy enough, she might do both."

I'm not sure if I'm allowed to laugh at Seth making fun of his mom, but I do anyway. When he chuckles along with me, I feel myself relaxing.

"Does she live around here?" I wonder aloud, not sure why she would've shown up here otherwise. "And how'd she know where I lived?"

"She doesn't live anywhere," Seth informs me. "She was evicted years ago and now jumps from town to town sleeping in her car. As for how she found me?" He shakes his head, pinching the bridge of his nose with his free hand. "That was my stupidity. I told her I was spending the holiday with you. She managed to pull a few details out of me. Once she knew the town, I think she must have just driven up and down streets until she saw my truck."

"That doesn't sound obsessive at all," I laugh, though the reality of it is anything but funny.

"You have no idea."

We're facing each other, my hands nestled beneath my head as I let my thoughts wander. We've fallen into a comfortable silence until suddenly a large body squishes in between us and lays down. I sit up just enough to get a glimpse of my dad's face and then I drop back down onto my pillow.

"Mom sent you, didn't she?"

"Mmm-hmm."

Leave it to my mother to be paranoid by the possibilities of inappropriate physical contact. She's like a hawk, eyes constantly searching. I guess Seth and I were too 'whispery' and secretive over here.

A massive bowl of popcorn is propped on my dad's stomach and I watch him reach in for a handful before shoving it in his mouth. He must sense me watching because he tilts the bowl in my direction.