Putting The Pieces back Together

Putting The Pieces Back Together Pt3

Ethan 18

It never will make sense to me. The way girls think; I just don't get it. It's like she was ready to make amends. And then she steps away for two seconds and comes back coldhearted. I honestly don't know what she expects from me.

"She looked pretty."

"You hardly saw her face, Rachel."

"I know, but from what I did see, she was pretty."

"Right, hold her for me." I hand a sleeping Hailey to Rachel.

"She's so adorable. I wish I had a little sister."

"I thought you did." I open the door and step aside, giving her space to walk in.

"Wow, your house is amazing." She looks around, avoiding my gaze. Rachel doesn't talk about her family.

"It's okay."

"I lived in a trailer my entire life—trust me, this is amazing. Are your parents home?"

"They should be. Let me take her." Hailey stirs and Rachel steps back slightly. "I can bring her to her room while you get my bags. Which way is it?"

I'm about to argue, but the look on her face is one I've never seen before. It's like she needs this. I don't understand it, but I can't find it in me to take away whatever it is she may have found.

"Sure. It's upstairs; it's the middle door."

She doesn't take her eyes off Hailey as she heads toward the stairs.

It's weird having her here. I haven't brought a girl home since Ava. Then again, I didn't really bring her home either, it was more like she busted through the door. She never needed an introduction. I drag Rachel's bags in the house and drop them by the door.

"Ethan, honey?"

"Hey Mom."

"What happened to your face?" She grips my jaw softly, turning my face side to side. "Did you get into a fight?" A few.

"It's nothing Mom. I have brought a friend home from school. I hope it's okay."

"Oh, a friend? Is this friend a girl?"

"Last time I checked." Her eyes widen.

"Oh, that kind of friend."

"Yuck, no offense ma'am, your son is a stud and all but he's more like a brother to me. I'm Rachel. You have a lovely home."

"Thank you dear. Do you attend the same college as Ethan?"

"Yes. That's how we met."

"Ethan's very friendly."

"Got that right." Rachel snickers.

"Will you be staying with us for a while?"

"If that's okay with you." Rachel glances from me to my mom.

"Oh, of course. I'll show you the guest room. Ethan honey, get her bags."

You'd think she was moving in by the weight of her bags. "What do you have in here, Rach, a dead body?"

"Maybe. A girl's gotta pack everything she needs."

"I highly doubt you need half of the things you have in here."

"Oh. leave her be. She's a woman for God's sake. Besides..." My mother rests a hand on her hip and raises a brow. "Ethan's idea of packing is throwing in a few boxers, games, a T-shirt or two, a pair of jeans, and if he remembers, he might even pack his toothbrush." She shakes her head, laughter spilling from her mouth. "You should have seen it when he packed for college. He hardly took anything." I was too busy trying to leave everything behind.