I Don't Forgive You

Six

November 11th 2022

It's been a week since I spent all that time getting to know Thèo, falling for him. It's also been a week since I saw Lyle again. This past week has been an emotional rollercoaster between thinking about Thèo and the next time I'll get to spend time with and then seeing Lyle and hoping I don't see him again. For now I'll have to put my emotions and feelings aside because Delilah and I have dinner with my parents and Lilah's family.

I wanted to call my Maman and give her a million excuses as to why I can't make dinner but unfortunately she has an answer for everything. "There you go Belle fille, all done." I say to Delilah as she's sat between my legs while I tie a white ribbon into her hair. "Look Momie, we're matching!" She replies referring to our matching white ribbons and matching white dresses. "Yes we are Belle fille, like 2 peas in a pod." I reply before planting a kiss on her forehead.

"Momie who was that man in the street." She asks while picking out a few toys to take to my Mamans. She's always been a smart girl, picking up on the tiniest of details like her uncle Parker would. I wasn't sure whether or not to tell Delilah the truth. Then I realised that even if I decided Lyle could be apart of her life I would want to be absolutely sure he wouldn't leave Delilah the way he left me before I told her.

I lift Delilah onto my lap, her giving me comfort unknowingly as I tell her about Lyle. "He was an old friend of mine and your uncle Parker's, I haven't seen him in a long time because he's a formula one driver like your uncle Parker was." I explain.

"Come one Belle fille, it's time to go to Mamie and papi's house." I say as I grab our things heading to the door. I have the feeling it's going to be a long night, I just hope my Maman has bought enough champagne.

—-

When we finally arrive at my parents house I'm surprised to find that we are the first to get there. "What time is everyone else arriving Dad?" I ask while my Maman takes Delilah through to her spare room so she can play with some toys. "I'm not sure LJ, you'll have to ask you Maman." He says giving me a side hug.

When my Maman fell pregnant with Parker my Dad was racing in some European karting championship. He was going to be entering formula three the following season but instead he insisted my Maman move back to Texas with him so they could raise Parker and get married. So my Maman followed my Dad back to Texas, dropped her dream of opening her bakery and left behind her best friend. Ever since Parker's death my father has been doing everything he can to give her back the things she lost. We moved back to France, he helped her open her bakery and he makes sure she can spend as much time with her best friend as possible.

I continue  to talk to my Dad about his job at the small garage he's been working at and just what we've been up to lately. We hear the doorbell go and instantly turn our heads not moving in hopes that my Maman will answer. Much to our delight she shouts to us both that she will answer the door. Just as we were about to continue our conversation a voice speaks turning my whole body cold.

"Lylah James, long time no see." Lyle. "What are you doing here?" I ask bitterly. "I drive for Alpine no-" "No what are you doing at my parents house?" I interrupt, unsure of why he's acting like we didn't bump into each other only a week ago. "Lylah James, that's no way to speak to guests. I bumped into Lyle last week and invited him to dinner so we could all catch up."
My Maman says, defending him. If only she knew he took my virginity and left me and that her precious granddaughter is his daughter.

"Lyle, how about you come and get some drinks with me." My dad says, trying to cut some of the tension filling the room. Thankfully Lyle follows him through to the kitchen. "Cherie, be nice. I know he left to continue racing but Parker would have wanted him to follow his dreams." Maman scowled. I just hum in reply as the doorbell goes again. "That will be Lilah and the boys." She says making her way towards the front door.