A Library Romance

Chapter 22: Her Return

It's the night of the concert, and I find myself pacing around as much as Lily was the day she was going to have dinner with her mother. All I can think about is whether Lily will come. Sure, it'd be fun without her, but buying VIP to meet the band and get the limited edition merch was all for her. To see her reaction as she got to get autographs and pictures from one of her favorite bands, not to mention getting to talk to them and get to know them as real people.

Lily always sees the realistic sides of people. She always saw straight through me. She knew I was going to like the job even though I was whiny, she knew that my flirting was more to feel proud of myself than it was to get a reaction out of her, and she saw my love even though I'm not the most affectionate guy in the world. Not because I didn't want to be, but because I knew she needed her distance.

Fuck, I miss her. Why do things have to be this way? Why can't we just pretend that Thanksgiving never happened? All I wanted was for her to feel safe, and she was finally feeling at home at my house. I was so proud. And then he had to show up and revert all the progress we had made together, not only in my house, but as a couple.

I'm sitting on the couch, waiting for Marcy and Kolby to text that they had left, when there's a knock at the door.

"I'll get it!" I yell, groaning. Please tell me one of my mom's book club buddies did not stop by for a chat this late at night. I'm leaving soon, but still; I can't stand even five minutes of listening to them gossip about Karen and her weird diets. But it's not anyone for my mother or father. To my utter shock, it's Lily at the door. I fling the door open and hug her without hesitation. She flinches for a moment, but then laughs and hugs me back.

"I missed you too, silly," she says.

"I've been so worried," I say. "My dad told me where you were, but I couldn't help but worry she was making you uncomfortable or that you'd lied and were out on the streets."

"I didn't lie. I was really with my mom. And things weren't too bad. She was the one to convince me to come here, so don't think too poorly of her," Lily says.

"Really?" I ask. She nods.

"Yeah. I called her when everything went down and she actually came and picked me up. And when I fully explained everything, she was the one telling me I was being stupid and that I should go back to you," she says.

"I find that so hard to believe," I say.

"Me too, but it's true. She said that even though she loved having me living with her for a little, she could see the sadness in my eyes with everything I did and that it hurt her more than me being away from her. She wants me to be happy, so she told me to forget about Connor and enjoy the time I have with the one I love. You're right, that was all in the past. With you by my side, Connor won't bother me. So I should be able to live with the fact that he's your cousin," she says.

"It sucks, you know. I used to look up to him. I thought he was the coolest guy I'd ever met. But then to see the look on your face, and the tears in your eyes when you were yelling at him, it shattered all the memories I had of him. I told him to stay away, so I hope that he'll listen. But if he doesn't, you know I'll be on your side no matter what," I say.

"I guess I was afraid you believed him when he said it was my fault, that there was good reason for what he did. But that was stupid of me. Knowing you, you saw straight through his bullshit," she says.

"Completely. The way he talked about it made me sick, to be honest. My uncle's got him completely brainwashed. But he's gone. He doesn't live here, and I suspect we won't see his face again, unless by accident. I want you to forget about him. I'm not Connor, and I never will be. Can you focus on the relationship you have now rather than the one you left behind?" I ask. She nods.