Lust

Second Chances

Trope: Exes to Lovers

Katie and Dylan

"Nothing much has changed about this shit hole, has it?" Dylan grumbled in agreement and lugged his duffel bag from the back of his brother's pickup truck. He hadn't visited home in over three years, opting to stay in the city instead, but with their father's passing this last year, Dylan couldn't find a reason not to come anymore. They walked up the front porched steps and opened the door to their mother's house, making it two feet inside before being barreled into by the woman herself. 

"My boys," she exclaimed, "I'm so happy you're home!" Emily was a small, heavier-set woman with brown hair almost always pulled back into some sort of bun. Today was no different as any other, bun in her hair, apron on, and the smell of some sort of roast in the air. Dylan loved his mother, truly, but he couldn't hide his annoyance about having to come back to this stupid town to see her. He wished she would leave, but any time he or his brother, Michael, ever brought it up, she would say the same thing: "I've lived here for sixty years, I was born here, went to school here, met and married the love of my life, and had my children! I can't go anywhere else".

"It's good to be home, Ma, smells great as always," Micheal said, kissing her forehead. 

Her brown eyes squinted with her large smile as she tugged them further into the house. "The tale is all set, put those bags down and come eat!" They did as she said and sat down at the table. Before the food was divvied out, Dylan noticed something a little odd. 

"Why is there an extra setting, Mom, it's just the three of us?" 

Emily was just about to speak when the front door opened again, a familiar voice echoing down the hall, getting closer by the second. "I'm back, Em! And I got you some more bread since I noticed you were running low-oh..."Dylan's jaw tightened when he saw her, his hand gripping the fork so hard he bent it slightly. Katie looked as beautiful as she ever did, her red hair fell down past her breasts now (it was above her shoulders last time he saw her) and her green eyes were wide with surprise seeing him. He couldn't blame her; he was surprised he showed up too. "Dylan," she breathed, "you're home." She wore faded, ripped jeans with her beige tank top slightly tucked in. Her multicolored flannel hung loose around her shoulders and Dylan found himself wanting to reach out to fix the strap of her shirt, but he resisted. 

"Let me help you with that, Katie," Micheal said, standing. Dylan was so wrapped up in her appearance, he didn't notice the bags she was carrying. She thanked his brother and sat down at the empty spot in front of him, her eyes on the plate. Micheal returned and smiled at her, spooning out his portion of dinner without a care in the world. "How's your dad doing?"

Katie gave a small smile, "He's much better, thanks for asking. He gave everyone a good scare, but he's back up on his feet." 

Dylan didn't know she was on speaking terms with her dad. Last he knew, she was still upset with him for moving to the city when Katie's mom passed away, but that was five years ago, and he had been gone for three of them. She and Micheal engaged in casual conversation back and forth, but all Dylan could think about was why she was there. Isn't it weird to buy groceries for your ex-fiancé's mom? How long had her and his mother been talking? Did they ever stop? Probably not, his mother adored Katie. 

"Dylan." He snapped back to reality and looked at Micheal. "Mom asked about work."

"Oh, uh, it's fine...big project coming up," he cleared his throat and began filling his plate; not that he would eat very much. 

Emily set down her fork and looked at Dylan sternly. "Katie's been helping me around the house and she was a very big help when-" she caught her breath, "when your dad passed. I know that given the circumstances that might seem odd, but I think that with the two of you gone I have a right to have some company."