Eve
To my surprise, Wilbur and my mother hit it off at dinner. She adores hearing about his musical journey and about London, even though I privately told her not to ask about it since it's a sore subject. At least, when I asked questions, it was. He doesn't mind talking all about it with her, but I don't mind. I was worried she wouldn't like him, considering she's old fashioned and vocally isn't a fan about us being neighbors, giving each other hickeys, and that I'm only 18 while Wilbur turns 21 in a two days.
"You should come down to Virginia sometime." Mom tells him as we wait for our check. "Have you ever been there before?"
Wilbur nods. "Just for a show in DC. I didn't see much, but I thought it was nice."
"DC is a crazy place. Come to our farm! It's so nice and cozy."
He looks over at me with a smirk. "You're from a farm?"
I bite the inside of my cheek and nod. "It's just some chickens and a fishing pond."
"It's still lovely!" Mom exclaims. "I can't believe you didn't tell him about that. It's a nice little house, too. Lots and lots of cute baby pictures!"
"Oh, I need to see those." Wilbur grins.
I quickly shake my head and twirl my straw around in my drink. "They're all so awful."
"You saw mine, I get to see yours."
"Wait, have you already visited his family?" Mom asks. "You went all the way to London and didn't tell me?"
Wilbur squeezes my hand under the table as an apology for spilling yet another secret. "It was super last minute, I didn't have time to tell anyone. I had to open for Wilbur's show, we only spent one night there."
Mom just sighs. "Just would've been nice to know that my daughter was across the ocean."
"It's not like you've even known where I've been at all these past three months. If you bothered to text me, I would've told you."
Before she can snap back, the waiter comes back with our check. Wilbur immediately hands him our card to take back, and we're sat to wait a few more minutes.
"You don't have to pay, Will." Mom says, smiling again.
"Oh, I don't mind at all." He wraps his arm around the back of my chair. "Uh, Karen, I hope you don't mind, but we promised our manager that we'd have one of the songs we're working on finished by tonight. I hope it's okay that I steal her for a couple of hours after dinner."
I glance at him with a small smile, knowing he's making up the excuse so I don't have to deal with her.
"Do you care if I join? I'd love to watch you guys and see how it all works. Just for a bit, though, I'm exhausted."
I grind my teeth together and nod. "Yeah, that's fine. As long as you promise not to leak anything."
Wilbur looks at me as we get up from our table, obviously trying not to laugh at my misfortune. I roll my eyes and lean against him as he wraps his arm around my waist and we walk back to our building.
As we climb the stairs, Wilbur pulls out his phone, types for a minute, then shows me the screen.
Fuck. I still have your clothes in my room from last night. And my tray of weed is on my coffee table. And bottle of vodka.
I nod and stop us at my door. "I'm gonna change into something more comfortable. You too, mom?"
"Oh, I don't want your boyfriend seeing me in my pajamas." She whispers.
"Okay, well, at least change into a different shirt. Yours smells like the city."
It doesn't, of course, but the comment still embarrasses her and gets her to my place, giving Wilbur time to clean up. Once I shut the door, mom places her hand on my arm and smiles.
"I really like him, hon. He's handsome and a gentleman. And oh, the way he looks at you."
I blush and grin back at her. "Well, I'm glad. I really like him too."
"He could be the one!"
"Sheesh, mom, we've been dating a week."
"I know, but still..."
I roll my eyes, still wearing a smile. "I'm changing,"
We split into our rooms and I close my door. I brush my hair out and pull it into a bun, then change into sweatpants and Wilbur's dark grey sweatshirt. It's awkwardly large on me, but it's insanely comfy and smells like him. Cologne and cigarettes.
Fuck.
I immediately pick my phone up and text Wilbur.
Me: My mother hates smokers. Your apartment reeeeeeeks. I'm surprised she didn't smell it on you earlier.
Wilbur: Shit shit shit
Wilbur: A candle won't help.
Me: Fuckkkkkkkkkk Will
"Come on, Eve!" Mom calls from the other side of the door. "I'm getting sleepy!"
Me: She's just gonna have to deal with it I guess
Wilbur: She's gonna hate me nowww :((
Me: We'll see. I mighttt have an idea that works.
I say a quick, silent prayer before slipping on my sandals and walking out, mom now wearing the same exact shirt from before but in a different color.
"Just so ya know," I tell her as I grab my keys. "Will's friend was over this morning, and his friend is a cigarette smoker, so it might still smell a bit. I know he's been trying to get rid of it all day, though. He hates smokers and the stink they leave behind."
"How awful," Mom frowns. "I agree with him. I'd be mad if my friend smoked in my house."
"Yeah, but Will's too nice to say anything."
"What a sweet boy."
I'm a bit annoyed but also relieved with how gullible she is. I knock on Wilbur's door which is quickly opened by a pretty, smiling boy. We're immediately hit with the smell of a candle poorly masking the smoke.
"I told mom your friend stunk up your place." I tell him.
"Right!" He leans down and kisses my forehead. "I tried to help it with a candle, but it didn't do much."
"That's alright," Mom replies. "I can stand it for a few minutes."
We give each other relieved looks before leading her to his studio. She sits next to me on the small couch and Wilbur hands her an extra pair of headphones.
"Okay!" Mom claps her hands together. "Show me how the magic happens."
