Play By The Rules

16| Play By The Fucking Rules

So good to see you guys again. Sorry for the long delay on the upload. I've explained everything at the end of the chapter.

Question: Mountain 🏔️ or the
Beach 🏖️?

Mine is the beach. The sound of the waves and cool breeze always relax me.

***

I was slouched at the breakfast table, poking at my plate of eggs, trying to avoid any sudden movements that might make the hickeys on my neck more obvious. But as soon as mom's eyes landed on my neck, her cheerful expression shifted to something a lot less friendly.

"What are those marks on your neck?" she asked, her tone sharper than usual.

I tensed up, my fork pausing mid-air. "Uh, what do you mean?"

"Don't play dumb," she said, crossing her arms. "Those are hickeys, aren't they? What happened?"

I swallowed hard. This was not the kind of conversation I wanted to have. My face felt like it was on fire. "It's nothing, Mom. Just-"

"Just what? You think you can brush this off?" she cut me off, her frustration growing. "I know you didn't leave this house yesterday so how did you get those marks on your neck?"

I shifted uncomfortably in my seat. I could see her getting angrier, and I knew I had to come up with something quickly. "It's really no big deal, Mom. Just... a little rough night, you know?"

"A rough night?" she repeated, her eyes narrowing. "You know, I wouldn't mind if you were open with me. But this? This is a problem. Are you seriously telling me that's just from... what? Sleeping awkwardly?"

I could tell she wasn't buying it, and honestly, I didn't blame her. My attempts at deflection were pathetic. "Look, it's not a big deal," I said, trying to sound convincing. "It was just... a mistake. I'll be fine."

"Adam," she said, her voice rising slightly. "You're not just going to get away with that excuse. I'm your mother. You know I'm always keeping an eye on you and I know you didn't leave yesterday so how did you..."

She trailed off and turned her gaze away from me to Wren, then back to me. She knew didn't she? I had to come up with an excuse or I was dead.

"Did you two..." She started pointing at us. I knew what she was thinking so I interrupted. "I sneaked someone in."

"You what?" She had gotten less angrier but the fire was still raging in her eyes.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry."

"You do know we don't even have the rights to live here yet. This isn't our fucking house Adam, you can't just bring whomever you want."

I sighed, feeling a pang of guilt. I knew she meant well, but I couldn't bring myself to admit the truth. Not now, not like this. "Mom, seriously, I won't ever do it again. I promise."

She took a deep breath, clearly trying to calm down. "Alright. But don't think I'm just going to let this slide. I'm not asking you for every detail, but don't do this again. Play by the fucking rules."

Those words. The words I'd heard almost everyday day for as long as I could remember. Play by the rules. Huh, it had actually been so long since I heard her say them.

I nodded, feeling a mix of relief and unease.

She finally relented, though her expression was still one of concern. I got the feeling that she hadn't let it go and I would probably hear more of her lecturing later, but for now she had put it aside.