The Distance Between Us

Chapter 19: The Rules

Chapter 19: The Rules

I experienced a flaw in my plan the following day. My mother was home and I completely forgot that she had the day off. I walked downstairs at 11:45 to find her in the kitchen, drinking coffee with her purse on the island. By her appearance, I could tell she was getting ready to go somewhere.

"Hey mom," I greeted her, sitting down and tapping anxiously. According to Sam's GPS, he's scheduled to arrive in ten short minutes.

"Hey, hun," she responded as she scrolled on her phone.

"Where are you going?" I asked, watching as she sipped her warm drink.

"To the grocery store- I've got to pick up some candy for tonight," she responded. She gets candy so late because if she lets it sit in the house for more than a few hours, it's all gone thanks to Dylan.

"Do you think you can grab some chips?" my brother's voice called from the living room. My eyes widened and I felt my stomach clench. Why is he awake?

"Yeah," my mom responded.

"The guys are coming over later," Dylan answered as he entered the kitchen.

"When don't they?" my mother replied, placing her phone in her bag. "Anything else?" she asked, looking at me and my brother. I shook my head quickly. Dylan, who had his head in the fridge, nodded.

"Soda?" he asked.

"Keep eating so much junk food. It's going to catch up to you sooner or later," she retorted, shaking her head.

"So...are you getting soda or...?" my brother trailed.

My mother rolled her eyes before looking at me. "Are you sure you don't want anything?"

"Positive," I blurted, mentally urging her to leave. My phone vibrated against the table and I glanced at it.

Your house is the red one, right? Sam's here. Oh, no. A few seconds later, he sent another message. Never mind, your truck's outside.

My mother was approaching the front door when the bell rang. "Are either of you expecting someone?" she asked as Dylan followed behind her into the living room, dropping onto the couch with a half-eaten bag of popcorn.

"The guys would just walk in," Dylan answered.

She opened the door and Sam was standing there, looking extremely nervous. I guess he'd heard Dylan's voice. "Hi..." he said quietly. My brother looked at the door before looking at me with raised eyebrows.

"Sam, come in," I insisted, praying my mother wouldn't recognize his name.

"Sam?" my mom asked, staring at the redhead that was now standing in our home. "You're Sam?"

"Y-yes," Sam answered as he looked at my mother with a friendly smile. "You're Mrs. McAllister, right?"

"I'm the sister," my mom joked and Sam looked horrified. This reaction caused my mother to laugh loudly. "I'm joking, Sam. I'm Mrs. McAllister."

Sam sighed in relief as he nodded at her. "It's nice to meet you." He extended his hand for her to shake and when she did, my mother looked at me.

"You're here for Lex, right?" she asked.

"Yeah, we're working on a project," I quickly intercepted.

"You know the rules," my mom told me and I knew what she meant. No boys in my bedroom unless Dylan is upstairs, which he is not. And if he is, I have to keep the door open.

"Yeah, mom, I know," I nodded. "Don't you have to go to the store?"

My mother narrowed her eyes at me. "Yeah I do. I'll be back soon." Grabbing the keys from the bowl beside the door, she nodded at us. "I love you guys."