20 Days In His Bedroom

Chapter Fifty one

"Kyle!" I called out softly, trying to coax him from his hiding spot behind the tree. "Kyle, it's fine. Come on, Mom wants to thank you."

From inside, my mom laughed and shook her head in disbelief. "It's fine, come? Are you playing hide and seek now?" she teased.

I blinked, surprised by her lighthearted tone. "We thought you'd be mad at us," I said quietly, still unsure how she would take the news.

"Mad at you? Why? What happened?" Her face shifted, a flicker of worry crossing her features. Wait—what was she thinking? No, Mom, I'm still a virgin. Nothing happened between Kyle and me.

"Nothing like that," I rushed to explain, my voice shaking just a little. "He just helped me. I stayed with him for a while—"

"Twyla, what happened?" Her eyes sharpened, looking right through me, as if expecting a secret.

"Mom, it's nothing you should be ashamed of. He really helped me. He took me wherever I needed to go because I had nowhere else to be." My throat tightened as tears threatened to spill again. Remembering all the lonely, terrifying days without my family, without a safe place... but also remembering how stubborn Kyle had been, how much he had protected me. "He didn't touch me," I added quickly, as if that would settle her fears.

She let out a long breath, relief washing over her face. "You scared me. Thank God you're safe, my baby girl." She pulled me into a tight hug, and I felt my heart steady for the first time in weeks. I love her so much.

Just then, Kyle stepped out from behind the tree, like a character from a movie walking onto the stage just at the perfect moment.

"I'm sorry," he muttered quietly.

"Kyle," Mom greeted him, shaking his hand warmly.

"Twy..." He hesitated, his eyes flickering to me. "Twyla didn't stop talking about you. She was worried all the time." His nervous smile was one of the rare moments I'd seen him unsure of what to say.

"Kyle, thank you. Thank you for everything. I don't think words are enough, but... without you, I don't know if I would have made it," I said, voice thick with emotion.

"Come inside, Kyle," Mom interrupted gently.

"I—"

"No, no. Come inside. We'll have dinner together," she insisted.

Kyle gave me a quick look as he walked in front of me. I wanted to hug him so badly, but I couldn't. Not yet. Not in front of my family. Still, I love him. I feel safe when he's near. Please, Mom, don't let him leave... ever.

I helped Mom prepare dinner, though she kept telling me to sit and relax. Kyle and Grandma were in the living room talking. I could hear Grandma's laughter—a sound I'd missed so much. They already had a kind of chemistry, which I was grateful for. Could we really get married someday? It felt almost impossible to imagine.

⸻

"The dinner is ready," Mom announced, her eyes shining with excitement.

I sighed, feeling the weight of everything again. "I miss Dad," I said quietly, my fingers nervously tracing the edge of the table.

Mom patted my shoulder. "I called him many times. He just doesn't answer."

"Where could he be?" I asked, my heart sinking.

"He'll come. Trust me." Kyle rubbed my back reassuringly. Mom looked at him, a mixture of gratitude and concern in her eyes.

"Okay." I nodded, swallowing the awkwardness. Kyle didn't understand our lives—my parents were strict, so different from his family. I was so glad he was changing for me. I knew he was.

"Sit and tell me what you think," Mom said with a gentle smile.

Kyle sat next to me. I knew he felt like a stranger here, surrounded by people he barely knew.

"I never imagined this would happen," I whispered to him.

"Seeing your mom and grandma again?" He whispered back.

"No," I smiled softly. "Seeing you eating dinner at our table."

He reached out and touched my hand lightly.

"Kyle, we aren't alone anymore," I whispered, pulling my hand back quickly.

"So what? I can't even touch your hand?" he raised an eyebrow, noticing Grandma's curious gaze.

"Yeah," I said, cheeks burning.

"So, your name is Kyle, right?" Grandma laughed suddenly. I didn't know why she found it so funny.

"Yes, it is," Kyle smiled.

"You know, the youngest grandson of my crush is named Kyle too," Grandma chuckled. "But you're much more handsome. His grandson is ugly." She laughed again, making everyone smile.

My grandma was always a riot. The thought of her having a crush cracked me up. I planned to talk to her about it later.

⸻

We finished eating. Mom had baked a cake, and we all enjoyed it together. I felt mostly okay, until Kyle said, "I have to go."

"No!" I blurted out before thinking.

"I mean, you can stay for the night," I added quickly.

"Yes, Kyle," Mom said, smiling warmly. "We really like you. I hope Twy's dad will be here soon to meet the hero who saved his daughter."

"I hope so too," Kyle said softly, locking eyes with me. I could see sadness there, and I bit my lip to hold back the tears. I knew he wouldn't be sleeping beside me anymore. And the thought crushed me. What if I'd never find my parents? What if I'd been stuck with him forever? No, thank God I'm home now.

"I wish you could stay longer," I muttered, walking him to the door.

"I can't believe I won't find you when I wake up," he said, shaking his head. "I won't say goodnight before I sleep. I won't hear your silly ideas and crazy thoughts—"

"You silly," I interrupted, laughing through my tears.

"I want to kiss you hard," he whispered, his voice low and full of longing.

"We don't have that kind of freedom here," I said, shaking my head.

"One day soon, I'll stand right here, in the middle of your home, and kiss you in front of everyone," he promised, pointing around dramatically.

"Never," I teased back.

"I'm going to marry you," he said, winking and touching his middle finger.

"Where will you go now?" I asked, trying to change the subject. I felt shy with my family watching.

"I don't know," he shrugged.

"Go see your family," I suggested, patting his shoulder.

"Yeah," he nodded.

"I'd love it if you come tomorrow," I said quietly. "But I understand if you can't."

Kyle smiled that beautiful smile that always melted me. "I will," he promised.

"Bye, Twy," he said before leaving.

I closed the door and leaned against it. It all felt like a dream.

⸻

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