UNMASKED

#09

As it turned out, Eli didn't get to have a heartfelt talk with his mother for a while. Mostly because she was too busy exchanging embarrassing stories about his childhood with Matthew. Eli couldn't say he was happy about that, but it kept them both busy, so that was something.

And Matthew says I can't look at the bright side, he thought, flipping through the channels while Matthew sat in the kitchen telling his mother about the time Eli was scared by a Halloween decoration. Even though no one would see him, Eli couldn't help but roll his eyes. He hadn't even been that scared.

Still, Eli couldn't deny that it was kind of nice to have his mother around. Despite all the gossiping going on between her and Matthew. He was almost sad to know she'd be leaving soon.

Eli was just thinking about how maybe he should try to call her more often, when Matthew walked in from the kitchen, interrupting the redhead's thoughts.

"I'm going to pick up some stuff for dinner," he said, pulling on a jacket.

"And by some stuff do you mean healthy stuff or good stuff?"

"Healthy stuff can be good too." Eli scoffed at that. Clearly, Matthew was wrong, but he didn't feel like arguing. Matthew just rolled his eyes, but seemed amused. "Right, then I'll be back soon."

He pressed a kiss to Eli's cheek and was gone a moment later. Eli was, for once, left alone with his mother. Of course, his mother took advantage of that and took a seat on the couch next to Eli almost as soon as Matthew was gone.

"Hey, Ma," Eli said, trying to focus on the tv even though there was nothing good on. Except for trashy daytime shows, but he didn't want to end up addicted to those like Michael. "So, have you started packing to head back?" he asked, knowing she was terrible when it came to procrastinating. It was one trait he'd inherited from her.

"You make it sound like you want me gone," she said, and almost sounded offended.

"I mean, you can stay, but it'll be just you and the cat when I go back to school. Oh and Matthew. But he sleeps most of the day," he pointed out.

"That can't be healthy."

"Probably not." Then again, most of the things Matthew did weren't healthy. "So, you and Matthew seem to get along."

"Well of course, he's really sweet." Eli gave her a look that told her he didn't believe that was the only reason. "What? Can't I like the person you're dating."

Eli refrained from saying he just didn't expect her to like the guy he was dating. She probably got the message anyway if the sigh that came from her was anything to go by.

"I'm just glad you've found someone who makes you happy," she said after a second. "And it's also really nice to know someone's looking out for you. That's all I could ever want, and as long as you're happy, I'm happy."

Eli stared at her for a moment, trying to find any trace of a lie, but could only see how much she meant it all. Something inside him seemed to warm at the thought and Eli couldn't deny that—as much as he'd told himself it didn't matter what his mother thought—it was still nice to know she was on his side.

"I mean, he's kind of an idiot," he said jokingly.

"Honey, all men are idiots. Including you." Eli couldn't really deny that. "I'm just glad you didn't inherit my terrible taste in men."

Honestly, that nearly made Eli cackle because, if only his mother knew. Sure, Matthew seemed normal enough. That still didn't mean he wasn't positively insane. Eli figured it would be best not to let his mother know just how wrong she was.