Not Even Close (A New Generation) by Elizabeth Reyes (books to read in a lifetime txt) 📗

he didn’t want tointerrupt. He put the tray down with the plate of food, napkins, and utensilsover her upper thighs and pecked her before starting to walk away again butpaused when his eyes met hers in question. Vannah made a show of yawning big toexplain her glistening eyes. She smiled when he nodded as if understanding andstarted away again.

Vannah covered her mouth feeling a little guilty, though itdidn’t muffle her soft bemused laughter as she took in her breakfast. “He justbrought me breakfast in bed,” she whispered with a smile as soon as he was outof the room, looking down at her perfectly plated breakfast. “French toast,sausage and coffee.” Breathing in deeply and sucking it in because she wasterrified now of allowing her heart to get too excited so soon all over again.She was just glad this was her mom on the phone with her because even this madeher feel so weak. “Mom, he’s so perfect.”

Her mother chuckled but then huffed. “They can be, even when theydon’t know it.” Vannah shook her head not understanding but before she couldask, her mother went on. “Listen to me, Savannah. If you really believe he’sgenuinely into you and trust me a mother knows and this boy has it bad, youneed to be honest. Spare yourself all the unnecessary tears and sleeplessnights and just tell him.”

“Well, we did talk last night.” Vannah picked up a sausage withher fork but lowered her voice. “I mean after what happened at the gym, he wantedto make sure we got it straight, that while he knows I have every intention offocusing on school and hadn’t anticipated getting into any kind of serious relationship,that what we’re doing still be exclusive.”

“And exactly what is it you’re doing?”

Vannah thought about it chewing her sausage as she stretched herneck and listened to see if Byron was anywhere nearby. Though she got the feelinghe’d continue giving her, her privacy until he knew she was off the phone. “Hecalled it having fun. But only because of how I explained to daddy whenhe asked about what happened to me not wanting anything to derail my focus onschool.”

“Yeah, about that.” Her mom huffed, or was she chuckling underher breath? “I get that he was nervous and rightfully so. I’m sure the lastthing he expected to be doing yesterday was having dinner with your parents.Especially not sitting next to your father of all fathers.” This time Vannahwas sure of it. Her mother was laughing at poor Byron’s expense. Still Vannahcouldn’t help but laugh softly even as she continued to chew her breakfast.“But I watched and observed him closely the entire dinner, Savannah. He wastense for sure from the moment you guys arrived but there was no mistaking thechange in demeanor after you told your father your plans were to enjoy yourcollege years.”

Vannah swallowed her food and quickly wiped her mouth. “What do youmean?”

“Let me put it to you this way, honey.” Her mom chuckled againbut this time Vannah’s insides were a hot mess. “That boy was not happywith your explanation of what you two are doing. You basically lumpedhim in as a part of your plan to just enjoy your college years. It’s why Icalled you first thing this morning. I was curious if the subject had beenbrought up again. Obviously, it was.”

Thinking about it for a moment, Vannah felt her eyes open wideand she lowered her voice again. “It was one of the first things we discussedin the car before we even got back to his place.” She shook her head rollingher eyes. “Second only to daddy threatening to hurt him if he hurt me.”

“Did he?” Her mother’s chuckling mood took a sudden shift andthis time there was no mistaking the irritated huff. “I asked your father pointblank if he’d threatened that boy. I should’ve known when he waved me off, theninstantly turned the subject on Sienna to ask why Byron would get so fired upabout thinking he’d seen you having a taco with another guy.”

Nearly spitting up her coffee, Vannah covered her mouth with hernapkin then wiped away the dribble. “What did she say?”

“Of course she told him she had no idea, and that Byronwas clearly just an intense guy. But I cornered your sister later and made herspill it.”

Vannah’s father’s voice in the background interrupted theirconversation. She sat and listened smiling as her mom verbally walked him throughall the places his running shoes might be.

With another huff her mom was on the phone again. “I guess we’retaking a morning hike. So, I have to go now but I just wanted to make sure totell you, this guy ain’t playing, Savannah. From what little you’ve told meabout him so far, and what I observed, biggest difference between him and yourdad is that at least in your case you’re not dealing with a man whose prideoutweighs him. If he’s already wanting to get things straight, be honest withyour feelings too. Talk. Trust me, baby girl. It’ll spare you so muchheartache. And I’ve already seen it in your face, heard it in your voice,sweetheart. You have it bad too.”

Feeling choked up, yet again, Vannah smiled. “I will.

“Good.” Her mom groaned when her dads voice bellowed in thebackground asking about where his basketball shorts or something or other was.“I love you, but I gotta go.”

Vannah snivel laughed. “I love you too, mom.”

As soon as she hung up, she moved her empty plate and cup to the nightstandand got out of bed. She rushed to the bathroom to rinse her mouth out with hismouthwash then rushed into the other room.

Her hurrying was slowed abruptly as she heard Byron’s hushedvoice. She couldn’t make out much of what he said but clearly, he was irritated,and she thought she may’ve even heard him cuss. She took a few more stepstowards the kitchen then felt bad. He’d given her privacy, she should returnthe favor, so she turned around and started back into the bedroom until sheheard his next louder more distinct response.

“Because I don’t need your fucking drama showing up again whenshe’s still