Discovering Delilah (Harborside Nights, Book 2) (20 page)

“Aw, Ash. That makes me feel really special.”

“Well, duh. You are really special.” She reaches for my hand. “But if it makes you uncomfortable, I can sleep in my dad’s office. The couch pulls out to a bed.”

“No.” I shake my head and squeeze
her hand to borrow some of her strength. “I’m okay. I don’t want to hide from your parents. They’re obviously not like my parents, and they seem supportive of you. Of us. What about Kenny?”

“My mom and I already discussed Kenny.”

I cover my face with my hands. “Oh my God. Really?”

“Yes, really.” She pulls my hands down. “He probably won’t notice, or he’ll just think we’re having a
sleepover.  My mom doesn’t think it’s an issue at all.”

“Okay, but I’m not fooling around with your parents right upstairs.”

She rolls her eyes. “Whatever floats your boat, but you know you can’t keep your hands off of this...” She stands up, holds her hands above her head, and sways her hips seductively, then laughs.

I don’t laugh, because she’s got that right.

~Ashley~

I THINK IT’S safe to say that my family is the best around, even Kenny and his boisterous personality and unfiltered comments. We’re almost done with dinner and my mom and dad have both acted as if nothing out of the ordinary is happening at our dinner table, when in fact it’s the first and only time I’ve had a girlfriend over. Delilah has laughed and smiled
and talked like she’s hanging out with old friends, and that’s more than I could have hoped for.

“Dinner was wonderful, Mrs. Carver. Thank you.”

Mom waves again. “It was nothing, but thank you. I’m glad you liked it.”

“Are you guys going out with Bolton tonight? He said you might go. Carly’s going, too. I love Carly. She’s so funny with all that hair. She looks like Carrothead.” Kenny
stops only to inhale, and I cut him off.

“Carrot Top, and how do you even know Carrot Top?” I ask.

“The Internet. Duh.” He wipes his face on his sleeve.

“Napkin,” Mom reminds him.

“Why? I just wiped my mouth. Can I be excused?” He’s up on his feet before she can answer.

“You have twenty minutes before your dress rehearsal,” she calls after him as he heads for the stairs. “Brush
your teeth and hair and wash your hands, please.”  She turns her attention back to us. “Are you going out with Bolton? It’ll be nice to see your friends again.”

I glance at Delilah to see if she’s changed her mind and she nods, smiles.

“Yeah, I guess we are.” I say it like it’s no big deal, but it’s another
very
big deal.

Mom reaches her hand toward Delilah and presses it to the table
beside Delilah’s.

“Delilah, honey. Ashley told us about your parents. I’m so very sorry, and I just want you to know, I’m here.” She looks up at Dad, then back at Delilah. “We’re here. If you and—your brother, right? Wyatt?” She doesn’t wait for her to answer, and I’m not sure Delilah could respond if she wanted to. She looks like her throat has thickened. She’s swallowing hard, over and over.
“If you need anything at all, just let us know. Or if you want to talk. I’m a great listener.”

“Thank you.” Delilah reaches for my hand under the table.

She laces our fingers together, and when she shifts her eyes to mine, they’re damp, but her lips curve into a slight smile. I’m sure she’s missing her mom.

We help my mom clear the table, and I pull Delilah aside and ask again if she’s
okay.

“Yeah. Your mom is so sweet.”

Mom comes out of the kitchen to retrieve more dishes, and Delilah carries the glasses in behind her. My father pulls me aside while they’re in the kitchen.

“She seems really lovely, pumpkin, and she looks at you like you’re heaven and earth combined.” He hugs me close.

I love that he can see the way she always makes me feel. I pick up a few plates
and carry them into the kitchen, stopping at the entranceway when I hear Delilah thanking my mother.

“I really appreciate what you said.”

“Oh, sweetheart. I meant it.” My mother wipes her hands on a towel and turns, leaning her hip against the sink so she can face Delilah. “You don’t have to worry about anything while you’re here with us. You two seem happy together, and we couldn’t ask
for anything more.” She pulls Delilah into a hug and spots me standing in the doorway, and smiles.

I set the dishes on the counter and Delilah reaches for my hand.

Reaches.

For.

My.

Hand.

Wow
.

Mom looks at the clock. “Oh dear. We have to take Kenny or he’ll be late for his rehearsal. Ash, you have your key to get in tonight?”

“Yeah.”

“Okay.” She hugs me, then
hugs Delilah like it’s the most natural thing in the world. “I’m so glad you’re both here, but I’ve got to scoot.” She calls for Kenny and my dad as she leaves the kitchen.

Delilah’s face lights up with excitement. “I love your mom. She’s so…real!” Her entire demeanor has changed. She’s as relaxed as she is in her house at Harborside.

“I know. I’m lucky, aren’t I?”

“Your dad, too.
He’s like a big teddy bear.”

“He pretty much raved about you, too.” I step closer, expecting her to step back, and when she doesn’t, I reach up and tuck a wayward strand of hair behind her ear.

“He did?” I can hear the appreciation in her voice.

“Yes, he did. I’m glad you came with me. I know it’s not easy, and I know how difficult tonight will be for you, so I just want you to know
that I appreciate it. All of it. I appreciate you.”

She touches her forehead to mine but doesn’t say a word. She doesn’t have to. Just like my dad saw her emotions, I feel them in everything she does.

~Delilah~

MARCO’S IS NOTHING like any club I’ve ever been to. It’s located in a warehouse, with a concrete floor and enormous screens hanging from the ceiling showing the band. There are no booths or other places to sit, only tall round-topped tables for setting drinks on while standing. Colorful spotlights illuminate the dance floor, which is basically the entire
center of the warehouse. We’re standing at one of the round tables, and it’s so loud that it drowns out my nervousness.

I offered to be the designated driver, primarily so that it would be easier for me to keep from dragging Ashley into the bathroom to make out, although I think my wanting to kiss her has less to do with alcohol and everything to do with Ashley. The way her eyes get dark and
sensual when she looks at me and the way she checks on me, brushes her hand against my lower back, whispers in my ear.

Everything
about her makes me want to be closer, even in public.

Bolton leans between us. “You guys want a drink?” He’s wearing a navy T-shirt that clings to his muscular pecs and a pair of low-slung jeans. I’ve noticed several girls checking him out.

“I’m good, thanks,”
I answer.

“Just a soda for me,” Ashley says.

“You can drink, Ash. I’m driving.”

“Nah. I don’t really want to.” She moves closer to me as her friend Carly squeezes between her and Bolton.

Kenny was right. Carly’s hair is similar to Carrot Top’s. It’s darker red, with corkscrew curls that spring out in every direction. It’s cut above her shoulders and bounces as she sways to the
music. Ashley and I ended up wearing miniskirts and blousy tanks, and I guess it was the right choice, because Carly’s wearing a minidress. She didn’t blink an eye when Ashley introduced me as her girlfriend—Ash had asked me on the way over if it was okay to do so. Ashley is being so careful to ensure that I’m comfortable. I feel ashamed about feeling funny about us in public. Ashley says she understands,
but Janessa’s advice continually sails through my mind, so I’m trying hard to push past my own insecurities.

“I’ll take whatever you’re having, Bolt,” Carly says.

“Cool. Be right back.”

We watch as Bolton moves through the crowd toward the bar along the far wall. Girls turn and watch him from behind as he walks past, and he seems like he doesn’t even notice, just continues his beeline
toward the bar.

“How long have you guys been dating?” Carly asks.

“Not long,” Ash says.

“But we’ve known each other two months, so it feels longer,” I add, and hook one finger with Ashley’s. She smiles up at me. I love that my touch means so much to her.

“You seem like you’ve been dating a really long time. Come on. Let’s dance.” She grabs our hands and pulls us into the crowd.

Ashley dances close to me, although it’s too crowded to put any real space between us. Carly’s a good dancer and makes us laugh when she does funky moves. When the music slows, Carly puts a hand on each of our shoulders and turns us toward each other.

“Okay, lover girls. Your turn. I’m outta here.” Carly walks off the dance floor, and for a second Ash and I stare at each other.

Ashley’s
hair frames her face. Her head’s tilted gently to the side, and she arches a brow. I can’t stop myself from glancing around the dance floor. No one is paying any attention to us, and somewhere in my head I hear myself whisper,
And so what if they were?

I step closer and place her hand on my hip. Then I wrap my arms around her neck and rest my head on her shoulder. I feel her heartbeat speed
up as we begin to move in perfect rhythm. I close my eyes, trying to ignore the nerves prickling along my skin. Getting lost in Ashley is easy, but pushing away the look in my parents’ eyes when I told them I was a lesbian isn’t. But I’m still trying.

I try.

And try.

And try.

And little by little, as Ashley’s perfume fills my senses and the chatter of the other people on the dance
floor fades away, I sink into the moment. There’s only me and Ash. Her hands on my back, holding me close, her heart beating strong and stable against mine. When the song picks up its beat again, Ashley keeps me close.

“Just for another second? Please?” she asks.

I tighten my grip around her neck. One day this will be old hat to us. One day she’ll be able to take my hand and walk out on
a dance floor without encountering my hesitation. But right this second, I’m thankful for this brief respite from the discomfort that’s been tethering my heart for so many years.

An hour or so later we all pile into my Jeep, Ashley in the passenger seat, Bolton and Carly in the back. Carly sits pressed against Bolton’s side, tucked beneath his arm. She’s got a drunken smile on her lips, and
if I didn’t know they weren’t dating, I’d wonder, because of the way Bolton holds her protectively and rests his cheek on the top of her head.

“You okay, Car?” he asks.

She nods. “I had a great time. Ash, I wish you came home more often.”

Ashley turns in her seat so she can see Carly. “Maybe we’ll try to.”

We’ll.
She says it so easily and with such confidence, like we’re a given,
that the word wraps around me like an embrace.

When we reach Ashley’s house, Bolton hugs us both. “See you guys at the play tomorrow?”

“Definitely,” Ashley answers. “Thanks for the invite tonight.”

“Are you kidding? It’s great to see you.” He hugs her again. “And, Dee, I hope you had a good time.”

“I did. I had a great time, thanks.” I watch him walk down to his house, and when
Ashley reaches for my hand, I don’t do a quick sweep of the area. I take it and hold on tight. “I love your friends.”

“I’m glad. They’re all pretty cool,” she says as we walk up the front steps.

“Bolton reminds me of Wyatt. He even called me Dee.”

“I call you Dee sometimes.” She unlocks the door and pushes it open.

“But you’re my girlfriend. Almost everyone else calls me Delilah
except Wyatt.” We walk inside and take off our shoes as quietly as we can.

“Let’s get some ice water before we go downstairs.” Ash takes my hand again. We walk into the kitchen, where we find a note from her mom and a bottle of Motrin.

Girls, drink lots of water and take two of these if you drank too much. Kenny will be up early! Xo, Mom.

“Your mom is the best.”

“Do you miss your
mom?” Ashley fills a glass of ice water and sets it on the table.

“Yeah, but she wasn’t accepting like your mom, so I know it could never have been like this at my house. But I still miss her.”

She takes me in her arms and kisses me lightly. “I’m sorry, Dee,” she whispers.

“I thought I heard you come in.” Her mother comes into the kitchen wearing a short robe, tied at the waist, and
slippers.

I step out of Ashley’s arms and mumble an apology.

Her mother laughs, a softer version of Ashley’s sweet laugh. “Oh, sweetheart. Are you kidding? You’re sorry for showing affection to my daughter? Please.” She swats at the air. “I’d be more worried if you didn’t.”

“You’re not bothered by us? Not at all?” I don’t know where the courage to ask this comes from, but as she fills
a glass with juice, then settles into a seat at the table, I’m not embarrassed to ask.

She pulls out the chair beside her and pats it. I sit, and Ashley sits on my other side.

“Delilah, I’m sure there are lots of people who will look at you girls sideways, just as there are still people out there who take issue with interracial relationships. I can’t change them.” She presses her lips
into a firm line. “I wish I could, but…well…I can’t. But as far as Ash’s father and I are concerned, if you’re lucky enough to experience love in this mixed-up world, then you’re lucky. Ashley’s the same person as the little girl I held in my arms and nursed. The same girl who was Annie in the spring play in elementary school and drew a beach on her walls using markers when she was Kenny’s age. All
I’ve ever wanted was for my baby to be happy. You make her happy, and that’s good enough for me.”

She leans forward and takes me in her arms as tears fall down my cheeks. I’m not sure why I’m crying, if it’s because I envy Ashley for her mother’s support, or I miss my mom, or if I’m just so thankful to be accepted that it pulls me under. Or maybe I’m crying because finally—
God, finally
—I can
breathe without the weight of my parents’ stare hovering over me. If even for a few seconds.