Page 75

Story: Ill Will

“So, are we talking about that or ...”
“Nope,” I replied. I waved my hands, wishing I was a master of hypnosis. “You never saw my boobs. You’ll never think of it again.”
“You’re going to have to try harder if you want me to forget that.”
“What happened to being respectful?”
He put up his hands. “Sorry, I’ll be respectful now.”
I glared as I grabbed my own cup of coffee.
“By the way, my mom and Isra will be here in fifteen minutes.”
I nearly choked. “What? Why?”
“They’re helping me move in. Neither of them do anything halfway.”
“Why couldn’t you have shitty parent figures like I do? Ones that don’t care.”
“Sorry to disappoint. I think they’re happy that I’m not living alone and ...” He trailed off. “That I have someone now.”
“How mad will they be when this ends?”
“I’m trying not to think about that right now. I’ll cross that bridge when we get to it.”
Guilt that I wasn’t expecting hit me. Isra and Nancy seemed so happy for their son, and this was all a farce. I thought it would be between Levi and me, but this was bringing them into it too.
“I’ll go clear out a part of my closet,” I said. “It’ll look like we prepared.”
I walked away without another word, going to my room and finally pulling out the clothes I’d meant to donate a long time ago. I had a bad habit of letting things sit, but luckily, this was pushing me to make progress.
I heard them walk in only minutes later, and I took my medicine before putting on a newlywed smile.
“Hi, guys!” I said as I saw them. “Come in and—” I paused when I looked out to the driveway. “Is that a moving truck?”
“Of course, we got everything.” Isra said it like it was nothing.
“Notus,”Nancy clarified.“I got some of the boys I work with to do the heavy lifting. Levi can do the rest.”
Isra smiled widely. “And anything ugly can be thrown away.”
“Hey!” Levi moved toward the front door, but Isra held up a hand to stop him.
“You’re not bringing your ugly bachelor pad furniture into this gorgeous house!” she said as she pointed to him.
“Not all of it is ugly. I think most of it would fit in nicely.”
Isra shook her head.
“I’m sure we can put it in storage,” I offered.
“Do you know how long I’ve been waiting for him to find someone with taste? That furniture is gone now.”
I glanced at Levi, who looked resigned. “Fine, we’ll go through it all.”
“Good. Now, is that coffee?”
“Yes, I made plenty. Go ahead.”

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