Page 27 of Devious Love

Dad and I talk for a few more minutes, and when we end the call, I can’t help but smile, even if I already miss him like crazy. But the opportunity in Milan is huge, and when he mentioned it, I immediately told him I wouldn’t mind moving back to Monterey.

Even though it’ll be an adjustment living with my mom again, I think it’ll all be alright.

Fingers crossed.

As the taxi drives away,my knees wobble. It has very little to do with how heavy my backpack is and everything to do with the house I stand in front of, the one I left four years and nine months ago and haven’t visited since. Even when I flew in unannounced last year, I didn’t set foot in this house.

I sound like an asshole saying that, but I wanted to keep my distance.

For the last five years, Matt has flown to Phoenix for holidays and during the summer. Mom and Allan visited about once a year, staying for several weeks at a time. It mostly annoyed me. When they were in town, I went from having one pretty chill parent in my business to three, one of whom went overboard, like she was trying to make up for the eleven months a yearwe didn’t see each other by sticking to me like glue for the one month we did.

Dad loved it when they visited. It gave him and Allan time to rebuild their relationship, and now, they’re best friends again.

Mom and Dad? Over the years, the tension between them has eased but not completely. She’s still really hurt I “chose Dad over her,” and she’s spent the last four years trying to convince everyone, including herself, that Dad guilted me into moving in with him.

She’s way off base, and we all know it, but Mom will always be Mom.

I’d love to say I haven’t seen Dominic in four years and nine months, but I prefer not to lie. Though, in the last year, lying has become very important for my survival. If he knew we met less than ten months ago, or exactlyhowwe met, he would be furious.

It’s a secret I plan to take to my grave.

Huffing and puffing, I climb the stairs of the porch. I set my suitcase by the door and ring the doorbell with my lip trapped between my teeth.

When there’s no commotion on the other side of the door, I step back and peer into the window. The curtains are closed, making it impossible to see anything. They should be home. It’s eleven a.m. on a Saturday, for fuck’s sake.

When five minutes go by, and I’m still standing out here with my luggage, I realize my dad was right. When it comes to my family, surprises aren’t a good idea.

I drop my backpack onto the porch and pull my phone out of my bag.

Matt answers on the second ring, and the line is instantly filled with laughter and chatter. “Hey. What’s up?”

“Hi,” I reply slowly. “Where are you?”

“In Vegas.”

My shoulders sink. Just my luck, I guess.

“Really? You didn’t mention it when we talked the other day.”

“Allan needed someone to deliver a car to a client, so he asked Dom and me for a favor. We got in last night and decided we’d spend a day here before coming home.”

I ease myself onto the top step and rest my chin in my hand. “When will you be back in Monterey?”

“Tomorrow. Figured I’d have a little fun before my internship started.” He clears his throat. “Why are you asking? You’ll be in town on Wednesday, right?”

Tears prick the backs of my eyes. “I’m here.”

The line between us gets muffled, and there’s a rustling noise. “Youwhat? You were supposed to fly home next week!” he yells. “If you’d told me you were coming early, I would’ve headed home right after we dropped off the car.”

Eyes closed, I rub my forehead. “I wanted it to be a surprise.”

He groans. “Fuck. I don’t know what to say.”

“It’s okay. I’ll call Mom.”

“She and Allan are in Tahoe.”

My vision goes blurry with tears. Dammit.