18. Ford

Chapter 18

Ford

J acob and I sit on the edge of my bed as we listen to Kitty relay the conversation with her mother. What a fucking bitch! She hasn't told us about her talk with Matthew, other than to let us know she'd be staying with him. That's good. They need this time to get to know each other. When we get to CSU, we'll need the same thing, some bro bonding. The three of us need to sit and talk about what we need from each other in this new relationship that is building with Dylan.

"Do you think you can get my stuff for me? I still have some birthday money I can send so you can get a storage unit until I'm able to get it." The defeat and hurt in her voice seeps through. She loves her mother, just not how she's acting. Not having her father, and now her mother, in her life is taking a toll, and I'm just thankful Matthew is there to help her. Both of her parents need a damn reality check.

"You're not sending anything, Pickle. You're our girl and we'll handle everything," Jacob blurts, scooting closer to me.

"Don't you need some of it, though? Do you have enough clothes and all that girly stuff, Kitty?" I ask, wanting to make sure she has the things she wants and needs while she's there.

I can hear her sigh through the phone, a slight catch in her breath.

She's trying to be strong, but that's not necessary with us. "Let's make a game plan. Do you want your furniture or are you leaving it? That will tell us a lot," Jacob interjects. Good thing one of us has our head on right. All I can focus on is that my girl's broken and I'm not there to comfort her, to tell her it's going to be okay as I cradle her against me.

"I doubt my mom is going to let me take it. I'll be lucky if she even lets you get my stuff. That's why I'm going to message Gideon and let him know you're coming. If one of them is going to let me get my shit, it would be him."

I nod my head in agreement, knowing she can't see it. She says something, but it's mumbled, barely distinguishable, almost like she's placing her hand over her phone. She must be talking to Matthew. I glance over at Jacob, but there's no reaction. For once, he doesn't seem upset. Maybe he has truly turned over a leaf when it comes to all topics relating to Matthew.

She turns her attention back to us. "Um, Matthew is messaging his dad and letting him know you're coming. Do you have an idea when?"

"We can do it whenever you need us to. We can go now if you want. I can start looking for a place to stay out there so we can live together. I know that the two of you will get dorms as part of your scholarship, but I'd rather have a place where we can all be together without worrying about roommates and other stupid bullshit."

"That's too much money. Matthew said I can live here until school starts, and the rest we can figure out between ourselves."

I love how she's thinking of the costs. But what she doesn't know is that I already had a plan in place before shit went to hell in a handbasket with her parents. My parents have a ton of rental properties and one just so happens to be in the same town as CSU and it is currently empty.

"Don't worry about how much it'll cost. We know Matthew is being amazing and cool, letting you stay there with him, but when school starts, it could pose a problem."

Matthew's voice raises before it goes low, and I know that Dylan must have taken the phone off speaker.

I guess what I said could've come off as I was upset or not happy that she was staying with him, which is not the case at all. Hell, I've been pro-Matthew since the first time I caught him spying on us in the hot tub. I knew then he was attracted to her, even if he was trying to fight it.

"What I said didn't come out the way I meant it. Can you put us back on speaker, Kitty?"

"Yeah," she answers, and I can hear some shuffling. "You're back on speaker."

"Matthew, I'm all for Kitty staying with you and appreciate everything you've done for us and I didn't mean for it to sound like I'm trying to start any arguments or have any animosity toward you. It's just I'm a realist and I know there will be people who will question students living with you and our relationship. I—"

"We," Jacob interjects.

"We." I clear my throat. "Well, we just didn't want to add any drama to your plate. This is a new job and position and we want it to go smoothly for you. Jacob and I both figured and agreed that once people become accustomed to our relationship it won't be an issue."

I pause when Matthew clears his throat.

"That's considerate of the two of you, but I am a grown man and can handle the accusations." Matthew's voice is cool and collected.

"Are we just getting your personal belongings, or are we getting the furniture, too?" Jacob asks, changing the subject.

"The sky's the limit since we're renting a U-Haul," I add.

"Just my stuff. Let my mom keep everything else. It would just be a reminder of my parents and I'm ready to start fresh, the four of us."

I couldn't be happier with her words. We talk for a little longer, just shooting the shit, making plans for when Jacob and I get there before ending the call.

"Let's go get a burger, then we can go by the store and get some boxes and tape." Jacob stands, crossing the room to the door.

I sit there, thinking about how much things have changed since Dylan walked into my life. It's been a whirlwind and I can't imagine how things would be if she hadn't moved here. So, no matter how much of a bitch her mother is, at least I can thank her for that.

"Ford, come on man, I'm starving!" Jacob shouts from the hallway.

Laughing, I follow him, stopping long enough to get my keys off my desk.