35. Dex

35

DEX

I'm with my boyfriend—damn, that's heady to say—and we're on our way to meet our friends at Shenanigans. Milo has already pounded on the door twice, and we've ignored him until he called out, "We're leaving!"

We've been holed up in one of our rooms for the past couple of days, just getting used to the idea that we're allowed to touch and kiss each other freely.

But also reassuring each other that our friendship is still intact and promising to keep it that way. It's overwhelming to consider the alternative, especially since everything feels so right.

The weather is amazing, and the pier is crowded near the entrance. That's when my phone rings.

"It's my mom," I tell Austin as we stop right outside of Shenanigans. I answer her video call. "Mom, I'm about to go into a bar. I'm with Austin, and we're gonna do some karaoke."

"Save me," Austin calls to her with a laugh.

"You boys are too cute," she coos like she always does. "You should have a marriage pact or something."

"What's that?" I ask as Austin smirks, likely knowing what Mom is talking about.

"Like from the movies," Mom says. I must look confused because she explains, "It's when two people agree to get married if they're both still single by a certain age."

"Seriously? That's ridiculous," I reply, and Austin rolls his eyes. That's definitely something up for discussion in our future, but one day at a time. I don't want him to think I'm gun-shy because of my mom, though. It's just not anything I've ever considered for myself. But I never considered a boyfriend either, and look at me now.

"That's also a popular trope in romance novels," Austin points out.

"I wish real-life romance were that easy," Mom muses. "Which…is the reason I called."

I give Austin a look because I know where this conversation is headed, and there's no chance in hell I want to hash it out now. "If you're going to tell me you're dating your boss and that he promised to leave his wife, I don't think I can stomach it."

"You're right," Mom says in a meek voice. "You've told me over and over again that I'm going about this dating thing all wrong and that I need to listen to my gut. I try to listen to it, but my heart keeps getting in the way, hoping this time it'll be different."

My frustration is only tempered by that optimistic lilt I've heard one too many times. And it always gets me, her blind trust that someone will finally stick around. Even though she's looking at it all backward.

"So I was right. You are dating your boss." When Austin gives me a warning look that I'm on the verge of being too harsh again, I soften my tone. "I hope it works out for you, Mom. I really do. But I just can't do this anymore. I can't stand by and listen to you choose people for all the wrong reasons."

"I know, baby. I was ignoring my gut again, so this time, I decided to take my son's advice."

"What advice?" I start pacing.

"You said that the next time my boss hits on me, I should tell him it's inappropriate and that he needs to stop." She takes a breath. "So I did."

"Holy shit, Mom!" I stop in my tracks and level a look at Austin. "That's great. So what happened?"

"Did he respect the boundaries you set?" Austin asks as he throws me the fingers-crossed sign.

She sighs. "No, he didn't, and that time, I did listen to my gut."

"You did?"

"Uh-huh. I told him I would have to complain if he continued."

"That was very brave of you." My eyes start burning, suddenly emotional.

"Did he continue?" Austin asks.

She nods, and I can see the anger in her eyes. "I met with human resources about it."

"I'm so proud of you. What happens next?"

"I'm not sure, but my boss caught wind of it and accused me of making it all up. Called me a whore."

"No fucking way! The creep!"

"Mom, are you worried about?—"

"A coworker overheard the conversation and afterward told me he'd hit on her too. And that she knows others who've also been harassed by him. And then they talked to human resources too."

"Holy crap!" My heart is ramming against my chest. "I'm so glad others came forward."

"Me too." Mom looks a bit wary. "Yesterday, he was placed on suspension while the company investigates."

"God, I'm so relieved. I was afraid you were going to have to continue working with him."

"I'm honestly not sure if I would've. This has really opened my eyes." She gives a sad smile. "I've learned there's safety in numbers. I met my coworkers for dinner, and we discussed sticking together. I've never had that before with other women. Almost like a sisterhood."

Austin's eyes meet mine, and I can see how pleased he is that the conversation has taken such an important turn. It's what I've always wanted for Mom.

"I know I just said it, but I'll say it again. I'm so proud of you!"

"That means everything to me." Mom swipes at her eyes. "I want my son to look up to me as a good example, not a bad one. I don't want you to avoid relationships like you've been doing. I know that's because of your father abandoning us and watching me struggle through all my bad choices."

"All right, who kidnapped my mom and put this person in her place?" I say to lighten the mood, and she laughs.

"I feel better than I have in years. Maybe even the best I have," she replies, and she even looks the part as she straightens herself in the frame of the screen. "Through these other women's stories, I'm learning about my boundaries. That I invite people to treat me a certain way because I don't set any."

Austin is rubbing my shoulders because I'm getting emotional again.

"We're so happy for you," Austin says when I have trouble forming words.

When I finally get myself together, I meet my mom's eyes. Her cheeks are red and stained with tears. "Thanks for calling and telling me all this."

"Except I might've spoiled your plans again."

"You didn't, but even if you had, this would've been worth it."

Austin grips my hand and nods.

"The thing is, you're right about me avoiding relationships and not putting myself out there. I've been ignoring some signs myself."

Mom's eyebrows draw together. "What do you mean?"

"Well, for example…I've been pretending I'm not madly in love with my best friend."

"Austin?" Mom squeals.

I nod, feeling choked up as Austin kisses my cheek and says, "And I've been in love with Dex. We're all a hot mess."

Mom's eyes soften. "So you two are officially dating?"

"We are," I say proudly. "And I'm terrified but also so happy. The best part is that I still get to keep my best friend in the process."

Mom claps and grins. "I'm thrilled for the two of you! Do your parents know yet, Austin?"

Austin's face is flushed, which means he's slightly embarrassed but also relieved. And that makes my heart balloon.

"I texted my parents last night, and they're happy for us too."

They also told us they're not surprised.

"Guess we're both lucky to have such supportive parents," I tell Mom, and her smile says it all.

"You boys be good to each other."

Once the call ends, we get in line for the bouncer at Shenanigans. That gives us enough time to process everything Mom told us.

Austin reaches for my hand and entangles our fingers. "I'm so thrilled your mom made those choices."

"Me too." Part of me wonders if Mom's newfound outlook on relationships will last, but at least it's a step in the right direction. And one she's never taken before—at least not that I've heard of. If she continues to surround herself with supportive coworkers and friends, she just might buckle down and work on herself for a change. I was going to recommend she see a therapist too, but that's a discussion for another day.

"I'm proud of you too, you know," Austin says close to my ear.

"For what?"

"For setting boundaries with your mom. That must be hard."

"It is." Whether or not I'll stick to them remains to be seen. Had the conversation not taken the turn it did, I might be feeling pretty glum right now. "But I feel so much lighter. Maybe the two of us can work on our relationship too."

"So that you're not always in the parent role?" Austin asks, and I stifle a gasp, not having realized he was aware I felt that way.

"Yeah." I blow out a breath.

"It's time to let someone take care of you for a change."

"Oh yeah? How exactly do you plan to take care of me?" I ask in a flirty voice.

"Guess you'll have to wait and see." Austin winks, and I admit I like this confident side of him. The introverted side too. I wouldn't have it any other way.

When we get inside and head toward the stage, Kael flags us over. "It's about time the two of you got here."

Milo smirks and throws us a knowing glance.

"Bruh, why do I have a feeling you two have been ragging on us this whole time?"

"Guess you need to get here on time to know for sure," Kael teases. "Better hurry and sign up before the list fills up."

I find Austin's ear. "You don't have to join me tonight if you don't want. I know how much socializing takes out of you. I'm just happy to be out with you and, later, go home with you."

"Damn, you're good to me." He pecks my lips. "I'm willing to do one song, and this time, I'm gonna choose it."

I smile as I watch him go off to sign us up and select the music. I'm going to guess that this time, we're not going to struggle through an Adele song.

We chat with Milo and Craig for a while and make fun of Carson pretending to look cool on an air guitar next to the girl he brought along on a karaoke date. She's laughing instead of rolling her eyes, so I guess that's a good sign.

We cheer loudly and act like idiots when Kael and Angelica take their turn, and then we're on deck. I'm suddenly nervous, wondering what Austin chose. Hopefully, it's not some sappy ballad they play at wedding receptions. One I've heard way too many times. If Austin and I ever get married, I will veto the kind of reception I'm stuck working.

To my utter surprise, Austin chose something upbeat but totally cheesy. It's a 90s hip-hop song by the Kris Kross duo.

"Now you're just fucking with me."

Austin cracks up. "I thought you liked this song when we were kids."

"Screw you," I reply, and then the song starts, and we're trying hard to keep up with the lyrics, which are fucking difficult to sing, other than the refrain. Everyone knows the "Jump" song, though, so it could be worse.

Austin really gets into it, and pretty soon, the whole bar is jumping up and down with us as we belt out the song at the top of our lungs.

After the song ends, I throw my arms around him from behind. "Thank you."

He grips my biceps. "For what?"

"For making it fun, even if it was cringe."

When we get back to our friends, Austin is still winded from our performance. "I'm gonna grab a water. Want some?"

"No, I'm good. I'm gonna watch Milo and Ian make fools of themselves."

He wanders off while Kael, Angelica, and I crack over their squeaky lyrics.

When two more acts finish, I realize Austin never returned with his water. Maybe he ran into someone at the bar. Likely Darren and his boyfriend since we saw them when we first arrived. I go on the hunt for him anyway because, suddenly, a mocktail of some sort sounds refreshing.

That's when I see Austin in the corner, sitting on a stool. He has his phone out on the bar top, and he's looking down at the screen. He's so intent on whatever he's doing that he doesn't hear me when I call his name and slide in behind him.

I laugh and kiss his head. "Jesus Christ, you're reading a book in the middle of a bar."

He seems nonplussed as he glances at me over his shoulder. "Well, since my time has been occupied with being naked the last couple of days, I've been neglecting my book. It's the final chapter, and I'm dying to know what happens."

"Sorry I bothered you," I tease, throwing up my hands. "Is the book about a marriage pact?"

"Huh?" When my question dawns on him, he smiles. "No, best friends to lovers."

"That's even better."

"Uh-huh, I need Amanda and Steve to get their happily ever after too."

My heart skips a beat as our eyes connect and hold.

" I love you, " I mouth to him.

" Love you too, " he mouths back.

I lean over and peck his lips. "Never change, Austin Reid."

His eyes soften briefly before the book competes for his attention again.