Since 1998

Chapter 17

Devin paced his room, his stomach in knots. It had been hours since he’d dropped Allison off, and the silence from her end was deafening.

Every time his phone screen stayed dark, the worry spiked. Finally, he couldn't take it anymore and sent one more text.

Devin: Hey, why aren't you texting me back? Are you busy?

Allison stared at the glowing words. Her chest still felt tight from his "hard pass" at the beach. Loving a boy who didn't seem to see what was right in front of him, yet seeing his name haunt her notifications.

Her fingers hovered over the glass before she finally typed back.

Allison: No. Just taking a nap.

The reply was instantaneous, like he’d been holding his breath with the phone clutched in his hand.

Devin: Sam wants you and Anna to join us for a family dinner at their place.

Allison leaned her head back and sighed.

Allison: Sure. Anna and I will be there.

The next day, the Cook house was in total chaos. It felt less like a home and more like a high end restaurant at rush hour.

Sam stood in the middle of the kitchen, stifling a yawn while his mother, Eleanor, moved like a whirlwind between the stove and the counters.

"Mom, believe me, you’re going to like her," Sam insisted, trying to stay out of her way. "She’s incredible. She’s—"

"Oh, Sam," Eleanor cut him off, her focus entirely on her pans. "You’re far too young to be thinking about marriage."

"Marriage? Slow down, Mom. She’s just my girlfriend," Sam countered, a smirk playing on his lips.

His father, Robert, appeared in the doorway, leaning against the frame with a look of pure amusement. "Don’t listen to your mother, son. We ran away together when she was only sixteen."

"Robert!" Eleanor gasped, her face turning a deep shade of crimson.

"See!" Sam laughed, pointing a finger at his dad. "You really are my best buddy."

The warm moment was cut short when Cathy wandered in, immediately poking around in the fridge. She eyed the stacks of food with a suspicious squint. "What’s all this? Who’s getting married?"

Sam looked at his sister, and a sudden, sharp memory of Anna’s hand cracking across Cathy’s face flashed in his mind. He leaned in close, his voice dropping to a low hiss. "Sis... my girlfriend is coming for dinner tonight."

Cathy jumped back as if he’d slapped her. "What the heck, bro!"

"Hey! Mom will hear you," Sam warned.

Cathy’s eyes narrowed, the gears turning as she realized the girl who’d humiliated her was about to walk through her front door. Then, a new thought crossed her face. "Wait... is Devin coming too?"

"Absolutely."

Cathy’s expression smoothed out instantly, replaced by a sharp little grin. "Okay. In that case, I’ll join. I know Mom will push for it anyway," she giggled.

"But his girl will be there," Sam added bluntly.

"I don't care."

When Allison and Anna finally arrived, Devin looked like he’d just seen the sun. His entire face lit up with a pure, unguarded joy that he couldn't have hidden even if he’d tried.

In the living room, Ben and his fiancée, Christine, stood up to greet the newcomers. "Allison, you’ve grown so much," Ben said, his voice warm with genuine affection. "I'm so happy to see you again."

"It’s wonderful to see you, Ben," Allison replied, her smile finally reaching her eyes. "This is Anna, my best friend."

Anna stepped forward with her usual confidence, her hand extended. "So you’re the Ben I’ve heard so much about. Devin speaks of you constantly."

Ben beamed, clearly taken with her. "Well, I hope it’s all been good."

As they moved toward the dining room, the house felt full and bright, the air thick with the smell of home cooking. Sam couldn't stop staring at Anna, a proud grin plastered on his face. "Mom, she’s here. Tell me, what do you think?"

"Stop it, Sam. You’re embarrassing me," Anna murmured, her cheeks flushing pink.

Eleanor stopped to take in Anna’s look—the edgy, sharp style was a world away from the "girl next door" Eleanor had probably imagined. "Oh, good heavens, you look like a gangster!"

"Mom, she is a gangster," Sam joked.

"I used to be, Mrs. Cook," Anna said, her gaze steady and honest as she met Eleanor's eyes. "But now, I’m the kind of gangster who fights for the people she loves."

Eleanor flickered, the surprise on her face slowly softening into a smile. When Anna and Allison immediately started helping her clear the table, the last of Eleanor's defenses melted. "So... no longer a rebel, but a protector. Am I right?"

"Yes, Mom! That’s why I fell in love with her!" Sam shouted, making the whole table erupt in laughter.

Eleanor eventually turned her attention to the quiet young man at the end of the table. "And here you are, Devin. My favorite neighbor. Such a charming, quiet boy."

"Thank you, Mrs. Cook," Devin replied politely.

"Where is Cathy? Robert, go get her."

But Cathy was already there, sliding into her seat. "Now we’re complete," Robert noted.

Eleanor smiled, looking around at the young faces. "You know, Devin, I’ve always prayed for a man like you for my daughter. I always hoped you two would end up together, since you grew up as classmates."

The words hit the room like a bucket of ice water. The laughter died instantly. Allison felt a sharp, cold hollow open up in her chest. Devin went still, his eyes fixed on Allison with a look of agonizing, silent guilt.

Cathy went rigid, her spoon hovering in mid-air. After a long, awkward beat, she broke the silence. "Well, Mom, we’re just friends, okay? But... I’m just so happy you're in Devin's favor. Even if I know he already... belongs to someone else."

"Really?" Eleanor asked, sounding genuinely surprised. "My bad. Sorry, kids. I didn’t know. But like I said... my wish for my daughter is someone just like him."

Eleanor went back to her dinner, completely unaware of the bomb she’d just dropped. Cathy’s lips curled into a smirk that the adults missed, but Allison felt like it was personal. It was a cruel irony: here was Cathy, in a family that prayed for Devin to be theirs, while miles away, Allison’s own father was ready to pull a trigger on him.

Robert cleared his throat, trying to pull the mood back from the edge. "So, you’re all heading to college?"

"Yes," Anna said.

"Tell me about your dreams, your plans."

Anna leaned back, a small, knowing smile on her face. "So, here we are, finally discussing the American Dream."

Robert laughed, the sound loud and genuine. "Because my son didn't have one," he said, winking at Anna. "But now that he’s met you, maybe he will."

Sam groaned, his face turning red. "Dad, come on. I have dreams. I'm just... still figuring them out."

Anna reached under the table and squeezed his hand. "Don’t worry, baby. I don’t have them figured out either. We’ll do it together."

Christine smiled at them from across the table. "It’s wonderful you’re all starting this fall. I teach at the university, so please, come find me if you ever need anything."

The table relaxed, the smiles returning for everyone except Allison and Devin.