Blurred Lines by KD Williamson (35 page)

Nora smiled and continued to try to figure out what was making her mouth water. It all came together. “Lasagna.”

Kelli smirked. “Very good.” Then she turned away and yelled, “Mom! We’re here.”

Nora jumped slightly. She didn’t expect Kelli to be so loud. Raised voices were never allowed in her home, especially during an event as formal as dinner.

“She knows.” Sean popped up from the couch and started grinning. “You’re a couple minutes late, so she had me peek. Told her the windows looked fogged up.” His grin widened. “So, I didn’t wanna come out to bother you.” He glanced at his sister then back at Nora. “Hey, Nora.”

Nora blinked.

“And don’t start that Mr. McCabe crap. It’s just Sean, remember? I ate your food, drank your beer, and saw you make out with my sister. I think we’re familiar.”

Kelli sighed. “And here we go.”

Yes, all of that was true. She didn’t need to be reminded of such an embarrassing—yet stimulating—moment. “Hello, Sean.” This dinner was going to be memorable in one way or another. Nora just knew it. She cleared her throat. “Maybe I can go help in the kitchen?”

Kelli nodded, but she was glaring at her brother. She turned and pointed toward the door past the dining area. “Kitchen is through there. I’ll be just a second.”

Kelli wanted her to go in there alone? Nora felt a small zip of panic. Did Kelli forget her mother was in there?

“Promise,” Kelli said as if she’d read her mind.

Nora moved slowly toward the kitchen door. A cry of pain made her look over her shoulder.

Sean was holding his head and laughing while Kelli tried to hit him.

Nora found herself smiling at the display. She imagined that, within these walls, there had been a lot of horse play between Kelli and her brothers. Growing up, Nora had the nanny and the maid, and she couldn’t remember ever playing anything with them, hugging them or even laughing. It was strange and slightly uncomfortable to witness such things and realize the impact of what she never had. That was the past. Now, there was playfulness in her life, along with humor. Perhaps Nora should do whatever she could to hold onto it. She pushed the door open and stepped inside.

Carina glanced up and smirked. “Well, hey. My daughter sent you in here alone? That’s brave.” She placed a large pan of lasagna on the counter and removed her oven mitts.

Very memorable.

The kitchen door whooshed open. “What’s brave?” Kelli asked.

“You sending your girlfriend into the lion’s den by herself,” Carina answered.

Kelli’s mouth dropped open, and Nora had never seen her blush before. Kelli was beet red. “Mom!”

“What? It’s the truth, isn’t it?” Carina shrugged.

Girlfriend. That was definitely a label, but the word didn’t cause as much anxiety as Nora thought it would. Her stomach and heart fluttered a little before she settled again, but Kelli looked like she was floundering. Nora’s first instinct was to help. She reached out and took Kelli’s hand. “It’s okay.”

Kelli gazed at Nora like she was searching for something. Apparently, she found it. Kelli smiled slightly and squeezed Nora’s hand.

“Kelli tells me you’re a cook,” Carina said.

Nora cleared her throat again. She could do this. She could. “Yes, I dabble.”

“Nothing wrong with that.” Carina motioned Nora over. “Come over here. I tried something a little different. Lasagna is lasagna, you know? I wanted to give it more zing.”

Nora released Kelli’s hand and moved forward. “Sure.” Nora could picture Kelli sitting on one of the stools that lined the island to do her homework and watch her mother cook. She was never really allowed in the kitchen. Her mother didn’t do such things. Nora was an adult now, but there was something surreal in Carina McCabe’s request to come in to taste her lasagna that caused a pleasant tingle to shoot down Nora’s spine.

“It’s not poisoned is it? I don’t wanna end up on one of those Discovery shows about mothers who commit murder,” Kelli asked teasingly.

It was nice to have Kelli back to making jokes again, even if they were her way of dealing with uncomfortable situations. Or maybe because of it.

Carina glared at her daughter. “You just hush and go toss the salad or something since you can’t burn it.” She dug into the lasagna with a spatula and placed a tiny bit on a plate. “The cooking gene just past right over her. My boys have some of it, but maybe she’s just saving it for my grandchildren.”

Nora actually gulped.

Carina laughed. “I’m just kidding. Right now, anyway. The look on your face…”

“Mom!” Kelli exclaimed.

“Shush.” Carina gave Nora the plate and put a fork on it. “Go on.”

Nora did as she was told. She felt Kelli come up behind her. Nora glanced at Kelli, and her gaze was warm, affectionate, just as always. Nora returned her attention to the food and dug in. The lasagna was bursting with flavor, and there was a delightful spiciness. “Roasted red peppers and cayenne?”

Carina smiled. “Very good. I’m impressed.” She looked at her daughter. “I’m glad you never brought that Ashley girl over here. She looked like she couldn’t tell an onion from a tomato.”

Nora was relieved. Without a doubt, she’d just passed a test of some sort.

Kelli rolled her eyes. “Whatever. Can I get a taste?”

“Yeah, when we eat in ten minutes.” Her mother answered. “The garlic bread will be done by then. You still haven’t fixed the salad, and when you get done with that, you two can set the table.” Carina shooed her daughter away. “So, did your mother teach you to cook?”

The question saddened Nora, and she was reminded of how empty her life had been. “No, I…I learned mostly through trial and error, but I did take classes some years ago,” she answered honestly.

Carina studied her. “I’m sorry to hear that.” She responded softly. “If Kelli doesn’t run you off, I’d be happy to teach you a few tricks with Italian food. You’ll have this one…” She pointed at Kelli. “…following you around like a puppy.”

“Thank you. I think I would like that.” Nora felt a spark of anticipation.

Kelli had her head in the refrigerator, her hands full of ingredients for salad. “Hey, you know I heard everything you said, Mom.”

“And you know I didn’t whisper,” her mother countered.

Nora smiled at the banter. She wasn’t sad anymore.

A few minutes later, Nora placed the salad bowls in the proper place for an informal dinner, to the left of the forks. She could feel Kelli’s gaze on her. When she looked, Kelli was smiling, and there was a dazed look on her face. Nora tilted her head. “Are you all right?”

Kelli’s smile dimmed to a smirk, but her expression remained. “Yeah, you’re just…” Kelli laughed. “You’re something else.”

Nora let the compliment wash over her. It felt stupendous.

* * *

“They sucked,” Kelli insisted. “They were grown men in the NBA with the ball-handling skills of a grade school team, especially near the end. Not to mention the pissy coaching and management. I’m glad they’re gone.” She dipped her bread in red sauce and popped the piece into her mouth.

“They used to hold their own with the big boys,” Sean said.

Kelli snorted. “Whatever. We don’t need a professional men’s team. I like the Storm, and they are doing just fine.”

“This is a stupid argument. If they brought them back, it wouldn’t be the same players or management.” Sean said.

“Oh yeah? I’m sure there’s some fat cat somewhere waiting in the wings from before.”

“Uh-huh, admit it. You just like Seattle Storm because there’s some hot women on that team. I’ve seen your DVR. Why else would you record the games?” Sean challenged with a smirk.

“Uh, because I work,” Kelli answered.

“No, you rewind so you get to see tit—”

“Hey!” Kelli cut him off. She glanced in Nora’s direction.

Sean rolled his eyes. “She likes tits too. Hell, we all do. Except for Mom.” He pointed his fork in his mother’s direction. “Isn’t that right Nora?” Then he pointed it at her.

“Jesus Christ, are you twelve? Show some damn manners,” Kelli yelled at her brother.

He shrugged. “Nora will get used to it.” Sean continued to wave his fork around. “Won’t you, Nora? I mean, you got used to this potty mouth right here.” He shook his utensil at Kelli.

“Oh, fuck you.” Kelli rolled her eyes and grinned.

“See? See what I mean?” Sean laughed.

Nora put her own fork down and waited. “Am I allowed to speak now?”

Kelli snorted.

Sean smiled. “I like her. Did I tell you that before?” He glanced at Kelli.

“Probably, but don’t you think she needs to hear it?” Kelli asked him.

The fork was back and Sean’s smile widened. “I like you.”

He was accepting her into their circle. Nora had never fit in before, but she could here, if she wanted to. Did she want to?

“What?” He looked at Nora expectantly. “I don’t get anything back? Not even a ‘Sean you’re great?’”

Nora laughed. She liked him too. “Sean you’re—”

“An asshole.” Kelli finished.

“Hey! I learned from the best, sis,” Sean said.

Nora watched them bicker for a few more seconds before glancing at their mother. Carina was smiling and shaking her head. She looked Nora’s way. Nora held her breath. She wasn’t sure why. Maybe she wanted to see acceptance in her gaze as well. Instead, Carina rolled her eyes and pantomimed her children’s argument.

“I don’t know how you put up with her.” Carina mouthed and pointed.

Nora felt heat rush to her face. She glanced at Kelli. She smiled, and Nora grinned in return before Sean pulled her back into their discussion. Nora’s gaze found Carina again. She peered at Nora over the rim of her glass and winked.

Nora experienced a warmth she couldn’t explain, but she just went with it. If this was a fraction of what family was supposed to be like, then she had missed out on a lot, but she was eager to try to make up for it.

“Since we were talking about tits, TV, and lesbians, I have a question. You’re with Kelli now. I’m gonna assume you’re done with men? I’ve seen a video or two. There are a lot of things women can do to each other in the bedroom, so there’s no way to get bored.” Carina eyes stayed on Nora as she spoke.

Well, that was unexpected. No censor, indeed. This was obviously another test. Even though there was a smirk on Carina’s face, Nora knew she was serious.

All conversation stopped.

“Did you just say you watched porn?” Sean asked, his mouth hanging open.

“Oh my God! What the hell?” Kelli looked as if she was about to faint.

Somehow, Nora pushed through her embarrassment and growing trepidation and searched for an answer. Her palms felt sweaty, and her stomach was suddenly jittery. There was no safe response. Carina McCabe was protective of her children. Lion’s den was an apropos description. She had no idea if she was going to be with another man again or if she and Kelli were going to last. She decided to go with the first thing that came to mind. She had to say something. “Based on what I’ve gleaned from the Internet, lesbian erotic fiction is considered more stimulating.”

The dinner area was quieter than it was a minute ago.

Nora didn’t dare look at Kelli. She found the wherewithal to seek Carina’s gaze.

Carina continued to study her. Her face was blank, but Nora started to see her lips quiver as she fought her smile. Carina McCabe lost the battle. A huge smile spread across her face. “I like this, and when Tony gets home, it’s gonna be even better.”

There it was…the acceptance Nora was hoping for.

Nora felt the previous warmth creep back. She glanced at Kelli to see that her dazed look had returned. Truth be told, Nora was astonished by her own behavior, pleasantly so, but Kelli’s expression made the moments of discomfort worth it.

* * *

Nora opened the bathroom door to see Kelli leaning against the opposite wall. Kelli grinned. “I’m not stalking, just wanted to show you something since you were back here.”

“Okay.” Curiosity got the better of Nora.

Kelli made her way down the hall and motioned for Nora to follow. They stopped. “This used to be my room. I still crash here from time to time.” Kelli opened the door.

Nora stepped inside.

“It looks a little more adult now without all the posters and crap.” The color palette was similar to Kelli’s bedroom in her own home, except for the full-sized bed and desk. Kelli pointed at the wall near the entrance. “I used to have a life-sized cut out of Boy George taped there.”

Nora bit the inside of her cheek and remained quiet. The name sounded familiar.

Kelli sighed. “I’ll just add him to the list.” She smirked. “That changed to posters of Corey Hart and then Metallica. I don’t know how I went from pop to metal.”

“Maybe you’ll develop an appreciation of jazz in time as well.”

Kelli shrugged. “Anything is possible.”

“Yes, I’m learning that.” Nora sat down on the chair in front of Kelli’s desk. The chair squeaked. “So, this is where you grew up, and this is your family.”

“For better or worse, yeah. What you see is what you get.” Kelli sat on the bed, but they were only a few inches apart. She looked hesitant and hopeful at the same time.

“You’re very lucky.” Nora paused. “I never…” Her voice trailed off as she remembered the emptiness of her childhood.

“I know,” Kelli said gently. She covered Nora’s hand with her own.

“And they made me…they made me feel.” Nora’s thoughts were scattered, and her words came out the same way. “I laughed. Your brother likes me. And your mother...” Nora didn’t know what to say about Carina.

Nora wasn’t sure how she ended up in Kelli’s arms, but she liked being there. Kelli chuckled. “My mom likes you too. We’re a mess, but it’s a package deal. If you want it.”

That was a lot to think about.

“Oh, hey, there you guys are.” Sean stood in the doorway. He leaned back and yelled down the hall. “I found them, Mom! They were making out in Kelli’s old bedroom.”

“Goddammit, Sean!” Kelli exclaimed.

Nora laughed.

* * *

Kelli jiggled Nora’s car keys in her hand. The night was over, and she didn’t want it to be. So many good things happened in a row. After all the up-and-down crap of the past couple of months, Kelli wanted to hang onto those moments. She looked at Nora. “Come in for a little while? I know you have work but do it anyway.”