Chapter 53

 

Kell hadn’t even come to a complete stop before Becky fought with the lock on her door. “Settle down, love,” he said with a smirk. “You’ll see them soon enough. Besides, you’re starting to give me a complex.”

“What about?” She stopped and stared at him.

“I know you like them. So do I, but you needn’t be so enthusiastic about it. We’ve only just arrived back.”

“Aw… Kelley, I still love you the most.” She cracked up, realizing that he was only pulling her leg. He would have to be a fool to doubt her commitment to him. Kelley was anything but a fool.

“Go on, get out of here.” Leaning in, he stole a kiss before unlocking her door.

“I’ll grab the pies. You bring in our bags,” she said as she scrambled out of the car.

“Yes, ma’am.” He gave his head a shake.

 

It was amazing, really, how her mere presence altered the atmosphere. At the sound of her voice, the great cloud of doom that had lingered over the house instantly evaporated into thin air. Without hesitation, both Dorian and Keegan ran to greet her.

First at her side, Dorian reached out and took the pies from her arms. Next, Keegan came along and helped her with her coat. She was talking a mile a minute, hugging and kissing them both. As glad as she was to see them, she couldn’t help but wonder why Crispin hadn’t greeted her at the door.

Kell came in next, greeting everyone with a smile on his way upstairs. Moments later everyone dispersed, carrying on as normal. Dorian returned to the kitchen, Keegan to the television room to finish watching his movie.

Standing at a loss, Becky made her way into the kitchen and sat at the table. She quietly observed Dorian, fussing over the stove.

“You’re just in time for dinner,” he said, looking over his shoulder. “Won’t be long.”

“What are you making? she asked while the question that weighed heaviest on her mind went unspoken.

“Turkey, of course. It’s New Years Day. I figured since we’re back to classes tomorrow, we might as well have one last blast.”

“Oh, wow, Dorian, that’s very thoughtful of you,” she said, perking up a bit. “We brought apple pies for dessert.” She looked around but didn’t see where he’d put them.

“I noticed. That’ll be perfect. I set them down in the dining room.”

“The dining room?”

“Yeah, I figured we’d eat in there tonight. You’re always going on about how nice a table it is.”

Before he finished his sentence, Becky ran into the dining room and turned on the lights. That’s when her jaw dropped in awe. The table was beautifully set. Someone had arranged it as though it had hopped out of a magazine, a gothy one albeit, but still, it was more than she could have ever dreamt it could be.

Looking up from the couch, Keegan paused his movie. “Not bad for a bunch of guys, is it?” The clever Goths had even opened the connecting French doors between the two rooms.

“It’s gorgeous!” she gasped with her hands up to her face.

“That’s what we were going for,” Dorian quipped, stepping in behind her. “In hopes that you would be so impressed, you’d never want to leave us again.”

“Thanks a lot, man,” Kell said, stepping in behind Dorian, having overheard him. “As it was, she barely tolerated being away for two nights.”

With a pat on his shoulder, Crispin finally appeared, resting his grey eyes on Becky’s face. “Oh, I’m sure you kept each other distracted well enough. I did offer to loan you the handcuffs if she gave you any trouble.”

“Like I would ever need them,” Kell quipped, sucker-punching him in the ribs.

“Of course, you wouldn’t,” Crispin scoffed, looking from Kell to Becky with an odd look in his eyes.

“Hey…” Becky blushed profusely at all their talk.

Without another word, Crispin disappeared from the room. At the frown on her face, Dorian was quick to explain. “He’s been a miserable sod ever since you went off.”

“Aw, he’ll get over it,” Kell said, unbothered. “Call me when dinner’s ready. I’ll be upstairs if you need me.”

“Once again, Keegan returned to his movie while Becky followed Dorian into the kitchen. “What did you mean by that?” she asked, looking out through the window, seeing Crispin entering the garage.

“Never mind, Becky, it’s just the way he is. He gets attached to people even though he pretends not to care. I suppose it comes from how he grew up. He’s afraid to get close because, in the end, people have always let him down.”

“I understand what you’re saying but what has that got to do with me?” she asked cluelessly. As far as she was concerned, she had no plans to ever let Crispin down.

“I suppose when you went off with Kell, these last couple of days…”

“Oh…”

“Yes, you get it now. Even though he knows in his head that you were coming back, the whole thing makes him question his existence.”

“Wow, Dorian, you’re very perceptive.”

“I’ve known him longer, that’s all,” he added pensively. “Keegan thought it was just because Gracie dumped him. But I know better. This goes deeper than that.”

“I should talk to him.”

“That’s a good idea. If he bites your head off, don’t be surprised. It’s how he copes.”

“That much I know,” she said, putting on her coat and boots.