You are Mine,Only Mine novel Chapter 38

As she got up, I gripped her arm, not ready for her leave. The trace of Chanel perfume was comforting me at the moment. She smiled softly at me before she sat back down and looked at something to her right.

"Um, Warren and Charles, correct?" She said politely. I followed her gaze and sure enough, there, sat on the loveseat was Warren, Charles, and Weston - who were squished up together as they tried to be generous and respectful to my mother. I knew why they were here, but my mom didn't know. So imagine my horror when I saw Warren and Charles shirtless.

I knew for sure that this did not look good to my mother.

My eyes widened and it felt like it was going to bulge out of its eye sockets. Afterwards, my mouth fell open on its own accord. It was partly because I was surprised that they were all caught by mother. The other part was me - being the total teenage girl I am - decided to check them out. And damn, speechless was an understatement. However, I couldn't help compare them to Weston.

I quickly shut my mouth and watched the awkward situation unfold before me. "Yes, that is correct ma'am," Warren answered politely, giving me a small smile in an effort to comfort me.

"Oh, please call me Ella," my mom said with a wave of her hand while she showed off her pearly whites. This action caused my eyes to widen again. "May I ask you two a favor?"

"Anything," Charles said while getting up and standing awkwardly, crossing his arms above his chest.

"Please help Miss Feli with the soup and if you guys want," She added a wave of her hand, motioning to all the boys. "You may eat as well. Feli's chicken and corn soup is amazing."

"Thank you, Ella," Warren and Charles said with a nod of their heads in appreciation.

I watch their retreating backs before I turned to my mom with the best look of apology I could muster. "Mom, I could explain - " I started lamely, looking everywhere but her eyes before I stuttered. "U-um, these b-boys were, uh, helping me s-study."

A long moment of silence stretched before I looked at my mother. Her eyebrow was raised and she would've laughed, but she didn't want to embarrass me. "Danny, don't worry hon. I knew why they were truly here," my mom said before giving me a lazy smile.

"What exactly did they tell you?" I said, narrowing my eyes.

"Nothing you have to worry about."

She snorted. My mother actually snorted and not only that, but she rolled her eyes at me! "Come on. Even a blind man could see there is something clearly going on. He wouldn't be this way if there was nothing," she pointed out.

"Were just really good friends."

"It's okay, honey, to fall in love," she said quietly before holding my hand. "Just because your dad and I didn't succeed in love doesn't mean it won't work out for other people. I mean, look at gram and gramps. They've been married for forty five years." She smiled softly at the memory before her eyes were glassy and distant. "I'm sorry, Danny."

"About what?" I said, barely over a whisper.

"For letting you and Darren down," she sighed. "For letting you believe those silly things that love isn't worth it because it is. It truly is a work of art. I mean, look where your father's and my wedding led up to - my unconditional love for both my kids. I know I let you guys down sometimes and I'm not always there and trust me when I say that I regret it with all my heart, soul, and mind."

"Mom, please, don't," my voice wavered as I felt a tear roll down my cheek. "Don't blame yourself. If anything, you're the best I could ever ask for."