The Space Between

by Victoria H. Smith

  “Lacey, I really don’t give a shit.”

  “Drake—”

  Slipping my hand behind her neck, I placed my mouth on hers. I put everything I had into it; everything I could give. She needed me. No matter what she said, she did. Everyone needed someone, and as strong as this girl was she was no exception.

  That fact was proven when she kissed me back.

  Her fingers in my hair, her lips moved like this kiss would be our last. Her tears went into it. Her emotions were engulfed by it.

  Before I knew it, I pulled her over the armrest and into my lap. Pushing back her curls, I kissed away all her tears. This was my last-ditch effort; my final attempt to make this whole situation easier for her by letting her know she had an ally in me; someone who cared enough to be by her side completely. I wouldn’t waste it, and I didn’t.

  When she pulled back, she leaned her head down, and I kissed her forehead.

  “Thank you,” she whispered.

  After giving her one last kiss I helped her out of the car, grabbed her bag, and we both went inside. I wanted to hold her hand, but that definitely wouldn’t have helped Lacey’s situation. This job was her last piece of something stable, and I didn’t want to rock that boat.

  I handed the bag to her as we crossed the threshold of my house, and then we both headed into the living room. Instinctively, I turned to veer off from her into the hall, so my mom wouldn’t know we came in together. I couldn’t make that journey, though. Mom sat on the couch in the living room staring us both down with a look that shot more anxiety into me than even the night that Tyrone threatened me.

  Chancing on the fact that she didn’t know anything, I acted causal. “Hi, Mom.”

  “Truman,” she said, then her gaze panned over to Lacey standing beside me. “Lacey.”

  “Mrs. Drake.” Lacey nodded, putting on the act as I was with her relaxed manner.

  Mom uncrossed her legs and stood, patting down her cream skirt. “Interesting that you two are coming in together.”

  The air left my mouth in small breaths. “Lacey called saying she needed a ride. I was out already and told her no problem.”

  I couldn’t read my mother’s expression in the moment. She wasn’t really giving anything off to read. She just stood there, face neutral, like she was taking it all in.

  “How were your dates?” she asked, her look unchanged.

  “Fine,” I said.

  Mom nodded once. “Lacey?”

  “Mine went well,” she said.

  “That’s good to hear that you both had a good time, because I don’t believe Ashley could say the same.”

  My jaw went stiff.

  “The word at the country club is that she spent the latter part of her evening caring for her sick grandmother. A grandmother that, though she is ill, is very much alive.”

  So she caught us in a lie. No big deal. I could fast talk and tell her I lied to get Lacey the job.

  “That’s true.” I stepped forward. “She left early from the date saying she had a family emergency, and I’m sorry about lying to you about her grandmother. Lacey needed the job—”

  “What did you two do after you left the theater, Truman?” She cocked her head to the side.

  “I suppose Lacey went home. Cooper taking her, of course. And I drove around. Relaxed.”

  “So you didn’t spend any time together?”

  My mom was clearly fishing for some kind of information, but I had to continue playing the dance. I couldn’t give myself away. “Well, you did see us just come in together. So I guess if you count that—”

  “Stop.”

  My mom’s single word was so loud it rocked around the room, sending a chill down my spine. She never raised her voice. She was always the perfect little woman, the good wife to the end.

  She un-balled her fists and swallowed hard. “Stop lying to me.”

  Lacey put her hand on my bicep. “Drake, she knows.”

  Mom’s jaw clenched when she saw Lacey touch me, and it tightened even more when I slipped my hand in hers.

  “I know she does,” I said.

  Chapter Forty-Four

  Lacey

  We all stood there in a standoff; Mrs. Drake’s eyes never left the handhold Drake and I had. I wanted to let go of Drake’s hand the minute he put it in mine, not because I was ashamed, but because the situation was being made worse by it. The small gesture of intimacy was like a slap in the face to Mrs. Drake. I didn’t want to piss her off, but I also didn’t want Drake to think that I abandoned him by letting go. Opting to hold my ground for Drake and myself, I kept my hand in his.

  “How long has this been going on?” Mrs. Drake’s eyes finally scanned up to her son’s.

  “I met Lacey the night of the fundraiser,” Drake said, his words unfaltering.

  Mrs. Drake’s nostrils flared. “The night you were arrested in the West Side?”

  “Yes.”

  “You were with her.”

  “Yes.”

  “And you lied to me and pretended like you didn’t know her when I hired her.”

  “She needed the job, Mom. And despite what you think, this,” he said, glancing down to our hands, “is pretty new. I tried to respect the fact that you hired her and stayed away from her, but eventually I couldn’t do it anymore.”

  “We couldn’t do it anymore.”

  He smiled at me when I helped him. This—us—wasn’t his fault. The fact of the matter was it wasn’t anyone’s fault. We just happened. We couldn’t help it.

  “I see.” She let out a breath and crossed her arms. “I’m going to be perfectly blunt with you, Truman. Have you two been fucking in my house?”

  I cringed.

  Drake’s eyes widened. “Mom!”

  “It’s an easy question. Yes or no?”

  “No. We’ve been perfectly respectful and kept anything that happened between us from here.”

  I noticed he didn’t mention the incident in the kitchen, but admitting the fact would just make things worse.

  “So you’ve been going to her side of town, then? In the ghetto?”

  “Mom,” Drake gritted through his teeth. “You’re being rude to her.”

  “And what do you think you’re being to me, Truman?” She put her hand to her chest. “After everything I’ve done for you. After everything I do for you as your mother, this is how you treat me? Disrespecting me and my house. I mean God, Truman, your sister lives here. What if she would have caught the two of you—”

  “I told you we didn’t do anything here—”

  “It makes me nauseous.” Mrs. Drake swallowed hard.

  Drake’s eyebrows shot up, and his hand tightened in mind. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

  I think I knew what she meant, and he did, too. He wasn’t ignorant to the world like I believed he was when we first met. He knew what she meant.

  “You will not speak to me in my house that way,” she barked.

  “Looks like I already did.”

  Her face went red hot, and she pointed a finger at him. “You are making things worse for her with every word that comes out of your mouth.”

  Shaking, I drew in close to Drake. I was afraid of what her finding out about us would be mean. Now, I knew she wasn’t bluffing about all those things she had me sign.

  “You won’t touch her,” Drake nearly growled.

  “I don’t believe you have any say in the matter, Truman.”

  “Well, I’ll fight it. We’ll fight it. Whatever you throw at us.”

  “With what?”

  “I’m my father’s son, Mom. I have a few tricks up my sleeve.”

  “Truman Drake, I’m warning you right now. You keep talking, and she won’t just lose everything, you will, too.”

  My heart shot up into my throat.

  “The car, your college tuition, your personal accounts. All gone.” She swept her hand in front of her to push the point.

  “Then take it.” Grabbing my hand,
Drake whipped me around.

  In panic, I let go and stood in front of him, hands on his chest. “Drake, don’t. You’re ruining your life.”

  He narrowed his eyebrows. “Lacey, I don’t consider being with you ruining my life.”

  “You know that’s not what I meant. I meant you’re making things worse. Please. Just go apologize—”

  “Apologize? Lacey—”

  “She’s right, Truman.”

  From behind Drake, Mrs. Drake stood in the doorframe to the foyer. “Now, why don’t you quit with the dramatics, and let her go.”

  “Like hell I will,” Drake seethed.

  “You go upstairs and let yourself wind down. We’ll talk about this like civilized people later once you have.”

  “Mom, you had to have lost your mind if you think that I would even consider leaving her just because you told me to. I’m a grown man, and I’m officially choosing to live like one.”

  He turned, but I stopped him by crossing in front of his path.

  “Lacey, what are you doing? We’re leaving.”

  I shook my head. “You’re acting rash. You’re throwing everything away and acting rash.”

  “Lacey, I’m not—”

  “No.” I put my hand up, silencing him. “Drake, I’ve had to deal with so much today. I can’t handle if something bad happens to even one more person I care about.”

  He grabbed my hand, taking it between his large ones. “Lacey . . .”

  “Please. Just do what she says. Cool off, and we’ll talk soon.”

  In complete silence, he studied our hands. He then turned to his mom. “I’m only doing this for her.”

  Standing stark still, his mom didn’t say a work.

  Drake put his hand to my cheek and kissed my forehead. “I’ll call you.” He stepped away, shooting his mother one last heated look before heading up the grand stairs and around a corner.

  After he left, I turned to make my own exit.

  “You did the right thing, Lacey.”

  My hand stiffened on the doorknob. “You didn’t win, Mrs. Drake.”

  “I don’t think this was a competition. I think we both care about my son’s well-being, and in the end, you’ll see this was right for you, as well.”

  Dropping my hand, I turned around. “Perhaps, you didn’t hear me. Drake and I are not up for debate here. I sent him away, so he could cool down. That’s it. When he’s ready, he’s going to come back to me.”

  Sighing, Mrs. Drake approached me, her cream-colored heels clacking against the polished floor. “Lacey, I understand you’ve developed deep feelings for my son, but I also like to think a smart girl like you isn’t naïve.”

  I crossed my arms. “What do you mean?”

  “Lacey, my son thinks about number one. He’s selfish. Defiant. Always has been and always will be. These fights are not uncommon between us, and every time we have one, he then feels he has to go out and do something worse to get a reaction out of me. To spite me and get me back for the last time. You, my dear, are a product of that. His greatest defiance.”

  My jaw clenched. “You’re wrong. Drake cares about me.”

  “I’m sure he does.” She put her hand on my shoulder, and it took all I had in me not to rip it from my sweater. “I’m sure he didn’t do this to you on purpose, but he did do it. He will move on to the next, because in the end, he always cares about himself first and everyone else second.”

  Shrugging out of her grasp, I headed out the door.

  “Goodbye, Lacey,” Mrs. Drake said from behind me.

  Chapter Forty-Five

  Drake

  Pushing a long current of air through my nose, I gripped the ledge of the windowsill. I couldn’t take the waiting around up here anymore. I was left with nothing but restless thoughts surrounding me, and all thinking about them did was piss me off further. My mother’s actions made me ashamed to even call myself her son. Wanting to get away from the thought of her, I broke down and decided to call Lacey. I knew she told me to give myself some time to cool off at my mom, but that didn’t mean I couldn’t call her in the meantime. I needed to talk to her. I had to make sure she was okay. She’d been through so much today.

  Lying on my bed with my phone to my ear, I ruffled my fingers through my hair. The phone rang a long time. It rang so long I didn’t think she’d pick up.

  “Hi, Drake.”

  Her voice literally brought pleasure to my body, calming me. “Hey, there. Did you get home okay?”

  There was a pause before she spoke. “Yep. Took a cab.” She let out a breath into the receiver, followed by a sniffling sound.

  Closing my eyes, I sighed. “Lacey? Are you crying?”

  There was another pause. “Do you want me to lie to you?”

  I rose up, elbows on my knees. “Let’s talk. It will make it easier to deal with everything that happened today. Let’s start with your mama. Talking will only help.”

  “I don’t know if that’s what’s best for either of us right now, Drake.”

  I frowned. “What do you mean?”

  “I mean . . .” She sniffled again. “I mean I’m dealing with so much. You’re dealing with so much. School starting. Things being rocky with your mom. Perhaps, we both need some time to—”

  My head shot up as I realized where this was going. I’d had this conversation before, but I was never on this end. “Lacey, please don’t tell me this is going where I think it is.”

  “Drake . . .” She whimpered. “It would just be easier to be apart for a little bit, to reflect and deal with our separate situations. I’m not saying forever. Just some time . . .”

  I stood up, my heart beating fast in my chest. “No. We don’t need time. I don’t need time. For the first time in my life, I’m sure about something, and you’re not going to take that away.”

  “Drake, this is all just so new and exciting, and you’re not thinking clearly. I saw what you did at your house, and how quick you were to do it. You’re not acting rationally. You’re becoming clouded by us, acting on emotion, and throwing things away.”

  “Of course I’m emotional, goddammit. I care about you.”

  “Drake, I’m sure you do, and I care about you, but—”

  “Is this about my mother’s threats?” I asked, nostrils flaring. “Don’t let what she said scare you. She’s all talk and has been my whole life. She won’t do anything to me or you.”

  “Drake, I just don’t want you to chance that based on us. What we have is so new. You need time to think and properly analyze what we really mean to you. I’m sure you’ve had other relationships in the past that have made you feel passionate. Other girls . . . I just . . . I want you to take some time and think about things. You have to be sure that what we have is what you really want before you go rushing into things and potentially doing something you might regret later—”

  “Lacey, I love you.” The words came out before I could stop them. They came out because I didn’t want to stop them.

  “You what?” her voice squeaked.

  I sat down on my bed, chewing on my lip. “I love you, Lacey, and I hate doing this over the phone, but you clearly needed to hear that right now.”

  She was silent for a moment. “Do you really mean that?” she whispered.

  “I do, Lacey, and I’ve never said that to another girl outside of my family. I actually wanted to tell you the other night on the phone, but I didn’t want to scare you.” I laughed.

  She laughed a bit, too.

  “I’m sure about what I feel for you, Lace. One hundred percent sure. Now, I don’t want you to say anything back right away because I just loaded this all on you, and you need to think about what that statement means. Just know that I do, and I want you to fight for us. I want you to fight like I’m willing to do.”

  I gripped the phone listening to her soft breaths as I awaited her answer.

  “I’m beside you, Truman Drake.”

  With her words, the anxiety finally melted away.
“I’m coming to see you.”

  “No, Drake. Ty—”

  “I don’t care about, Tyrone. I could care less if he’s stalking the place with UZIs, I’m coming in.”

  She giggled. “There’s no talking you out of this, is there?”

  “Nope.”

  “Okay.”

  I got up, grabbing a fresh t-shirt and some jeans to swap out for the suit I was still in. “I’ve got one thing to take care of first, but then I’ll be over. Okay?”

  “All right. I’ll be waiting.”

  I loved hearing her say that. “Bye, Lace.”

  “Bye.”

  *

  Outside the door to my father’s study, I put on the act. I stood up straight, held my head high, and exuded confidence. Father only responded to that: confidence.

  I gave a few short raps on the door, and waited.

  “Come in,” he said.

  His voice was direct, but not tense. That was a good sign. I needed him in a good mood for what I was about to request.

  I opened the door enough to get in and stood in front of it when I closed it.

  The old man sat at his oak desk surrounded by bookshelves with the sunlight from the window shining on his space. In a blazer and spectacles, he looked like a more distinguished version Mr. Rogers—minus the kindness and soul part, of course.

  Glancing up, he completely leaned back when he saw me.

  I wasn’t surprised by his reaction. I couldn’t even remember the last time I came in here.

  “Truman, interesting to see you here,” he said behind a wrinkled brow.

  I stepped forward, hands at my sides. “I’ve come to discuss something with you. If you have a few moments, of course.”

  The slight twitch of his eyebrows went noticed at the request. He removed his glasses, and gestured to a brown leather chair by the window.

  I took the seat as he swiveled around to face me.

  “What can I help you with?” he asked, crossing his legs at the knee.

  I did the same and paired the cross-legged position with sitting up straight. Best to imitate what he saw as being professional. “I don’t know if you heard, but there was an incident that occurred between me and mom earlier today.”