Shame the Devil (Portland Devils #3) - Rosalind James Page 0,152

yeah, it’s about ten times nicer than any apartment I’ve ever been in. Not as weird as this, though. I’m all about the weird vibe.”

“I think Dyma should move into the room next to mine,” Annabelle said. “We talked about it. We’re sharing the tutor and everything—”

“Although I don’t need a tutor,” Dyma said. “Seeing as how I have projects to do for my AP classes, plus my programming final, and that’s it. Other than that, I just need you to sign off on my P.E. hours, Mom. But I can help Annabelle with Precalculus and Chemistry when the tutor isn’t here, since that’ll just be fun.”

“Fun, huh?” Harlan said. “First time I’ve ever heard those subjects described that way. And you don’t need anybody keeping you on track on those projects? You sure?”

“Well, yeah,” Dyma said. “Calculus is exciting. It’s, like, sexy, the perfection of it. The precision of it. And if I need somebody keeping me on track to do my projects, how’m I supposed to handle engineering school? I’m motivated, Harlan. It’s a thing.”

“You’re also rude,” Jennifer said. “Also a thing.”

“Really?” Dyma asked. “How?”

Jennifer said, “I’ll tell you later. We’ll diagram your sentences for rudeness factor. You also have to ask Harlan about staying in the house. That wasn’t our deal. Harlan, please be honest.”

“Excuse me,” Harlan said, “but that was my suggestion, remember?”

“Ha,” Dyma said. “I’ll bet I wasn’t the one you wanted over here, though.” She took a seat and bounced in an experimental fashion. “This couch is very strange. I feel like it should recline, at least. Surely something with this much leather on it, that I’ll bet was custom made, because who else would want it, should be more comfortable. Cows died for this?”

“Yep,” Harlan said. “Exactly.”

“The chairs in the theater recline,” Annabelle said.

“Excuse me,” Dyma said. “The theater?”

“Every NFL player has that,” Annabelle said. “And a gym, too. I’ll bet you anything Owen has a theater. I’ll bet you his gym is bigger than the one here, too, because he’s a lineman. Also that he has a pool table and probably a whole game room. There is a pool here, though. An indoor pool, but it feels like it’s outside, because glass. Want to go swimming? It’s so cool that you’re here,” she burst out impulsively. “It’s going to be so much better. It’s supposed to be the offseason, but Harlan does all this volunteering, and then he reads and runs and works out and cooks and watches sports, in this routine that’s almost exactly the same every day. It’s better here than home,” she hastened to add. “It’s so much better. But I’m really glad you’re here.”

Her voice trembled a little on the last sentence. Of course she was lonely. Of course she was.

“I totally want to go swimming,” Dyma said. “That was a long, boring drive. You owe me, Mom.”

“Boring, huh?” Harlan asked. “Didn’t hang your legs out the car windows? Didn’t wave at any passing semis? Didn’t flash anybody?”

“Excuse me,” Dyma said. “I’m a safe driver. And I have a boyfriend. I’m not flashing some random trucker. So what do you think? Will having Annabelle and me here be way too much actual, dangerous fun? We could go live in the other place, I guess, and you and Mom could stay here. Quieter for you, but then we can’t try out all the appliances and rearrange your kitchen cabinets, because they’re set up pretty inefficiently now, and hog the theater. That would be a downside.”

Jennifer said, “None of that is happening. I’m living in the apartment, and I think you should, too. Also, they’re not your kitchen cabinets, miss. If you want to rearrange something, get your own place.”

“Nope,” Harlan said. “As far as I’m concerned, go on and unpack your stuff into that guest room. I guess I can put up with a little noise. It’s a big house. As for my cabinets—hey, arrange away. I’m all about the beauty of change.”

“‘If you realize that all things change,” Dyma said, “there is nothing you will try to hold on to.’ Also, ‘Cultivate peace and order before confusion and disorder have set in.’ Which would be your cabinets. Lao Tzu,” she told Annabelle, who looked impressed.

“Yeah,” Harlan said. “Well, maybe not all the way, on the change part. There are some things that are worth holding on to, I’ve decided. And, hey, Jennifer—want to come for a walk with me?”

He had kissed her on the cheek last night, after