Memory in a Bottle

Jace

After Delilah stomps outside I turn to Dexter.

"So, since we're okay I just want to tell you that in two days I'm going to give Delilah a present that'll combine her family and mine together."

"I'm confused." I sigh and shake my head.

"I'm going to propose to Delilah." I whisper and Dexter's eyes widen in surprise.

"Wow. Congrats!" He replies patting me on my back.

"Thanks. Just don't say anything to her." He nods.

"Got it."

"Let's start heading to the car." We start to walk outside.

"Do you think she drove off?" He asks and I laugh.

"Nah, she wouldn't do that." Dexter walks out first and stops.

"Uh, you sure, man?" I walk out and see my car gone. I chuckle and dig in my pocket for my phone. I dialed Delilah's number and she picks up on the first ring.

"Hello, how may I help you? May I list our specials for you today? We don't sell shit on a shingle so if you wanted that then you're fucked." Delilah answers with a mocking tone. Even on the phone I can hear her smile. I chuckle.

"Where are you?" I ask.

"Oh well you were taking too long so I went back to the house and I am currently laying down on our bed."

"Delilah, are you salty that I'm not saying anything of where I went or are you salty that I said a sex joke in front of your brother?" She gasps mockingly.

"Jace! How did you know? I thought I hid it well." She replies with sarcasm laced in her voice. I heard a truck driving by in the background. She's still here because that truck just went by. I snicker.

"Delilah. You remember several years ago when I told you that you sucked at lying?" I ask searching the parking lot.

"Uh, no. I'm sorry. I don't have a good memory like you Jace." She replies as I spot my car. I smile and start sneaking towards my car. I have to keep her distracted so that she doesn't know what I'm doing.

"Well, I know you are lying to me now. You are salty but you just don't want to admit it."

"Are not!"

"Are too."

"I don't know what you are talking about. Besides I have to go your mom is making something that smells-" I hang up and knock on the driver side window. She jumps as I smile. She quickly recovers and rolls down the window. "Well, hello, Cowboy. How are you? I have been waiting for you." I smirk and kiss her forehead.

"Sure, you have." I walk over to the passenger side and get in. Dexter was already in the car. "You want to know how I knew you weren't at the house?"

"How?" She asks feistily.

"Because decades ago, you decided to pull this on me, and you hid behind the building. You weren't very good because you left the car on. Oh, and you always answer the phone and background noises are not hard to distinguish where you are." I reply with a smirk. She rolls her eyes and turns the car on. "By the way you smell like Pepto."

"Well, yeah. I took it for my upset stomach. I did leave to get the Pepto. I started heading to the house but.... yeah. I didn't want to." Dexter laughs.

"I feel like a third wheel here. Hey where did father go?"

"Well, he decided to go to his home and got to bed. I gave him my number and told him to text or call if he needs anything." Delilah says turning down our street. "Would your mom be mad if she has one more person in the house?"

"No, she'll be happy to see you have family coming over. She's also your mom too."

"I know.... I'm just used to calling her Mrs. Young. She's been in my life for as long as I can remember and it's hard to break the habit."

We arrive home and we get out. As we get closer to the house the more a delicious smell became stronger. Mom's making the casserole again. I smile and walk faster. I open the door and the aroma of her casserole makes my stomach growl. I sneak up behind ma to grab a piece.

"Shannon! Right behind you!" Delilah shouts at ma. She wasn't quick enough, and I snag a piece of casserole.

"Jason Conner!" Ma shouts smacking my arm. "You know better than that!"

"I know mamma. I just couldn't help myself. The food was calling to my name." I reply with my you-can't-resist-me smirk. Mom laughs then she smiles and bites her lip. I knew that someone was sneaking behind me. Hands drifted up my back to my shoulders and arms wrap around my neck like a backwards hug. I smile, pick Delilah up and give her a piggyback ride. She giggles and holds on tight. I wink at mom and toss Delilah on the couch. She shrieks and starts laughing. I hop on the couch and start tickling her. She squeals and laughs even more to the point she starts snorting. Mom, Dexter and I look at each other and bust out laughing.

"Dinner will be served in five minutes." Mom says still laughing. I look at Delilah and she grins. She leans up to kiss me, but I pull back.

"We only have five minutes." I whisper.

She smacks my arm. "Jace! We are not doing that!"

"Aw man." I say grinning. I help her off the couch and we head to the kitchen.