Don't Stop Now [Finding My Path Sequel]

Chapter 13

"So, I never got an answer," I said to Andi. We were already walking through the streets of the Lower Ring, Andi knowing exactly where she was going.

"About what?" she asked without looking at me. I followed her as she made a sharp turn down a narrow street.

"Mom," I said cautiously. "What she does. Why she was away. Why you didn't know she would be back early."

Andi audibly sighed. "It's complicated."

"Is it bad?"

"No," she said quickly. "I mean, not really." For some reason, I thought of Dad. Was what he did bad? If Andi asked, what would I say? "It's just not typical."

"Okay," I decided maybe now was the time to stop prying. Soon, I could ask her herself. The thought filled me with excitement and dread.

"Alright, my turn for a question. You and Lina," Andi said. She glanced back at me after I didn't respond.

"That's not a question," I began to argue.

"Isn't it? Allow me to elaborate. What is going on there?" she said. She grinned when she asked it, like she could tell how much I wanted to kill her.

"Going on?" I asked stupidly. "Nothing. Nothing at all." I could feel my cheeks growing hot even as I said it.

"Ha ha. Come on now. I want the full story with you two. How do you convince a girl like that to go on an international adventure with you?"

I only shrugged, which clearly wasn't enough for Andi. "Okay, we were like sort of dating two years ago." Andi half laughed half gasped. "Then we lost touch. A week ago, I found her again and asked her to come here."

"Asked her as a companion? A good friend? A more-than friend?" Andi pried. I wanted nothing more than to change the subject, but that clearly wasn't going to happen.

"I asked her as Lina! I don't know, I guess I still like her, but not in a way I would make a move on her," I said, hoping to end it.

She only laughed. "Well clearly not. The only moves you'll make on her are brotherly ones." She responded to my questionable look with an eye roll. "'Don't worry, I'll take you to to bed' except, not in that way, at all."

"Yeah I get it. I'm a terrible almost boyfriend person."

"As long as we're on the same page," Andi said smugly.

"Now what about you?" I asked when I saw the opening. "You and Jaxon are--"

"Not up for discussion," she snapped. She wasn't looking at me again. Instead, she was hyper focused on our path.

"That's not fair," I argued. "We talked about me."

"Because you're boring and need help," she said harshly. I tried not to flinch. Andi only sped up.

"Come on," I groaned. "One question. That's it."

Now Andi was looking at me. Her gaze was suspicious, but she finally agreed. "Fine. Make it a good one."

"Do you two sleep together all the time?"

"Oh my god!" she said, throwing her arms up. "That's the question? Really, Tomi?"

"Uh huh. So?" I asked. I couldn't help but grin at her. I could see she was fighting a smile herself.

"Yes. In the same bed. That's all the details you're going to get," she said, a hint of annoyance in her voice, like I was her annoying little brother. Oh wait.

"Okay, thank you for the answer."

"Mom?" Andi asked, semi-cautiously. She took a step inside.

"In here, sweetie!" a voice echoed through the house. Andi continued into the house with me trailing a safe distance behind.