The Underdog by Kate Lauren

Author:Kate Lauren [Lauren, Kate]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-04-02T00:00:00+00:00

I’m beside myself laughing as Helen rehashes the shenanigans of her youth, leaving Warren to roll his eyes with each and every story. Ones that obviously aren’t the first time he’s heard.

I was hardly given a house tour, given that the second I walked inside, my nostrils guided me straight into the kitchen. Needless to say, two cups of tea and five minced tarts later, I’m hardly able to choke out what I’m about to say next. “If we were in college together, I would’ve called you raising hell, Helen.”

“Oh, my gosh!” She folds forward, clutching her stomach with one hand. “You’re too funny, Delaney,” she remarks before her laughter subsides, and she smiles at me with delight. “Gosh…” She folds her hands as one and tucks them underneath her chin. “You’re just like how Warren described you!”

Her revelation causes a silence to fall over the dining table, and now I’m not sure if that thudding I can hear is my heart or Warren’s. Yet, the red of his cheeks as he hides behind a napkin tells me perhaps it’s a bit of both.

Warren has been so quiet that at times, I forgot he was even here. Though his continual gaze and subtle smiles every now and again made his presence hard to forget.

“All good things, I can only hope…” I mimic his exact motion, watching to see any falter in his movements—any truth behind what exactly he’s said about me.

He pulls the napkin back down, and before he can even muster up a response, Helen beats him to it. “Of course.” Her smile is soft and sincere as she gently places a hand on my shoulder. “All wonderful things.”

I believe her words to be true, but I want nothing more right now than a whole transcription of this telephone call with him and his mom. I need to know word for word what he said and how he described me…and I need it on loop for the rest of my life.

“Shoot, look at the time,” Helen’s voice inflates as she peers up at the grandfather clock that rests along the wall. “It’s almost tea, and Delaney hasn’t even been shown to her room yet.” She stands up, shuffling to collect the plates from the table before disappearing into the kitchen.

I look over at Warren for assurance, confused by what she means, as I hear her frantically move about. “Tea?” I whisper. “Didn’t we just have tea?”

Warren smirks, his breath short as he leans forward ever so softly. “She means supper,” he clarifies before pulling back.

The word is yet another I’ll add to my list of words in England that mean something completely different back home.

“Warren!” Helen’s voice makes him rise to his feet. “Mind showing Delaney the guest room? You’ll make sure she’s comfortable, won't you?” She shoots him a mixed signal stare—yeah, that’s raising hell, Helen, alright.

“Yes, Mum.” He plants a kiss onto her cheek before he flashes me a faint tilt of his head, gesturing for me to follow.

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