After falling back into a blissful sleep for an hour or so, Belly woke up in a panic.
Conrad was fast asleep still. She checked her phone and realised it was 8am. Laurel would be awake. Belly knew her mom would likely be set up on the front porch with her coffee and whatever novel she was reading at the time. Which means, she would have spied Conrad's car.
Belly got up, tied her hair and steeled herself in the mirror. What's the worst that could happen, right?
"Mom?" Belly said with a shaky voice as she approached the porch.
"Oh good morning sweetheart. Did you sleep well?" Laurel said sweetly. Belly knew this tactic. She wasn't going to fall for the false sense of security.
"Mom. Conrad dropped me home last night. It was late. And I know how much you love him and wouldn't want him to risk driving that far while he was that tired!" Belly rushed to cover all the bases.
"And for extra measure, he needed to stay in your bedroom?" Laurel asked calmly.
"The spare room wasn't set up! Conrad isn't just some random guy with ulterior motives mom."
"Belly, breathe. I'm not mad. I know Connie isn't some guy, especially not to you. And for both your sakes, I hope you can be there for each other. I just want you to be careful. You are basically an adult now, I've realised I just need to trust you to do the right thing. But Belly? Please just keep me posted on where you are or if Beck's boys need help. You don't have to do this on your own."
"Sure Mom. I promise."
Belly made her way back to her room, as she saw Steven open his door.
"Is that Conrad's car in the drive?" He asked as he stretched in his doorway.
Time slowed for Belly as Conrad opened her bedroom door and joined them in the hallway. Steven might be thick, but he can put two and two together. Belly held her breath.
"Yo Connie! Good to see you man. Did you catch that Red Sox game last night!? It was too good to miss bro". Belly was so shocked that Steven was so unphased, that she continued to hold her breath.
"Oh really? Let's put the recaps on. I was driving last ni - Belly? Are you ok?" Belly finally let her breath go.
"I'm so fine." And with that, Belly turned around and walked back downstairs for breakfast.
"Hi Laurel." Conrad said, kissing Laurel on the cheek.
"Good morning, darling. How are you?" Laurel asked genuinely, while passing him a coffee.
"Yeah, never better. Definitely need this though" Conrad replied, while grading his coffee.
"So? How did the exams go." Laurel enquired with hardening her gaze.
"All things considered? I feel confident. Didn't screw it up. Might've even done well." Conrad said, flashing a smile in Belly's direction.
"Yeah, whatever, exams. MOM! We've got more important things going on. Conrad, get your ass in here now!" Steven yelled from the other room, over the sound of the Red Sox game on TV.
Belly watched in dismay as Conrad walked with ease into the next room and joined Steven on the couch. It was all so easy. So normal. Almost like it was meant to be this way all along. Everything would be perfect, if only Jere were sat on the couch with the boys. Belly couldn't help but feel slight unease at this final missing piece.