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But when you go through a breakup, you break up with that person’s family, too. Bellamy is the only Mitchell I’ve stayed on good speaking terms with, and that’s just because we knew each other fairly well from going to school together, before Bishop and I ever started dating.
Now, as Patty crosses the drive toward me, pure joy stretching wide on her face, I wish I were the type who could have easy conversation with anyone, like Bishop does, or Bellamy. Or Patty, for that matter. Instead, I stand there like a damn statue as Patty flings her arms around my shoulders.
“Hi, Mrs. Mitchell.”
“Hey there, sweetheart! It’s so good to see you!” She leans back, keeping her hands on my biceps and not even batting an eyelash at my awkward body language and grumbled greeting. “How’ve you been? Leah says your business is just booming.”
Some of the tension leaks out of my body, and I try not to be a robot as I reply.
“I’m good. And yeah, business is going well.”
“I’m so glad to hear that. You’ve always had such an incredible work ethic and so much talent in that tiny body of yours. It doesn’t surprise me in the slightest to hear it’s going well.”
“Thank you so much.”
“I’m assuming you’re here to see Bishop?” she says, her eyes flicking behind me, toward where I know he’s probably watching us from the garage.
I nod. “Yes, ma’am.”
“Well, I’ll get out of your hair, then. But I’d love for you to stay for dinner if you have the time. No pressure, of course.”
“Thanks, Mrs. Mitchell. I’m not sure if…”
She holds her hands up, stopping me. “No excuses either. If it doesn’t work out, that’s totally fine.”
I give her a tight smile, and she tugs me in for another hug.
“Good to see you, sweetie.” She lets go and waves in the direction of the garage. “I’m heading to get some groceries for dinner. I’ll be back in a bit,” she calls, then she winks at me and heads over to where her SUV sits a few feet away from where I parked.
I don’t watch her drive away. Instead, I spin around, looking at Bishop now walking toward me. Some of the anger I was feeling at hearing what Sam shared has now leaked out of me, but the reason I’m here still remains.
“Hey,” he says, his smile uncertain as he takes me in.
“Can we talk please?”
He nods then tilts his head toward the house. “Wanna come in?”
As I follow reluctantly in Bishop’s wake, we head through the front door then up the stairs to his bedroom. Memories flood my senses as I enter the room behind him, my eyes quickly roving over the dark blue bedding and the framed sports memorabilia on the walls. I’ve spent many afternoons in this room, many late evenings, studying and talking and making out.
But I can’t think about that. Not right now.
“Is everything okay?” Bishop asks.
Instead of beating around the bush, I just ask exactly what I want to know. “Did you give Sam Rush your blessing to ask me out?”
I can tell it’s the last thing he’s expecting me to say by the way his head jerks back in surprise.
“What?”
“Did you tell Sam Rush,” I repeat, my words firmer, my irritation from earlier beginning to resurface, “that he had your blessing to ask me out?”
Bishop blinks a few times then lifts both his hands. “I can explain.”
“It’s a yes-or-no question, Bishop.”
“Yes, okay? I did.”
I throw my hands in the air. “Are you fucking serious? I’m not your property. I’m not something you own that you can pass along to someone else.”
