“I have.” He didn’t shy away from the topic even though he and Dev were stuck in this day-by-day relationship, not looking too far into the future.
Dev had never verbally committed to him but every one of his actions showed he was in it for the long haul. Hopefully.
“Do you remember the boy who jumped in the fight I had when I was younger?”
“Yes?” she said, clearly confused. “I thought he was in Dallas. Did he move?”
“No, but we reconnected.” Cash wished he could tell her everything. She’d listen and be proud of the job he’d done. He paused in his explanation, his heart needing her to know the extent of his feelings for Dev. “It’s more than reconnected. I’m in love with him. He’s got two girls. We’re together, I guess. It’s complicated but feels right.”
“So this change you want to make is for you to be with him?” she asked, piecing together the parts he hadn’t said.
“Yeah. What do you think?” He closed his eyes when she paused on the other end.
“Would you move to Dallas?” she asked, sounding hopeful.
“Yeah, I guess. Or maybe we’ll move somewhere else if I can find a way to make him love me back,” he answered, admitting his biggest concern as if it were nothing.
“Have you met yourself, son?” she asked, chuckling. “How could he not love you?”
“You’re my mom. You have to say that.” He grinned, losing himself to the sweet moment.
“That might be true, but I still see you clearly. You’re a good, kind, gentle man. He’d be a fool not to want you. When can I meet them?” she asked as if she had no doubts about his next course of action.
He hadn’t known how badly he needed a confidence boost. His heart clung to the hope she had given. Simple words filled with love and certainty. He squared his shoulder, sitting straighter on the mattress. “I don’t know, Mom. I’m really trying hard to make him feel something for me. His life’s difficult. He doesn’t come from the kind of home I had. He’s distrustful and hard, but we’re good together. He makes me patient. When we’re together, all I want’s his happiness.” He chuckled as mental images of the different Devs played across his mind. “He’s really extraordinary. Foul-mouthed.” Cash’s lip quirked in a small smile. “You won’t like that.”
“As long as it’s not you speaking that way, I’m fine with it,” she said. “Besides, I owe him for saving your life. He kept my boy alive and changed the way your dad and I saw life. We’re better people thanks to him. He can talk however he wants to. He was blond, correct? A cute kid. Did that hold true as a man?”
Cash’s smile broadened. “He’s the most handsome man in the world. He’s a tattoo artist. He’s covered in them. Mom, he’s exceptional with the ink machine.”
“Your dad has a tattoo,” his mother said, reminding him about the simple cross he had inked on his pec. “Can you transfer your job to Dallas?”
“Well, that’s what I wanted to talk to you about. How hard would it be on you and Dad if I didn’t send you money for a few months?” He felt like a heel for asking even if she sing-songed a laugh at him.
“Son, you’re the one who insisted we take your money, but we don’t need it. The truck was a sweet present but we’re fine financially. Your money’s sitting in the bank, drawing interest, so when you need it, we have it there for you. Make your move. Follow your heart. Daddy and I are doing just fine.” She couldn’t have surprised him more had she tried.
“What?” he asked, needing time to process what she was saying. “No, Mom. I wanted that money to help give you and Dad a better life. I’ve been sending it to you for years, thinking it helped you. It helped me, knowing you were better cared for.”
“My life’s just fine like it is,” she explained, as if he were silly. “That’s your money. We love you for thinking of us but we’re just fine. Truly blessed.”
Joe stuck his head through the bedroom door, smiling, saying quietly, “She quit.”
He had no reference point but the giant grin on his partner’s face was a good sign.
“Is that your man?” his mother asked.
He lifted a finger to Joe, asking for a moment. “No, it’s someone I work with,” he answered, getting to his feet. “They need me. I gotta go. Thank you for the conversation. I’ll call you back in a few days.”
“Follow your heart, Cashin,” she said quickly. “It won’t steer you wrong. I love you.”
“Me too. Bye, Mom,” he said and ended the call.
When he saw the connection had dropped, he lifted his gaze to Joe who busted all the way in excitedly. “The Dallas DA put in her resignation last night. It’s all over the morning news,” Joe explained, walking backward down the hall as Cash came forward. Shanna stood in the living room, also grinning broadly with one monitor turned, pointing toward the center of the room. A local anchor was efficiently broadcasting the news.
“She’s under federal investigation for a host of crimes,” Shanna said proudly. She lifted a hand for a quick high five as Cash came to stand beside her, staring at the monitor.
“I’d say that’s probably something we should have known before it hit the morning news, but it seems a redundant argument at this point,” Joe muttered, standing next to Cash.
He went to the keyboard, using the controls to up the volume. “Did they state her reason for leaving?” he asked as the reporter pivoted to another story.
