Page 12 of Last First Date

"We're going out," she said firmly.

"Mom, I'm not in the mood. I've had a long week, and I don't want to do this right now."

"Knox," she sighed. "Why don't we just get through dinner, and after that, you can do as you please?"

"Fine," I sighed. "What time?"

She smiled, her eyes lighting up, and for a fraction of a second, I could see the joy in her face. She was happy to have me back, and no matter how hard I fought it, that made something twist inside of me. "Seven-thirty."

"Sure," I grumbled, my shoulders slumping in defeat.

She reached out and smoothed some unruly hair back from my forehead. The motherly gesture reminded me of simpler times when I was still a kid. Before the fame, before the modeling, before the pressure of the Williams name had become too much to bear.

"Thank you," she said quietly. "We've barely had a chance to catch up since you've been back."

I nodded and trudged up the grand staircase. I knew she was lonely. Yes, she had a million friends, but they were all superficial. She lived in this big ass house with her parents. As far as I knew she wasn't seeing anyone. When I was young, we were close. I loved my mother, even if she could be a little overbearing at times. I sat in the chair and pulled out my phone to call my friend in Manhattan. It was a Friday night and almost nine o'clock. He was likely out at our usual club or at dinner with a lovely lady.

"Hey, Jack," I said when he finally picked up the phone. The bass of loud music vibrated through the speaker, humming in my ear. He was at the club. Jealousy hit me hard.

"Knox! Good to hear from you." His voice was as boisterous as ever. I could hear a woman's laughter in the background. Jack always knew how to enjoy life.

"Sounds like you're having fun," I commented dryly.

"You know it. I'm always ready for a good party, especially on a Friday night. How about you? How’s your first week back at home? Are you headed out to a club? Fresh meat!”

I groaned, running a hand through my hair. “There aren’t clubs here. There are bars, but it’s nothing like there.”

“Ah, poor guy! You’re missing out big time,” Jack teased.

The booming music in the background underscored his words, making the emptiness of the huge house I was living in feel even emptier and farther removed from life.

“Yeah, it’s real fun here,” I said, my sarcastic remark dripping with so much bitterness it could have curdled milk.

“But hey, at least you’re back with your family, yeah?”

“Yeah, that's one way to put it."

Jack laughed again. "It can't be that bad. You're a CEO. You have to put in the time now but look at the bigger picture."

"It's going to be a while before I can move the headquarters to New York."

"Is that still your plan?" he asked.

My eyes drifted to my bedroom door. I didn't want to risk my mother overhearing my plans. I knew it wasn't what the old regime wanted, but I was looking at the bigger picture. I knew what the company was capable of. If they let me make the changes I wanted, it would only make the company bigger, better, and a lot more profitable.

"Yeah," I said, my voice lowered. "But don't spread it around just yet. It’s still in the works."

"Your secret's safe with me," Jack assured. There was another burst of laughter in the background, and a feminine voice calling his name.

"Gotta go," he said quickly, and the call ended.

I stared at my phone for a long moment, listening to the silence. The distant ticking of a grandfather clock was mocking the silence.

We walked into the restaurant and were quickly shown to a table. My mother apparently knew everyone. She smiled, asked about their health or their kids, and promised to catch up with them later.

She was royalty in this place. She made sure she introduced me, lavishing praise on me about how proud she was that I was the acting CEO. I smiled politely. In this small town, I was the prodigal son returned. I had a different kind of fame here.

When the waitress came over to take our order, my mother ordered her usual filet mignon and house salad. She turned to me with an expectant look in her eyes. I sighed inwardly and ordered a porterhouse.