Page 28

Chapter Thirteen

Weston

The kitchen smelled of burnt cheese when I returned home from dinner at Bridges’. Mom stood by the stove, turning a grilled cheese sandwich and stirring tomato soup in a small saucepan.

“Mom? Everything okay?”

Mom sighed. “I spoke to Edmond today. Seems the attorney I’m working for doesn’t care for me as an assistant. I was laid off today, and Edmond said there’s not another open spot at the firm. I’ll find another job, okay. Don’t worry.”

I sat down at the counter across from her. “He did what?”

The thing that mattered the most to me was that my mother was taken care of. Hadn’t Edmond promised me he’d see to it?

“It’s not his fault, Weston. Edmond’s a partner at a law firm, but he doesn’t run it. They may not always have openings, but he said he’d keep me in mind if he heard of one.”

I reached for my phone because that wasn’t the fucking deal I’d struck with my father’s brother. Edmond gave me the impression he’d take care of my mother until I could do it, but now, he was telling her he didn’t have a spot for her at his fucking law firm? Oh, that wouldn’t work.

“Mom, he promised me he’d make sure you were okay for the year until the year is up and I prove myself to the board. I’m paying him back. You know the deal. I’m going to call him and find out what the hell is going on.”

Mom stared at me for a moment before she smiled. “Weston, I don’t need you to take care of me. I’ll find a job, son. I’ll be fine.”

I sucked in a breath. “I promised Dad I’d take care of you, Mom. I love you, and I’ll—”

“You’ll take care of yourself, Weston. I don’t need Edmond’s help, okay?” She put the burned sandwich on a plate and set it in front of me. I hadn’t texted her that I was eating at Bridges’ house, so she’d made me something to eat, which was sweet.

“Mom, that’s not true, okay? This is serious.”

May Aames stared at me for a moment before she laughed without humor. “Weston, son, I’ve taken care of myself for years before I married your father. I fell in love with him, but there were complications, as you well know. I’ll take care of myself, Weston, and you worry about you. You’re working very hard, I know, but you need to take some time for fun.”

Mom went into the bathroom, closing the door. A minute later I heard water rushing into the tub. Her favorite thing was to take a soak with bubbles, candles, and some relaxing music. I felt guilty that she didn’t get to do it more.

Take some time for fun? I had the pressure of a million pounds on my shoulders to ensure my mother was going to be okay. I loved my dad, but I wanted to pummel him into the pavement for what he did to her.

Maybe I wasn’t the best son for him? I was a spoiled brat, for sure, but I cared about my parents. Perhaps I let Claude down while I was in my teens. I didn’t mean to do it, but how many kids had their shit together at eighteen?

My phone chimed on the island counter with a text.

West—I wanted to tell you that if you don’t want to deal with the messenger job, I’ll hire you here for a salary, not just to bank hours. There are administrative things that you could do that Alexis and I both dislike. Think about it. We can discuss it tomorrow. Bridges

I had a damn MBA so I should be able to do any tasks he required, but I knew someone else who could do administrative tasks better than me. I sent him a response.

I’ll weather through at Superior, but if you need someone to handle admin stuff, my mom needs a job. Edmond was supposed to have an opening for her at his law firm, but the position was filled. Mom won’t accept financial assistance from you without doing something in return, so if you still want to help us, could you hire her? West

Three dots appeared and disappeared several times before my phone rang. I checked the screen to see it was Bridges. “Hello?”

“Hey. I read your text, and I’m surprised. You said you and your mother would figure things out, so are you not having luck?”

I sighed. “She was counting on Uncle Edmond to help her find a job, but he told her the guy she worked for didn’t like her style. I’ll keep working at the messenger service, but Mom could really use the job. Her experience is great, but it’s not current. She didn’t go back to work after she had me, but she’s really smart, Bridges. She can come up to speed in record time, I swear.”

Yes, I was begging, but I’d do anything for her. She’d kill me if she knew what I was asking of him, even if it was a good opportunity for her.

He didn’t answer for a moment, which had me worried that I’d pushed him too far. I definitely didn’t want to upset him after he’d already done so much for me.

“You know what? Never mind, Bridges. I’m putting you in a bad spot, so forget I asked. I need to go. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

I hung up just as Mom came back into the kitchen in her bathrobe. “You want a glass of wine?” She opened the fridge and pulled out the bottle of wine she’d opened the previous night.

“No thanks. I’m going to shower and turn in early. Night, Mom. Love you.” I kissed her cheek and grabbed my phone before going upstairs. Why was life fucking with me?