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He ignored his mother’s voice and kept going to the front door, but Mae pulled on his hand before they stepped outside, making him stop.
His mom hurried up to them, her expression contrite. “Your father and I only want what’s best for you, honey.”
And what was best? Him feeling like shit in front of the whole family? He clenched his jaw and didn’t reply. Because really, what else was new?
She sighed softly as she glanced between them. “I wish you wouldn’t go. I’d love the chance to get to know you better, Mae, especially since I didn’t know the two of you were dating.”
“We only started about four hours ago, Mom, so ease up.”
Her eyebrows rose.
Mae made a sound of disbelief and pulled her hand free from his.
Fuck.
“We’re seeing how things go, Mrs. Diamond, but if Merit is going to be an ass about things, it’s not going to go well.”
That last bit was directed at him with a chin lift and a warning tone that had him fisting his hand on the door handle.
“I’m not trying to stir things up here,” his mom said. “I just wanted to let you both know I’m happy about your news. Maybe you didn’t plan for it to happen, but I really respect that you’re stepping up to take responsibility. Both of you.” She moved forward and pulled Mae into a hug. “And please, call me Janine. We’ll be seeing a lot of each other in the future.”
“Thank you, Janine.”
“I’m now twice as excited about being a grandma.”
She genuinely sounded like it, too. They shared a smile when Mae stepped back, and then his mom turned to him and reached to take his hands, tugging a bit to get him to let go of the door. “Your dad will come around. And if you need anything”—she squeezed his hands as her voice lowered—“anything at all, just let me know. Okay?”
Anything meant money. Perfect. As if he hadn’t been humiliated enough already, now his mom was offering to carry his sorry ass right in front of Mae. He couldn’t look like more of a loser if he tried.
“Thanks, Mom, but I’m good.” He gave her a brief hug and swung the door wider for Mae to go first. “See you later.”
On the drive to Mae’s house, he kept his attention focused straight ahead on the road. She sat over there in the passenger seat, staring out the window without saying a word. The knot in his stomach wound tighter and tighter the longer she remained silent. After the scene at brunch, he could just imagine what she was thinking.
Loser.
Mooch.
Not only that, but she’d told his mom it wasn’t going well. She might as well have just said it was over before it truly started. And like everything else, that was his fault, too.
When he pulled into the driveway, he put the SUV in park, but didn’t turn it off or make a move to get out.
Mae twisted slightly toward him. “I’m sorry I screwed that up,” she said quietly.
“It’s not your fault.” He kept one hand on the steering wheel and stared straight ahead. “I should’ve expected it.”
“I don’t think anyone really expected that. Your dad…”
“Actually, I did, but I had hoped for better with you there.”
“I completely misunderstood your mom—”
“Don’t. It’s not your fault,” he insisted. He reached to squeeze her hand, but kept his gaze downcast. “My dad’s an ass sometimes. Today more so than usual.”
“Well, I’m still sorry.” She tilted her head slightly. “You want to come in and talk about it?”
Oh, hell no. She might ask him about his job—the one that didn’t exist—and he didn’t want to lie again. “I have to get going. After being gone all day yesterday, I have a few things to get done this afternoon.”
Thought you didn’t want to lie again?
