AllFreeNovel
Share Us
As she keeps rambling about how love is love, I take a deep breath, trying to keep my cool and not go off on the woman who gave me life. I’m an asshole to everyone but her. I’m pretty sure she’d strangle me if I treated her like that. She is the sweetest woman, but can be a total savage when disrespected.
“Yes, it’s a girl. It’s pretty new. I didn’t want to tell you until I knew for myself that it was going to work out.” As much as I love my mom, she wouldn’t keep her mouth shut even if her life depended on it. If I let it slip to her that this arrangement with Tara is fake, the whole city would know in a matter of two hours. I can’t let that happen.
“I can’t believe you didn’t tell me. I’m your mother. Am I the last to know? I feel like I’m always the last one to find out anything going on in your life.” Disappointment laces her tone, making me hate myself even more than I already do.
“I know. I should’ve told you before now. But she’s a great girl—you’re going to love her.” God, I hope she does. Tara can’t go two seconds without having an attitude, so I don’t know how she’s going to be around my mom.
“How did you meet her, honey?”
“She manages a restaurant on the West Side, Star of India. I met her while eating there one day.” Not a total lie. I’m telling my mom half the backstory I’ve narrated in my head, but I’m hoping to keep Tara’s poor upbringing from my colleagues as long as possible. The story we’re going to tell isn’t too far from the truth, because it’ll be easier to keep from slipping up.
“Ohh, I love that place! You know your father would never let us be seen on that side of Craibridge, but I’d have Gregory sneak me food from there sometimes. Oh, maybe I’ve met her before!” Gregory was one of their butlers. My father had a ridiculous amount of staff to keep up appearances. When he died, Mom decided to downsize, finding them new places to work, but she kept Gregory around. He’s always been her favorite.
My mom, despite being married to my father for thirty years, is a nonjudgmental, kind woman. You’d think that someone who’s been living fancy on the East Side for that long would pick up those disgusting snobby traits. Like I have. But she hasn’t; she still holds firm in her roots from the West Side. My father always tried to make her forget where she came from, but she never gave it up.
“So when am I going to meet my future daughter-in-law?”
“Soon, I promise.” Rush turns into my driveway and pulls into the garage.
“Are you even going to tell me her name?”
“Her name’s Tara. Look, Mom, I just got home. I’ve gotta go—I’ll call you later.”
“Okay. I love you, honey. I can’t wait to meet your girl.”
Yeah, that girl who’s going to be the bane of my existence, with her sassy mouth and tempting body.
“Love you, Ma. I’ve got to go here, but she’s excited to meet you too.” I’ll appease my mom for now. I’m sure Tara can pretend to be nice if I bribe her with something she can’t refuse.
“I hope she lets me help plan. I know it’s usually the bride and her family that do that sort of thing, but it would be so sweet if I could be included.” She’s rambling again.
“I’m sure she will. See you soon.” I hang up before she can start up another conversation, like she usually does. I usually have to say goodbye at least ten times before my mother lets me hang up, so I’ve started ending the call or pretending I lost service, like the terrible son I am.
Closing my eyes, I lean my head back against the headrest and let out a heavy sigh. What a fucking day. That call was rough, but at least it’s done. I know that won’t be the end of it with my mom, but I can at least breathe now.
I climb out and head inside. A buzzing sound hits my ears as soon as I walk through the door. One that I know far too well.
That fucker.
“Reilly, I swear, if you’re doing what I think you’re doing...” I call, threatening my best friend. I don’t even have to see him to know what he’s doing. I swear he’s in this house more than I am.
Silence from him. He must not be able to hear me over the buzzing.
“Good luck with that one,” Rush says, patting my back before disappearing down the hall toward the security room.
I’m gonna need it—my best friend is crazy. I throw my bag down on the entryway table, taking a deep breath before I walk into god knows what. Loosening my tie, I walk into the dining room where my suspicions are confirmed.
I stop in front of Reilly, glaring down at him until he notices me and shuts off the machine. “Are you serious? Again? I should change the fucking locks. You have your own place for a reason, dammit.”
He grins at me, setting the tattoo gun down on the expensive walnut table. “Yeah man,” he says, motioning to the brand new rose tattoo on his thigh. Just looking at the beautiful, intricate shading of the petals, I know this one is for my mom. Roses, for her name and her favorite flower. They’ve always had a special relationship, and I know he’d do anything for her. But I can’t help but be angry that he always does this in my house. “Besides, if you locked me out, Mariana would just let me in. She loves me more.”
At least this time I didn’t walk in on him tattooing another skull on a man's ass.
Crossing my arms over my chest, I ask, “Why do you do this?”
He smirks, giving me a wink. “Don’t trust anyone else on myself. Only use my buddy Squid when it’s absolutely necessary.”
I roll my eyes at the mention of the nut job he keeps around his shop. “I can’t believe you’re friends with that guy. He’s certifiably insane.” The guy tried to tattoo his eyeball once—now he’s blind in that eye.
