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He chuckles. “Oh, I know she is. Especially when I bought her a house in Florida so that she could retire without any worries. I even set up a bunch of stocks for her so that she has a shit ton of money each month.”
My poor heart. It’s just not ready for him to say things like that. “That’s really sweet of you to do that for her,” I whisper, looking down at my hands, trying to dislodge the lump in my throat.
“Nah, not really. After everything she did raising us and how much she gave up to make sure that we had what we needed, it was the least I could do,” he says absentmindedly while still fiddling with my phone. “Now if I could just get rid of her damn boyfriend, I’d be happy,” he mumbles.
I look up and blink a few times. “Is he mean to her?” I know that he isn’t because the man in front of me would never allow anyone to hurt his mom in any sort of way. His love for her is obvious.
His snort makes me jump slightly. “Do you think he’d still be around if he was?” The way he saidaroundmakes part of me wonder if he just means near his mom or something else. But some things are best left unknown.
“No,” I shake my head, “but that’s the only reason I could see you not wanting him around your mom.” I give him an innocent look, but I know good and well why he doesn’t like him. He’s a momma’s boy through and through, and he doesn’t want any man near her.
He purses his lips and then frowns at me, it’s more of a pout, but for his dignity, I’ll call it a frown. “He’s just not good enough for her. She deserves much better,” he says as petulantly as humanly possible.
“Why?” I tilt my head with a questioning look. “What about him makes him not good enough?”
“He’s just not,” he sputters, looking kind of flustered.
“Does your mom think he isn’t good enough for her or that he doesn’t treat her well?” I blink slowly.
His eyes narrow on me. “What are you getting at?” he grumbles, honest to God grumbles at me. He’s looking at me like I somehow betrayed him because I didn’t automatically agree with him that this poor man isn’t making his mom happy. I mean, I’m a daddy’s girl and always have been, so I get it. If my parents ever got divorced, I would dislike any other woman, but I wouldn’t try to get rid of her.
“Just that if he seems to make your mom happy, maybe you should give him a chance. She’s old enough to make her own decisions on who she wants to spend her time with,” I say gently to the pouting giant in front of me.
His eyes turn to tiny slits. “Did she get to you somehow? Get Edge to tell you to say that crap?”
I blink rapidly and frown. “Has it occurred to you, if she and I are saying something similar enough for you to believe that “she got to me,”that maybe you should start listening and try giving him a chance?”
He gives me a blank look. “No, I’d rather just get rid of him.”
“Is that what your mother wants?” I ask sweetly, knowing it’s not.
“No, she seems to like him for some reason. I can’t figure out why.” It’s like talking to a brick wall of muscle.
I walk closer to him and gently put my hand on his forearm, while trying to ignore the sparks going through my body. “Maybe because you’ve never given him a chance. Maybe you should try getting to know him and see what your mom sees in him.”
I can see a muscle in his cheek move. “I’d prefer not.”
I purse my lips. This man is in his thirties and is acting like a damn child. I swear, men never fully grow up. My mom has said that about my father all my life but, I’m truly understanding it right this moment. I have no idea what comes over me but something in me kind of snaps. I fold my arms across my chest and tap my foot.
“Will you knock it off, you big baby,” I growl making his eyes go wide. “Your mom is happy with this man. That’s the only thing that matters. He makes her happy and probably treats her very well. You need to get over yourself and get to know him for your mom. Do you think it makes her feel good to know that you dislike him, because I’m sure you’ve made no secret about it. Suck it up, buttercup, and learn to like him for your mom’s sake,” I huff and shake my head at the man in front of me.
I turn on my heel and start mixing ingredients together while studiously ignoring the man standing there with his mouth hanging open. I have no idea what came over me, but someone had to say it to him. Granted it was probably extremely stupid to yell at a large man, while alone in his house with him. But I know he would never hurt me. And he still seems too stunned to even respond, which is fine by me. He is being an over-grown baby pouting because his mom has a boyfriend. Honestly, it’s ridiculous. But, at least, I finally found something about him that isn’t absolutely perfect.
With that thought, I start humming to myself and continue on cooking.
“All the apps are set up on your phone. You have complete control of most of the things in the house.” He coughs into his hand. “I’m just gonna go work in the living room so that I don’t get in your way.”
“Okay,” I say while measuring and rinsing some black beans.
From the corner of my eye, I can see him rub the back of his head. “Ah, just let me know if you need anything, or help, ya know.” He looks so awkward right now.
I give him my full attention and give him a small smile. “All right. I’ll yell if I need you.”
“Right, that’s good,” he says while walking backwards from the kitchen.
Once he’s gone, I shake my head ruefully and sigh. Dammit even his one flaw is still slightly endearing. He just loves his momma and wants the best for her. My heart isn’t ready for him being practically perfect. Couldn’t he at least have buck teeth or something? Anything that could make me continue to avoid him like syphilis?
In reality, I have a bad feeling it’s already too late.
