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She rubs her forehead and sighs. “I don’t want to do that. I want you to use your trust to finish school, instead of taking the occasional class at the college. If anything, all of this with your dad taught me about the importance of getting an education and standing on your own two feet.”
“Mom, I’ll do whatever it takes to make your life easier. I can’t stand to see you so stressed. It kills me that dad did this to you. I remember your pretty dresses and expensive jewelry. That’s what you should have. Not constant worry over bills. I swear, sometimes I hate him. I wish he was around so I could punch the shit out of him.” I stand up to pace. “None of this should have happened if he hadn’t taken that money.”
“Son, language.” She grins and I can’t help but laugh. I’m twenty-years old and I’ve said a hell of a lot worse around her. She curses like a sailor too, something I’m sure she didn’t get from the country club set she once associated with.
“Sawyer, shit happens.” She shrugs. “I made some bad choices along the way too. It’s not all on your dad the way things turned out. I was a spoiled brat who thought nothing was more important than the next party. I should have worried more about being able to survive on my own, without someone taking care of everything. If I had, maybe I would have noticed things were off and I would have been able to stop your father.”
She tilts her head and emits a dry chuckle. “Now, fucking his secretary and taking the money was completely on him. All we can do is deal with the hand we were dealt.” She takes a steadying breath in. “I fell apart after everything went down and I’m not proud of that. I want you to lead your own life, and stop worrying about me. I want you to get an education, fall in love, get married, and all that good shit. I will find my own way. Stop worrying about your mama, and worry about you.”
I stoop down in front of her. “I couldn’t stop worrying about you no matter how much I tried. You were and are an excellent mother. I’ll worry about me if maybe you go out and take care of yourself. Get your nails done, go to the salon, take a day for yourself.”
Her eyes fill with tears. “You’re too good, baby boy. I’ll get a day of pampering soon, I promise.”
“I’m sure Frank would be willing to treat you.” My sly grin has her blushing. It’s no secret that my boss, Frank, has a huge crush on her. He lights up when she comes by the shop and is always asking me how she’s doing. I know that he’s asked her out in the past, but she always says no.
“If I’m going to be independent and worry less about you, maybe you should take some steps to start a new life too. A date with Frank might not be a bad way to start.” I raise my eyebrows.
She shoos me away. “Whatever, Sawyer. I’m too old to date. Let’s worry about you. What’s up with this girl you saved? Something about the way you say her name makes me think maybe there’s something there.” She tilts her head and gives me her ‘I’m going to pry it out of you even if I have to get the jaws of life’ look.
I can’t stop the smile that spreads across my face. “She’s amazing mom. So strong, but doesn’t think she is. Quirky and fun, and beautiful. And she doesn’t let me get away with anything.”
She grins back at me. “You really like her, kiddo. That’s good to see. I’ll have to meet her soon. Anyone that calls you on your shit and still likes you is good in my book. Just don’t be a jackass, son.”
I lift an eyebrow. “Why do you think I would be a jackass?”
She rolls her eyes and laughs. “Because you’re a man, son. You’re a good man, and one I’m proud that I raised, but even the best men are jackasses sometimes.”
Chapter Forty-Three
First dates suck. They’re awkward, and the guy ends up spending all of his money for a meal the girl doesn’t really eat. Next time, I’m taking my date to Taco Bell and saying the hell with it. I can never regret a 99 cent taco. -Dax
Sawyer
I step out of my truck and take a deep breath. My palms are sweaty. I dated a lot in high school (which mostly consisted of screwing the cheerleaders in the back seat), but I’m as nervous as I would be on a first date. I’ve never had to work to get a girl’s attention. Ronnie’s different. She doesn’t chase me relentlessly. I call and text her and she responds, but she doesn’t make me feel like she has nothing in her life but me. Half the time when I call her, she’s reading those romance books she loves so much.
The school board meeting is next week. My uncle called me into his office yesterday for another talk where he reiterated that I must ‘dump the girl’ soon. He wants me to show up at the school board and pretend to be some idiot who was just lying for his girl. I have no intention of doing that, but otherwise I don’t know what to do. After the talk with my mom, at least I know she will be okay no matter what.
I knock on Ronnie’s front door and her dad answers. After all we have been through the last week and with me being a witness against my cousin, he and I have come to a kind of a truce. That basically means he doesn’t want my hands anywhere on his daughter, but he won’t forbid us from seeing each other. I call that a win.
He nods at me. “Come on in, Sawyer. Ronnie’s still upstairs getting ready.” I step in and close the door behind me. “Come sit at the table with me, Sawyer. There’s a few things I would like to talk to you about, anyway.”
Well, shit. Now, I’m dripping sweat. I sit down at the small table and wipe my hands on my dress pants.
“Would you like something to drink? I can get you some water.”
“That’s fine, sir. Thank you, sir.” I can see he tries not to smile at all the sirs I’m dishing out.
He hands me a glass of water and sits down. “Sawyer, I’ve heard of your reputation at the school before you graduated.” I wince and he laughs. “No, no it’s not that bad. Your teachers thought you were a pretty good student. They felt like you were a smart kid who probably could have done better given more encouragement at home. That’s not all that unusual. Of course, you were a legend on the football field.”
He looks me in the eye and I know he can see the sweat gathering on my forehead. “I’ve heard about your father and I want to let you know that the sins of the father should never be blamed on the son. I also have seen a depth of character in you and the way you treat Ronnie that surprises me in someone your age. You stood up for my little girl when I wasn’t there to do it.” I can tell by the tone of his voice that he’s still shaken up by what happened.
“Thank you, sir. I care a lot about Ronnie. She’s a great girl.”
“She is.” He pins me with a dark glare. “As much as I have approved of how you have treated her so far, I do still have some reservations. I’ve also heard about your reputation with the girls when you were in high school.”
“Sir, I...”
He holds a hand up. “No need to explain. I was young once too.”
