AllFreeNovel
Share Us
We both examine my mom's determined expression as we try to withhold a laugh.
"Where's Dad?" I ask, trying to change the topic.
"In the gym."
We chuckle at her statement.
My father is a workaholic. He was the first man to set up a sports program for children with behavioral problems. They combine sports and therapy. Children can come to his gym and use his techniques to resolve their issues alongside certified psychologists. Dad teaches karate and self-defense classes, and it's been a success from the start.
When I was young, I spent my free time in that gym. For years, I practiced a form of martial arts. That was before my business took off. Now I have no choice but to practice in my private gym at home.
Mom interrupts my train of thought. "How are my two kids doing? How much money did you raise with the auction last weekend, Amanda?"
"Oh, it was an amazing night, Mom. We raised twenty-five thousand dollars," she says, smiling from ear to ear until her eyes glance over at me. "And most of that was thanks to you, big brother."
"You were there?" my mother asks, surprise evident in her voice. She knows I'm not fond of big events.
"I asked him, and he came. He bid ten thousand dollars on Emma," Amanda adds with a wink.
I narrow my eyes at my sister, but she merely flashes me a satisfied smirk.
"You bid that much on a woman, Nick?" My mother's voice sounds even more surprised.
I nod my head and march towards the built-in coffee machine and make myself an espresso.
"Did she call you?" Amanda asks.
"Anyone else want a cup?" I ask, holding up an empty coffee mug. Both women shake their heads but stare at me—their expressions painted with suspicion and curiosity.
"I will interpret that as a no," Amanda continues. "Shame, I liked her. And her daughter is too cute."
"A daughter?" My mom's brows lift in surprise.
"Yeah, she nicknamed Nick 'Giant.'" Amanda smiles sweetly.
I turn around, bringing my coffee to my lips, and shoot Amanda a piss off stare. My fingers are squeezing the cup I'm holding, praying Amanda will not turn this into something bigger than it is.
My mother scans me as Amanda proceeds.
"Nick was dumbstruck by Emma, Mom. He couldn't speak a normal sentence in front of her."
My body tenses as I recall that moment.
"Amanda, stop teasing your brother," my mother says in a warning tone as she senses my struggle to keep my calm.
I put my coffee cup on the table, and without saying a word, I walk past them through the door into the backyard.
My shoes hike over the patch of green until I'm at the giant oak tree that's been there my whole life. I gaze over the pasture and the large pond as the sun shines over the grass and water. I pick up a stone lying on the ground and throw it through the air. With a splash, it lands in the fishpond and ripples the surface of the water.
"Still your favorite spot," my mom states as she stops beside me. We stay silent for a moment before she speaks.
"Are you okay, honey?"
I keep my eyes forward as I answer. "Yeah, I'm fine. A little confused, that's all."
"About the woman that Amanda mentioned?"
I can sense her eagerness to find out more information—my mom is a brilliant listener, she pays attention to people, and she can read between the lines with ease.
