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I’m a fucking mess, mudall over my boots and jeans.
Not the way I wanted to meet her again for the first time. Wasn’t expecting her face at the door, but I’m not surprised by the stern look she’s throwing my way. She hasn’t changed much—still rocking the I will cut you if you even try to corrupt my daughter look, with a smile.
“Good evening, Mrs. McQueen.” I greet her with my most respectful tone and a smile.
She looks over my shoulder, where the boys are running around, pretending to crash into each other with high-pitched sound effects, before she says anything to me. “Hello, Landon.”
“The boys are hopped up on the fun of the monster trucks. You’re here, so I guess Lacey’s not back from work. I wasn’t expecting to see you.”
“I’m sure you weren’t.” She continues to stare at me.
I nod, pushing my hands in my pockets. It doesn’t get any more uncomfortable than this, does it? “Well—”
“Well, Lacey’s inside.” She cuts me off. “I’m down here often making sure she and my grandson are okay. I would invite you in, but it’s late.”
I chuckle at her not-so-subtle attempt to get rid of me. “Yes, it is, 7:30 at night.”
“My grandson needs his rest from all the excitement today. So does his mother.”
I’m not sure she has taken a decent breath or blinked since she answered the door. “I understand you perfectly, Mrs. McQueen.”
“Good. Lacey, dear,” she calls behind her.
I look away from her mother, and there she is, behind her, leaned up against the couch, watching the exchange between her mother and me. She gives me a smile as her shoulders shrug up. Yeah, I know. Her mother’s a cross between a hoverer and a rip-your-head-off mama bear. That hasn’t changed.
The boys rush in, and I grab Jackson before he gets too far past the door. I shake my head at him in silent rebuke for his lack of manners.
Jacob grabs his grandmother’s hand, giving her a short version of what they did. “Hi, Mom. Grandma, it was the best day ever, ever, ever, ever! The cars, the mud—it was awesome. Landon let us get anything we wanted. I ate cotton candy bigger than my body.”
“Oh, my word. Bigger than your body?” she says, eyes wide like saucers, looking at her grandson.
“Honest, Grandma.” He holds his hand up.
“I can’t wait to hear all about it. Say goodnight to Jackson. You can tell me while you get ready for your bath.”
“Okay, Grandma.” He comes back over and takes his bag of souvenirs from Jackson. “See you, Jackson.”
“Bye, Jacob.”
They shake hands with a special handshake they made up. He turns to me with the biggest smile, and I can’t help but smile back. “Landon, thanks for taking us. I had a lot of fun. Could we do it again? Me, you and Jackson, go somewhere?”
“Sure. As soon as my ears recover from monster trucks. We can if your mom says yes.”
“She will.” He wraps his arms around my waist, and I hug him back. It’s a good feeling. “Thanks, Landon”
“We had fun too, Jacob. Bye.” He really is a great kid. I watch as he goes with his grandmother, walking past Lacey, who kisses the top of his head.
She comes over to us, mussing Jackson’s hair in greeting. “You guys have fun?”
“Yes,” Jackson says.
“I’m bummed I missed out.” She gives him a faux pout. “Maybe next time I’ll be able to hang out with you guys?”
“Sure.” He smiles.
“Hey, bud, why don’t you go wait in the truck?”
“Okay, dad. Bye, Jacob’s mom.”
