AllFreeNovel
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“It’s not a big deal.” Moving closer, I grab one of the nachos and dip it into the sauce before tossing it into my mouth. Fuck, that’s good. “They seem like really great kids,” I mumble as I pick more food. “I’ll have to keep an eye on them. The quarterback has a good arm, and the Smith kid is a force to be reckoned with.”
She turns back to the stove and stirs the vegetables. “You sound like you had fun.”
“I did. Then again, hanging with kids is the best part of this job.”
“Well, we had fun too. We had company earlier.” The hair at my nape rises because I know what’s coming before she even finishes. I watch as she tilts her head, those sharp eyes looking at me and waging my reaction. “Rebecca stopped by to see your father.”
I try to keep my face neutral as I clear my throat. “Did she?”
“Mhmm… She baked some muffins for your dad. And he liked them too. Just don’t tell him they were carrot muffins because he’ll throw a fit.”
I snort out a laugh. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
“You do that.” She nods. “Such a nice girl.”
“Mom…”
She blinks, a picture of innocence. “What? I just say it as I see it. It was nice of her to visit and bring him something, was it not?”
“It sure was,” I agree, taking a step back. “I think I’ll go and take a shower.”
“Don’t take too long. Dinner will be ready soon.”
“Actually.” I rub at the back of my neck. “Would you mind packing them to go for me?”
“I didn’t realize you had plans.” She turns toward the stove, grabs the pot with the vegetables, and slides it into the meat, all innocent. “Should I just make enough for you?”
She was fishing for information, and she was shit at hiding it.
“As if you don’t know that I need enough for two.”
“Me?” Her brows rise. “And why would I know that? It’s not like my son shares anything with me, now does he?”
Her words are a silent jab, and not just about Rebecca either. It was about me leaving for college and not coming back. It was about me avoiding her phone calls because I didn’tknow how to talk to her. Because I didn’t want to make her choose.
But in the process, I only ended up hurting her more.
And still,still, she told me to come back home and didn’t say one word about it until now.
Shit, I really am an asshole.
I let out a long breath and closed the distance between us. Wrapping her in my arms, I press a kiss against the top of her head. “I’m sorry, Mom. I’d appreciate it if you could prepare enough for two.”
She tilts her head back and gives me a knowing look. “You know I can. Now, off with you.” She waves me off, her nose furrowing. “You really need to take that shower before you leave.”
“Are you telling me I stink?”
“I’m telling you that I raised you to be a gentleman and to put in some effort when you’re taking a woman out on a date.”
“It’s not a date, it’s…”
My words trail off, and Mom just raises her brows as she waits for me to finish, but nothing comes.
Mom shakes her head. “You two can tell yourself whatever you want, and you can try to sneak around all you want, but we all know better than that.”
“Oh, is that so?”
“It is so.” She cups my cheek, a soft smile playing on her lips. “You and Rebecca were inevitable from the time you were kids. Even when you were just friends, I could see the special bond you two shared. No matter where you went, she’d follow. Like the Moon and the Earth, always circling around each other. Now, off with you. I’m going to finish this so it’s ready when you come out of the shower. Don’t mess this up again, okay?”
