Page 8 of Glitch

“Mama, wait. I need to talk to you alone.” She raises her eyebrow at me.

“You know I don’t keep nothing from your daddy. But fine. NEVER MIND!” I lower the volume on my phone so the whole clubhouse doesn’t hear her screaming all the way from Texas.

My mama took the whole everything is bigger in Texas thing to heart. Her hair, attitude, and mouth should be on the signs for the state logo. I chuckle as she walks through the house into her sunroom before sitting down on her swing to listen to my problems.

“Tell me what ales you boy.” She’s ready to go to war for me, just like she was when I was a scrawny kid being bullied in school.

“I’m a grown man, Ma. I can fight my own battles now.” She sucks her teeth at me.

“Why you on my phone then?” I roll my eyes, and she starts in on me.

“KOOPER ALEXANDER JUSTICE! Don’t you roll your eyes at me? Now stop mocking me and tell me what’s wrong before I get a flight to New Orleans.” I stop mimicking her and frown.

“I’m in Reno, Mama.” She opens her mouth and then closes it.

“Wow, I think that’s the first time I’ve seen you search for words.” I grin at her.

“Do not sassy me, boy. You may be almost thirty, but you ain’t too grown for an ass whooping.” I nod, knowing she’ll still slap me upside my head, but she’ll need to get a step stool first.

“Yes, ma’am,” She hums to herself and then stares at me to wait me out.

It’s like she’s a human lie detector. She just knowns when I’m trying to keep things from her and she’s got a knack of just pulling it out of me without saying a word.

“She’s thinking of having a baby,” I admit to her, embarrassing fast.

“I see.” She frowns in thought.

My mother is my confidant. She knows everything. All my dark, dirty secrets. Some of the clubs, too. She’s like a fucking vault. She listens, offers her opinion, and lets me make up my own mind without any judgment. If anyone can help me figure out this mess, she can.

So naturally, when I realized I was in love with a woman that would never return that affection, I ran my ass home to Texas to cry on my Mama’s shoulder. I’ll never forget what she said to me.

“Baby, life, and love have a way of surprising you. Never give up on either.”

“I offered to father one.” The words spill out of my mouth so quickly I can’t filter them.

Her eyes widen, and she clutches her throat.

“Oh my. Well, the deed is done then.” Her face betrays her true thoughts on the matter.

She’s fit to be tied.

If I were in front of her right now, I’d be fearing for my life. I cringe at the thought of her wailing on me with her fly swatter. That fucker stings.

“Kooper?” I look up at my screen and find that her face has softened some.

“I know you’re a man of your word. I raised you to be honorable, but baby, this is a big decision that will tie your lives together forever. Are you sure it’s what you want?” I bite my lip to stop me from spitting nails at her.

It’s not her fault Lacey will never love me.

“Ya, mama, I’d give that woman anything.” She huffs something very unladylike under her breath and then nods once.

“So I reckon you’re just calling home to let us know we’ll be grand parents in the near future?” I wish it were that simple.

“Um, it’s a tad more complicated than that?” Her brow frows.

“Kooper, I’m a simple woman, but even I know how they make babies in labs nowadays. What’s so complicated?” Never in my wildest nightmares would I think I’d be discussing this with my mama.

My father chooses that moment to enter the room and hug my mama from behind.

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