Page 47 of Pretty Relentless

Do I want Gavin?

The answer is a resounding yes.

Rules be damned.

Chapter Fourteen

Gavin

After dropping Annabelle off with her mom for the next week, I head to the grocery store to stock up on food. I’m a pretty simple guy during the weeks I don’t have my daughter. Hell, I keep it simple on the weeks I have her. When it’s just me though, I tend to cook only a few larger meals, making enough to eat the leftovers a day or two afterward. My favorite is in the summer when I can grill, preparing plenty of meat for a few days at a time, and since Annabelle is a huge fan of hamburgers and hot dogs, they’re a staple for us anytime I can fire up the ol’ gas grill.

Today, however, I stick to just a few of the basics, mostly because my mind is on Ava, not prepping for lunches and dinners for this week. Besides, I’m an optimistic guy, so I can’t help but wonder how much of my time I’ll get to spend with Ava. I mean, there’s no sense in buying for the whole week if I’m going to be able to enjoy her company a night or two.

I grab bread, lunch meat, and cheese since sandwiches are quick and easy lunches while I’m working, and then head over to the fresh meat section. Even though our grocery store is small and family owned, the meat comes from area farms. It may cost a bit more to support local, but the benefits outweigh a few extra cents per pound. Plus, we know exactly where the meat is coming from, not being shipped in like the big box chains in Hudson.

I find a package of ground beef, sausage, and a couple of pork chops that don’t expire right away and toss them into the cart. Just as I’m turning into the aisle with the alcohol, I hear a familiar voice from behind.

“Well, if it isn’t my handsome son.”

I stop, making sure my cart is out of the way for anyone passing, and give my mom a big smile. “Well, hello, beautiful,” I greet, leaning forward and pressing a kiss to her cheek.

“I was just grabbing everything for beef and noodles and mashed potatoes for dinner tonight. Would you like to join us?” she asks.

“Uhh, I can’t.” I don’t know why, but my heart is starting to beat a little harder in my chest. It’s not like I’m doing anything wrong, but I know how private Ava is, and I don’t want to be the one blurting it out in the middle of the grocery store on a Saturday morning.

Mom watches me for a few seconds before a slow smile spreads across her lips. She leans toward me and whispers, “Do you have a date?”

I barely get the confirmation out of my mouth when her eyes widen with delight and she asks, “Who?”

“None of your business, Nosy Nelly,” I tease, glancing around to make sure anyone nearby can’t overhear.

Her hazel eyes the same color as my own narrow. “Don’t hold out on your mother. That’s just rude.”

Chuckling, I lean forward and rest my elbows on the handle of the shopping cart. “It’s pretty new, Mom.”

Holding up her hands, she replies, “Okay, okay, I get it. New means you’re going to keep private about it. Fine. Have your secrets.”

“It’s not that it’s a secret, really; just new.”

“Well, I think it’s great, nonetheless. You don’t put yourself out there very much when it comes to the opposite sex.”

My eyebrows draw up. “Seriously?”

She shrugs her delicate shoulders and smiles. “You’re always having a beer with that nice young man who works foryou, Max. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, but it’s nice to know you’re slipping in the occasional female variety.”

“Jesus,” I grumble.

“I’m not saying you can’t be gay!”

My eyes widen, because she sure as shit said that a hell of a lot louder than she should have.

“I would support you,” she insists.

“Mom,” I whisper-yell.

“I’m saying I would support and love you despite your sexuality,” she states, nodding toward old Mrs. Perkins who rounds the corner and stares at me and Mom.

Mrs. Perkins takes her sweet-ass time walking past us. Could be because she’s pushing eighty and doesn’t get around as easily as she used to, or it’s the more likely scenario and she’s being nosy and hoping to catch the moment I come out of the closet in the middle of the supermarket.

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