Page 102 of Guarding My Love

“I can’t believe Braylon told you all of that,” he said.

“He didn’t,” his mother said. “Or I should say I pieced some things together when I found out there was a video of it. Which of course didn’t surprise me because you’re smart that way too.”

“I’m just trying to protect her,” he said.

“I can’t believe another one of my children is in love,” his mother said. “It makes me so happy. I think I’m going to come for a visit soon. I want to meet with Lily’s sister so we can go over the bridal shower plans in person.”

He should have figured his mother would be coming up in person.

Not that he thought she was using Lily’s shower as an excuse, but it felt like that in his book.

An excuse to meet Charlotte in person.

“And you’re going to want to meet Charlotte while you’re here?” he asked.

“Duh, Foster. Don’t be thick.”

He smirked over her sarcasm. “I’m sure she won’t have a problem with it. Though you’re much more intimidating than West is.”

“I try to be,” his mother said. “I taught him everything he knows.”

“You’re not conceited at all either,” he said.

“Nope,” his mother said. “How are things with Charlotte?”

“Good,” he said. “Great actually. I think they couldn’t be better, all things considered. It was touch and go after I tackled her ex.”

“I could see where that might bother someone,” his mother said.

“She has never been exposed to violence before. Not like that.” Though she did admit that Landon had grabbed her arm a few times when they were together. The night she’d broken up with him too.

She said she’d always hated the way it made her feel, but she stood her ground and Landon backed off.

He didn’t give her a chance to do it this time and he didn’t regret that for a minute.

Now she knew how to kick, knee, or throw a punch herself if she had to.

“She didn’t grow up in a household with six boys,” his mother said.

“No,” he said. “Lucky her.”

“Was it really that bad, Foster?” his mother asked. “I know it was loud. I know that there wasn’t a lot of privacy either. But I tried to make sure each child was heard.”

“You did,” he said. “You did a good job. We are all different and that made it hard.”

“That’s life,” his mother said. “No one said it’s easy. I’d like to think it made everyone stronger.”

“West had the least childhood of us all. I think Braylon, Laken, and I saw that.”

“And that is why the four of you are close now. In your own ways. He did a lot for you as kids and as adults and you are giving back just as much in your individual ways.”

“We are,” he said.

“And it doesn’t bother you too much to spend time with them,” his mother said, laughing. “Or maybe it’s being in love that you have more patience with everything else.”

“Could be that,” he said. “Hard to say. Things are moving fast for both of us.”

“You’re older now. Fast isn’t a bad thing. Your father and I were married within a few weeks. West came nine months after.”

---