Page 33 of Undone

I pounded my fists on the steering wheel before turning the truck on. In the rearview, I noticed Vasyl tailing me. I might be pissed to all hell at Will, but he still made sure my back was protected.

The truck climbed the hills easily. I was at Ma’s front gate in no time. I pressed the gas pedal. Rocks sprayed from under the tires before I slammed on the brakes, putting it into park.

I let myself in. The smell of bacon frying, and fresh coffee percolating, teased my nose. My heavy boots clanked across the floor. I didn’t bother taking them off. I wouldn’t be staying long. I was anxious to get north—to my girl.

Our eyes met as I entered the kitchen.

Ma didn’t say a word as she shoved a plate piled high in my hands. I took a seat at the counter while she poured steaming coffee into a mug already placed there.

“He treats me like a queen.”

“He goddamn better,” I muttered.

“When am I going to meet this girl who tamed my wild son? I heard she shaved you.”

“Will has a big mouth.”

“He does,” she smirked.

My fork clattered to my plate. She was baiting me. My own mother, who for years was as mute as a mouse.

“I’m going to Springdale today. I’m bringing her back with me.”

“For good?”

“I wish,” I snorted. “Luce talks tough but she’s as skittish as a newborn filly. I want to show her the clubhouse, my home—my life here in California. I need to see her here in it.”

“Are you going to bring her here?”

“Probably not. She thinks I’m the newest king of Creed, not Wall Street.”

“Are you afraid she’ll see dollar signs?”

“No. Luce isn’t like that. This is your life Ma—not mine. If Luce is gonna be with me she needs to see how I chose to live—in a clubhouse with minimal furniture and a fridge stocked full of beer and take out.”

Ma rolled her eyes. “She’s going to think what a great catch my son is.”

I took a long sip of coffee and resumed eating the hot meal she cooked for me. “I love you, Ma. And I do want you to be happy…”

“I am. I am happy. Happier than I’ve ever been.” Her cheeks turned pink.

“Christ.”

“I still want to meet this girl.”

“You will.”

“When?”

“Soon-ish.”

She rolled her eyes and dumped more scrambled eggs onto my plate.

“I was tempted to dump them over your head instead.”

“Fine,” I grumbled. “We can go to dinner.”

“Great. I’ll bring Will… it’ll be a double-date.”

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