Page 53 of The Playboy's Playbook

“No, I’m sorry for how I treated you. Oh, my baby boy is all grown up!” She waves her hands in front of her, pride showing in her eyes. “You have grown to be a wonderful man. I see pictures Luke’s company posts with you at the forefront of it all. You are doing so well, Matty. I’m so proud of you.”

I nod, keeping my gaze low and avoiding eye contact. “Thank you, mom. I-I needed to hear that.”

“I wish I’d told you how proud I was of you when you were at home. I didn’t make life easy for you and I’ll always regret not showing up for you when you needed me the most,” my mom’s voice cracks and a few tears fall from her eyes.

I feel hot tears prick the back of my eyes, but I maintain my composure. “It’s okay, mom. I don’t…I forgive you. I forgave you a long time ago.”

“Hannah told me that you and Laila were seeing each other! She’s grown to be absolutely gorgeous! She’s always been a pretty girl though. I’m so happy that you two found each other again! I love Laila, she’s always been a sweetheart. Her mom would stop by the boutique and we’d chat forever about you two, even after you graduated. How’d you two reconnect? How is she in general? I want to hear it all!” she says excitedly.

“Hannah didn’t tell you?” I ask, just to make sure this isn’t a trick to get me to express my heartache.

Mom shakes her head in confusion. Unfortunately, I’m about to disappoint her once again.

“We’re not together anymore. I, uh, I fucked up.”

My mom lets out a sigh. “What happened?”

“I didn’t tell her about my arrest. She saw some posts that girls I used to…uh, be with had shared.”

Mom leans back into her seat, studying me for a moment. “What are you going to do about it?”

I look at my mom and furrow my brows in confusion. “What do you mean? I can’t do anything about it.”

“Matthew Andrew Foster, you are one determined young man, always have been. Do not sit here and tell me that you don’t have a plan to get Laila back.”

“I don’t, mom. I genuinely don’t think there’s anything I can do. She said she never wanted to see me again. She hasn’t responded to any of my efforts that I’ve done already. I’m just going to give her space. Leave her alone like she asked me to do.”

“I’m not for interfering in someone’s love life, but you and Laila are a match made in heaven – you always have been. You two belong with each other,” my mom says, her voice low and serious.

“Laila quite literally hates me, mom. Giving her time and space is my best and only option now.”

My mom takes a sip of her water and nods. “Giving her space is great and as a woman, I appreciate that you’re respecting her wishes, but don’t go forever without trying. Just because it rains today doesn’t mean the sun won’t shine tomorrow.”

I soak in my mom’s words and we eat our meal in silence.

Just as I’m about to pay the bill, my mom speaks. “Do you love her?”

I don’t hesitate when I answer. “Without question.”

“Then show her, Matty.”

We say our goodbyes, but not before planning to see each other again, sooner rather than later.

On the drive to Luke’s house, I stop by the store and pick up a new notebook. I’m going to be up all night because my mom was right. I am a determined guy and I’m going to get my girl back.

Whatever it takes.

As I walk through the store to grab a few things, I feel a pair of eyes on me. I don't need to turn around to know who's watching my every move.

“Rachel.”

“Oh, think again, pretty boy.”

That’s a man’s voice. And definitely not Rachel Finley’s.

I turn around, curious to see who this guy is and as soon as I do, I immediately regret it.

“Bet you ain’t think you was gonna see me again. How was jail? Make any friends?” Randy berates as he stalks toward me.

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