Page 22 of Mic Drop

“Sweetheart, I understand now. I was confused, thinking you were upset about my suggesting you let UC’s PR team help out with the media surrounding the clinics. I couldn’t bring myself to believe you were mad about the whole Lissa debacle, because you’ve been with me about that from the beginning.”

“Well, not back in high school,” I point out. Then I remember the call from his own mother. “I forgot. Your mother called when you were in the shower at the hotel. She said some nasty things to me about Lissa and the whole Black Widow thing.”

“She’s the reason I had to get a new phone.”

I give him what I’m sure is a sorry excuse for a grin. “Makes sense.”

“Why on earth did you pick up my phone? I don’t answer half of her calls.”

I shrug. “I thought I could talk with her, woman to woman. Tell her what an awesome son she has.”

“You think I’m awesome?”

The way he twists my words only endears me to him more. I lay the bouquet down on a bench. With both arms now free, I wrap them around his waist. “I guess you could say you’re an anomaly.”

He kisses me, then pulls back. “Because I’m a rock star with a heart?”

“Well, true.” I kiss him with a bit more passion than is permissible in public, but I figure the dog walkers can mind their own business. “More so because you’re a wonderful man who turned into a rock star in spite of your mother.”

“I’ll take it.”

Our talk about his mother makes my heart hurt for my own. I hug him, grateful he’s in my life. “I guess we should be getting back to Ma. She’s not having a very good morning, though, so be warned. She’s a bit grumpy.”

“Grumpy I can handle. Have you seen the guys I tour with?”

He has a point. Yet, Bennett now has to win Ma’s approval when all of her focus should be on staying healthy. I hope it isn’t a big mistake to bring Bennett home.

“C’mon Sweetheart. I need to be on the jet by midafternoon to get to New Orleans for tonight’s concert. It seems like I’m going to be flying alone.” His lips turn downward.

I guess my touring days are now officially over.

Chapter 7

Bennett

When we return to Faith’s house, I steel myself to see not the woman I met a few weeks ago, but rather her shell. Jenna plucks one stem from the bouquet and returns the rest to me. “I’m going to check on Ma.” Twirling the flower, Jenna enters the kitchen and stops. “Hi, Ma. We have a visitor.”

I straighten, making sure the bouquet is arranged as nicely as when I bought it.

“Bennett’s here.”

I plaster a smile as I turn toward the kitchen. Faith stands next to Jenna, almost exactly how I remember her. She’s maybe lost a few pounds, but still looks pretty vibrant to my untrained eye. My smile morphs into a real one, and I lumber across the room to kiss her hand. “So happy to see you again, Faith. These are for you.” I hold out the calla lilies, mentally thanking her daughter for her thoughtful gesture with the flowers.

“Oh, thank you, young man. Can I get you some tea?”

I glance at Jenna, who shrugs. “Sure. Sounds good.”

Jenna pipes up. “I’ll make it. Why don’t you two get comfortable in the living room?”

Her mother smells my proffered flowers and smiles, causing the rather hovering Jenna to rush over. “Here, let me put them in a vase for you.” Jenna lifts the bouquet to her nose and inhales, her face reflecting pure bliss. Like mother, like daughter.

Faith nods, but I can tell Jenna’s smothering is getting to her. I approach her and bow. Crooking my elbow toward her, I ask, “May I escort you into the living room?”

Jenna’s mother places her hand on my forearm. “You may.”

Together we leave Jenna in the kitchen. Her mother’s relatively steady on her feet, which has to be a good sign. We sit while Jenna prepares the tea.

“Thank you for coming all the way out here, Bennett,” Faith begins. “Jenna’s not been herself with how things ended between you two.”

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