Page 23 of Rex's Honor
His father bent over, slapped his leg, and burst out laughing.
“I don’t see what is so funny,” Rex said, scowling.
“Your mother always gets her way.” His father glanced between Rex and Tilly. “And she’s always right.”
“Not this time,” Tilly said. “I can’t believe I fell for her tricks!” She folded her arms. “I’m sorry, Gerry. I flew all the way to Florida because you asked me to since she so desperately wanted to make peace with her son. But no, the reality is she’s still trying to play matchmaker. How many times have I told her that ship has sailed? That he and I are over. We have absolutely no feelings left for one another. None. Zilch. This is crazy. She can’t make me date him. I’m not letting her play the death card. Again.”
His father stopped laughing.
Judy stared at Tilly with a perplexed expression.
Rex cleared his throat. “Okay. What am I missing? Why are you so pissed off?”
“I don’t like being manipulated.”
“You knew this was what she wanted?”
“She might have mentioned it a time or two.” Tilly cocked her head. “And come on, do you seriously want to date me while you’re here spending time with your mom?”
“Going out and seeing the old stomping grounds wouldn’t be the worst idea.” He shrugged.
“You are one big pain in my ass.” She turned and stomped out the front door.
Rex’s dad squeezed his shoulder. “Your mom has been putting some pressure on her about you. Pulling out old photo albums. Reminiscing about prom. Chatting about the time we caught you kids on the third fairway having?—”
“Don’t say it, Dad.” Rex stuck his finger in his ear and wiggled it. “That’s not really fair of Mom to do to Tilly. It wasn’t easy for her to come to collect me, and I made it even harder.”
“I’m sure you did,” his dad said. “If I had known what your mother intended, I would have come myself.” He lowered his chin. “But let’s call the kettle black here, son. Would you have come if anyone other than Tilly had shown up?”
“I don’t know,” Rex answered honestly. “That woman is not only persuasive, but she’s also a stubborn mule who wouldn’t get off my boat until she either drowned in a storm or I agreed. I couldn’t let her ruin her expensive dress, so I relented.” He rubbed the back of his neck and let out a long breath. “For Mom’s sake, she’ll go out with me. But sadly, it’s going to be all for show.”
“If you say so, son.”
6
“Your golf game has gotten better.” Rex took the glass of scotch his father offered and settled into one of the outdoor chairs in front of one of three fire pits. The evening sun lowered toward the horizon.
“I kind of wish yours had gotten worse. You’d think with how little you played, it would catch up to you.”
“I gave you nine strokes.” Rex laughed.
“And I still lost.”
“I once went an entire year without seeing a golf course and was invited to play with my CO. I shot a 70 on a course that was a par 71. My CO was quite happy I was his partner and lived up to my reputation.”
His father shifted his gaze. “I know it took you a lot to come home.” He stared into his glass while swirling the dark liquid. “I appreciate it as much as your mother does.”
“If I’m being honest, I’m glad I’m here. It’s uncomfortable and my emotions are all over the place, but I would have regretted not coming.”
“I’m glad to hear that.”
He stared at his father, studying every line on his face. He noticed how he sipped his drink and Rex realized he did itprecisely the same way. “I have to be honest here, son. I can’t help but wonder if you would have ever made it back without the nudge from Tilly, which makes me wonder if your mother isn’t right about the two of you.”
“I bought a plane ticket. More than once. I would have gotten the courage to come without you sending Tilly.”
“You say that, but yet you didn’t get on the plane. It took Tilly showing up and dragging your ass home.” His father lifted his hand. “Since your mom got sick, Judy and I have been the ones to take care of her—well, mostly Judy. When it came down to it, I wanted to be the one to come slap some sense into you. It would have been easy for me to leave for a few days thanks to the patience of my lovely bride. But if we’re being brutally honest, I knew that Tilly would be the one who got through to you.”
Rex laughed. “I certainly was shocked to see her, although I knew exactly what her purpose was, and I had my arsenal of reasons why I wouldn’t go ready.”
