Page 32 of Rex's Honor
Tilly’s knee jumped wildly under the table. Not even Rex’s steady hand could calm her nerves.
“That last putt of yours was amazing,” James, her mother’s new boyfriend, said.
“He was always quite the golfer,” her mother said with a smile. For a woman who hadn’t liked Rex that much, she certainly had a thing for him now. She’d being hanging on him like he was the best thing since sliced bread the entire round. It was almost disgusting to watch. “I’m so sad your father and his new bride couldn’t join us.”
Rex loosened the tie around his neck before taking another large sip of wine. He’d never been one to enjoy wearing what he called a noose. He hated the damn things. He didn’t mind golf clothes, but suits made the man practically break out in hives. “My mother wasn’t feeling too well, so they decided it was best to stay home.”
“I’m so sorry,” her mother said, shaking her head. “Your mother’s a good woman and I wish this wasn’t happening. She’s been through so much. First her son not speaking to?—”
“Mom,” Tilly interrupted. “Can we please not go there. Rex is here now.”
“Yes. He is, and that says something.” Her mother let out a long breath. “So, tell me, Rex, what exactly are your intentions with my daughter?”
“Mom, really, I’m not twelve.”
“It’s all right. I suspect if I had a child, I’d be the same way.” Rex set his glass down. “It’s been a long time and a lot of feelings have been hurt. Right now, it’s all about reconnecting. I never stopped caring for your daughter and my mother’s illness has reminded me how short life is.”
Tilly coughed. The man could act. It was an Oscar worthy performance. She wished she had the ability to do it as well as he did. But her emotions were raw. They swirled around in her gut, smacking her heart, reminding her that when all this was over, Rex would be gone.
Sure, he wouldn’t be out of their lives. Not this time. He’d be coming around to see his father. His brother and his family. His sister.
But outside of that, the pretending would end and she would go back to her life without him being a staple in it.
“That’s all well and good, but you made my little girl cry and I’d hate to go through that again.”
“Oh my God, Mother. This has to stop. Can we just have a nice dinner and not rehash the past?”
“But if you two are getting back together?—”
“Mrs. Bettencourt.” Rex put his hand over her mother’s. “I have no intention of making Tilly cry. That’s the last thing I want. Right now, we’re simply dating, getting to know one another again. I don’t know where it will lead. I just know I want the opportunity to explore the possibilities and Tilly seems to want the same thing.” He turned and caught her gaze. “Right? That is what you want.”
Nothing like putting her on the spot with a big old hot truth, but told in the form of a lie, because Rex was just putting on a good show.
“Yes. That’s what I want.” She did her best to smile, but she wondered if her face contorted like she’d just ate a lemon.
“Here comes the waiter with our appetizers,” James said, resting his arm around the back of her mother’s chair. “Sweetheart, I think you’ve put enough pressure on these kids. You heard them, now it’s time to leave them alone and let them figure things out.”
Her mother pursed her lips. “I only want to see my little girl happy again and all she’s done for the last twelve years?—”
“Darling, not the time or place,” James said.
Thank God for James.
Her mother jerked her head. “Why not? I know I promised I’d be on my best behavior and I have been. I’ve bit my tongue and only glossed over the past.” She turned her gaze toward Rex. “I’m not sure you understand the mess you left behind.”
“That’s enough, Mother,” Tilly said under her breath.
“It’s okay, Tilly.” Rex took her hand. “I’m well aware of what I did. To my family and to Tilly and I’m sorry. I know those are only words. It’s my actions that need to speak.”
Her mother nodded. “I don’t mean to be so hard on you. But I know your mother. Pretty well. We’ve been through being friends. Being mortal enemies.” Her mother lowered her chin. “To coming together again, creating peace for the sake of all our children. That included you. So, excuse me for trying to poke holes in this newfound relationship.”
“What are you implying, Mother?” Tilly should have known. Her mother sometimes could be the most untrusting human being on the planet. Life had given her some hard knocks and for a few years after the divorce, she didn’t trust a single soul. Not even her own kids. When Tilly moved in with her dad andLouisa, her mom accused her of being a rat leaving a sinking ship.
That wasn’t the case. But she understood why her mom would feel that way.
“I know you still care about Rex. I get that. I want to know that he’s not playing some silly game to make his mother happy. There. I said it. Sorry. But Louisa has always wanted the two of you back together.” Her mother lifted her wineglass and took a long sip.
“So have you,” James said. “And don’t you dare go lying about it, because I’ll call you on it.” He arched a brow.
