Page 60 of Stay
Mom waves a hand before glancing at the digital clock on the microwave. “He had an emergency at the hospital. Hopefully, he’ll be back before we sit down to eat.”
Thomas is an emergency department physician at the hospital in town. He’s also my stepfather. Dad died in a car accident when I was ten years old. It was a drunk driver who took him out. A fucked-up college kid driving home from the bar at two in the morning. My father died on impact while that kid walked away without a scratch. He sat his ass in jail for a couple years, but so what?
It didn’t bring dad back to us.
Mom married Thomas four years after that. He isn’t my dad, and he doesn’t try to be. What I will say is that he’s a nice guy who treats my mother well, which is all that matters. If I need to talk or blow off steam, he’s there.
It could be worse.
“That means I have you all to myself for a couple of hours,” she says with a smile.
My father’s death may have dampened her spirit, but over the years, it gradually returned and she persevered.
We both did.
“How’s the team shaping up this season?”
I plow a hand through my hair as I turn the question over in my mind.
“I think we’ll be solid. There are several strong players who’ve returned. Plus, we’ve got a tough defense and a fast offense. The freshmen and transfers we picked up seem to be talented, so that should help.” I shrug. “So far, so good.”
I open the fridge and grab a Gatorade before settling at the massive expanse of granite island as I twist off the cap. “You know, you don’t have to buy these anymore.”
That being said, I guzzle down half the bottle.
With a smile, she shakes her blonde head and continues to chop the green beans. “Of course, I’m going to buy the things you like.You’re my son, I miss having you around. Seeing them in the fridge reminds me that you’ll be popping home soon for a visit.”
I raise a brow as an unmanly lump gets wedged in the middle of my throat.
Even so, I can’t resist teasing. “Jeez, Mom. You’re getting sappy in your old age.”
A few seconds after the comment leaves my mouth, a dish towel hits me square in the face. No one can say that the woman doesn’t have great aim. Although, I guess that’s what happens when your dad dies, and your mother gets stuck pitching baseballs to you in the backyard.
“Have I taught you nothing?” Her voice turns sharp as her brows snap together. “Never call a woman old.Especiallyyour mother.”
My lips curve as a chuckle escapes. “Lesson learned.”
Silence falls over us as she continues chopping and prepping the vegetables. My gaze gets drawn to the window that overlooks the yard. It doesn’t take long for my thoughts to circle back to Cassidy. No matter how much I try to stop thinking about her, she’s never far from my mind. It would be irritating, if I weren’t so into her.
Even though we haven’t been seeing each other long, I like her. She’s a walking contradiction and I find that fascinating. At first, she struck me as a bit of a tough girl, but the more I get to know her, the more chinks I find in her armor. The vulnerability buried beneath that hard candy shell tears me up inside. It makes me want to do everything in my power to protect her.
“All right,” Mom says, “who is she?”
My gaze snaps to hers. “What are you talking about?”
She gives me a patient smile as if I’m not fooling her for a moment. Already, I know she won’t be letting this go until I tell her what’s going on.
Whether I want to or not.
I clear my throat and glance away, attempting to downplay the situation. “It’s just a girl I’ve been seeing.”
One brow arches. “I didn’t even know you were involved with someone.”
I jerk my shoulders.
Aw, hell.
When I remain silent, she continues. “I take it there’s a problem with this girl?”
