Page 67 of Dare You to Run
Mom shakes her head. “I’m assuming that little accounting fact was courtesy of Aunt Cat.”
“If he doesn’t want to work on the ranch, I’m sure Malik could really use some help in the financial aspect of our company.” Hendrix comes swaggering in and I think to myselfwho needs breakfast when he looks like a whole meal.
“Good morning, Hendrix. I hope you slept well.” Mom walks over to him and gives him a hug, which is pretty typical for her.
She pulls back slightly and scrunches up her brows, taking a whiff of him.
He tenses, but relaxes enough to pat her back gently. “Very well, ma’a–Camille. Thank you for having me.”
“I’m going to get breakfast going while Mom gets the rugrats moving. Would you like juice or coffee? We don’t have that black tar stuff that could pass for crude oil, but there are some others you may like.” I reach up and open the mug cabinet, grabbing one for him and setting up the coffee machine. “Or there’s an espresso machine. That probably has enough caffeine to get you through the morning.”
He smiles at me and I see Mom’s eyes volleying between us. When he walks over to where I stand and touches my side ever so quickly, I hear Mom say, “Dagen. Can I speak with you for just a moment?”
We both freeze and I hear Hendrix whisper, almost indecipherable, “Shit.”
“Um sure. Give me just a minute to pop the bacon in the oven. Hendrix, help yourself.” I work quickly, lining the baking sheet with foil and laying out strips of bacon.
I stick the bacon in the oven, only for Mom to remind me, “You need to start the oven first.” She presses the buttons and gives me a side eye.
Setting the sheet pan on the counter, I follow mom into the mudroom.
“What in the hell, Dagen Rayne?” Her voice is hushed and stern.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about?”
“You and Hendrix seem to be wearing the same scent this morning.” She crosses her arms and pops out on hip.
“It just probably seems that way because the body wash I bought is a bit more musky than usual. But the store di–”
“Cut the bullshit. I’m not a dumb woman.” I chew on my lip, my eyes filling with tears and my body with nerves. “Oh, honey.”
She quickly pulls me into her arms and smooths my hair.
“I’m sorry,” I whisper and wrap my arms around her.
With a sigh she tells me, “It’s okay. I just wish, lord help me, you could have held yourself back while your Dad and I were here. Now I have images in my head that I really don’t want there.”
Pushing back I explain. “I thought it would be the last time I saw him.”
“What do you meanthought, Dagen?”
I swipe at my running nose and stare at my feet. “We decided that we want to have a relationship beyond…you know–”
“I know.” She holds up her hand and closes her eyes. “You understand you’re going to have to speak with your father, and that he is going to have a lot to say about you dating a man.”
“Mom, I’m pretty sure anyone I was to date over the age of twenty is a man.”
“No, Dagen. I mean, that man is aman. Not a young one figuring out life, but one who has years of experience on you.” She exhales, waiting for me to say something. “Just..don’t let this get out of hand. And please b–”
“Hello. Are y’all going to stay locked up in there, or are you going to come out and greet us?” Mom groans and drops her head and I do the same.
The crew has ascended. Aunt Viv’s voice is very loud and clear as are the giggles of little girls.
Blowing out a frustrated breath I say, “Let’s get this shit show over with.”
Mom nods and we open the door to find a mass of people in our kitchen, and Hendrix being bombarded with looks and questions.
“Bacon’s in the oven, eggs are being scrambled, and dads are on school drop off duty.” Aunt Viv stands with little Sutton in her arms while Uncle Phoenix grabs the other two, Cassie and Genie, as they run around the kitchen.
