Page 70 of Undeniable
“I’m extremely pleased that you’re tutoring Lucas. He isn’t one to struggle with his subjects, but he’s never been good at writing papers, and I worry about his scholarship.”
No pressure there. “He’ll do fine,” I felt compelled to say.
She placed the rolls and the butter on the table then slid into the chair across from me. “Mazzie, if I may be honest, Lucas is the most important person to me?—”
Here we go. I held up my hand. I needed to speak my mind before she gave me the third degree. “Please, Mrs. Allen, if I may. I know I’m here for you to see what I’m all about and if I’m good enough for your son. But frankly, that’s for Lucas to decide.”
She unfolded her napkin and placed it in her lap. “Then what will you do when he’s in the NFL?”
Cry. Scream. Sulk.
“Frankly, he and I just started dating. So talking about a future together is premature. Not only that, I have my own path to forge. It will take me years to get my medical license, and nothing will stop me.” I held my chin up despite the pesky nerves dousing my hunger pangs.
Dealing with my mom might slow me down, but I would not change my goals because of my feelings for Lucas or any man. I was not my mother.
Lucas returned, breaking the tension mounting between his mom and me. “What are you two talking about?” He eased into a chair beside me, his gaze suspect and his shoulders tense.
“Just how much I adore Mazzie,” Priscilla said with conviction. “Tough, speaks her mind, and sounds to me like she doesn’t take any flak from anyone.”
As if that was what Lucas needed to hear, he relaxed his shoulders. “I knew you would, Mom.”
I slid my hand onto his thigh as if to say, I can handle your mother.
Mrs. Allen offered me a large spoon. “Dig in.”
The next hour went by without a hitch as we talked about school, my mom, my sister, the upcoming games left in the season, and everything but Mr. Allen. I felt as though he was the elephant in the room that needed to be addressed, but I wasn’t about to bring him up.
“Do you think your mom will be released?” Priscilla asked. She hadn’t reacted poorly or become judgy when I’d told her my mom was in jail.
There were a lot of parallels between the Allen family and mine. Both families struggled to deal with the mistakes of loved ones. Those struggles had affected Lucas and me in different ways, but in the end, I believed we’d both become better people.
I shrugged. “My gut says she’ll probably do at least six months because of both charges.”
“If there’s any help you need,” Priscilla said, “I’m here. And bless Mrs. Armstrong for taking Kaylee.”
Lucas squeezed my hand underneath the table, seeing me tear up.
“I appreciate you, Priscilla.” I set my fork down and wiped my mouth with a napkin. “May I use the bathroom?”
I needed to compose myself before I started bawling, and I felt like I had a piece of meat in my teeth.
“First door on the right down the hallway.” She pointed to the arched doorway that Lucas had disappeared through earlier.
I grabbed my purse from the foyer, went into the bathroom, then dug out my floss. I wiped a smidge of mascara from the corner of my eye before I flossed my teeth. As I was finishing up, my phone pinged.
I traded the floss for my phone.
Bails
Checking to see how you’re doing.
Surprisingly, his mom is awesome. I didn’t think I would like her as much as I do.
Bails
I told you she was nice. I’m taking Kaylee to the mall. My mom gave her money to buy some new sneakers. Are you good with that?
It was still odd for me to accept the good things Mrs. Armstrong did for Kaylee and me, but I needed to get over my pride.
