Page 16 of Cheap Shot
That’s not ominous at all. I open my mouth to ask her what she meant, but I decide against it. There is no doubt in my mind that Momma already knows what team I’m going to and the story behind how I got there. She’s my mother, but she also can sweet-talk someone out of the clothing on their backs when she puts her mind to it. Not to mention, if Remy called her before trying my cell phone, there’s no way Momma would let him off the phone without giving her something.
“What everyone thinks is best for me and what I believe is best for me don’t always match up with each other, Momma.”
She looks up at me, her eyes full of concern. “True, but just keep an open mind.”
She 100 percent knows what team I’m going to, and I know in my gut that I’m probably not going to like it.
“I think I’ll give Remy a call before I take that shower.”
“That might be a good idea. I’m making lasagna for dinner. It should be ready in an hour. That should be more than enough time for you to make your phone call.”
“Momma, I know I haven’t been home in a while, but I’ve always hated?—”
There’s no way that Momma forgot that I hate lasagna. She can tell me the name of my first-grade teacher. Not to mention that Momma was once a classically trained chef in another life—her life before kids—and she loves cooking for her family. Each of us boys has his favorite dish. Mine is her fried chicken. I have no clue what she puts in it, but I’ve never tasted anything better. Kyle used to love her meatloaf, Cooper her chicken and dumplings, and the lasagna was?—
I spin on my heels, narrowing my eyes at my mother. “Beau is coming for dinner, isn’t he?”
I’ve avoided seeing either of my brothers since I was released from the hospital after my surgery, although I’ve had more than a few people fussing over me since I came back to Redwood Falls. It’s been bad enough dealing with Momma’s new best friend, Auntie Naomi—as I was ordered to call her—and Aunt Peggy taking turns fussing over me since we pulled into the driveway.
Each of them has taken turns asking me a million questions about whether I was comfortable and needed pain medication. Aunt Peggy spent the time I was in the hospital cooking up a storm, determined to feed me anything and everything she could think of to help me heal quicker. I swear, I’ve gained ten pounds since I’ve been here, eating everything they put in front of me, but I drew the line at eating sardines.
“As a matter of fact, he is. He’s heading over to a lacrosse game after dinner to see his little brother.”
I recoil slightly, trying to make sense of what Momma said. “Little brother? Did you have a secret love child since I’ve been gone? I know I don’t come home enough, Momma, but I feel like this is something I should’ve been told.”
Momma has never had eyes for another man but Dad. I know that, but I can’t help but give her crap about her “little brother” comment.
“You’re such a pain in my ass, Cole.” Momma laughs loudly, pushing to her feet and heading toward the kitchen. “Now, go call Remy before your brother gets here. He wants to chat with you, too.”
Fuck.Nothing good can come from my agent and my annoying older brother wanting to talk to me on the same day. I give Momma a mock salute before heading back toward my childhood bedroom, dialing Remy’s number. “Tell me who owns me.”
“Again, with the lack of hello. I’m starting to get my feelings hurt,” Remy responds in mock horror before laughing loudly. “You really need to learn some telephone etiquette.”
“Remy. I’m losing my patience.”
“Fine, ruin all my fun,” Remy scoffs before inhaling loudly. “What’s Ms. Mel making for dinner tonight? If there’s one thing I miss about Redwood Falls, it’s your mother’s cooking.”
“She’s making lasagna, Beau’s favorite. He’s coming over for dinner, but I have a feeling you knew that already.”
“I may have called your big brother and suggested he stop at home for dinner on his way to the lacrosse game.”
I flop down on my bed, crossing my ankles and leaning against the headboard. “Momma said something about seeing his little brother. Whatever that’s about.”
“Cooper started a program in partnership with the Timberwolves and the local Boys and Girls Club. It’s helping mentor kids who grew up without one or both of their parents. They have outings to theme parks, the zoo, all those places kids love. They even have a special box at Timberwolves home games so they can come watch games whenever they want.”
“That’s my big brother, such a bleeding heart and all,” I respond sarcastically, before focusing back on the topic at hand. “But enough about them. Where am I going to be riding the bench next year?”
“There’s no guarantee you’ll be riding the bench. You’re being dramatic.”
“Pot, meet kettle, Remy,” I growl, pushing to my feet and pacing in front of my bed.
My chest tightens as if all the air is being sucked out of the room and someone has wrapped their fingers around my neck. I struggle to take a breath as panic bubbles up from my stomach and settles in my chest. Beads of sweat dot my forehead as my eyes snap shut, my lips moving slightly as I slowly count backward from ten in my head. I continue counting, willing my body to calm down, only getting to zero and having to start the process all over again.
My entire body tingles as if someone is sticking me with needles repeatedly as I flop onto the bed. Dropping my head between my knees, I try to pull in deep breaths, but only end up panting loudly into the phone.
Deep breath in, and let it out slowly.
“Cole, are you okay?” Remy’s voice oozes concern for my safety, but I couldn’t care less right now.
