“Well, I better get out there,” she says but doesn’t move. I chuckle, which finally causes her to step back.
I know I’ll see her plenty more during the evening, but I confirm one more time that this is happening. “So, Sunday morning, say like nineish?”
“Sounds great. And Rhyland, thank you.”
“Always.” Doesn’t she know there’s nothing I wouldn’t do for her?
Chapter 8
Payton
“Well, you’re up early,” Mom says as she enters the kitchen.
I snort. “You act like I’m not up this early every day.”
“True, but you rarely have this much pep in your step.”Do I have an extra pep in my step this morning?I stiffen as I pull out a chair at the kitchen table and take a seat. “Did you meet someone?”
I groan. Not this talk again. “Ugh, no, Mom, I didn’tmeetsomeone. But Idohave some news.”
Mom pours herself a cup of coffee and rounds the island to join me at the table.
“Oh? Now, don’t keep me in suspense, Payton Rose.”
For some people, like my brothers, the use of the first and middle name together can instill fear or nerves, but not me.Mine just brings a smile to my face because of the meaning behind it and the millions of times I was told its origin story growing up. My mother was constantly watching reruns ofGolden Girlswhen she was pregnant with me, so while my dad picked out my first name—after his favorite football player—my mom picked my middle name after her favorite Golden Girl. And being named after Betty White is pretty freaking badass.
Rip the Band-Aid off, Payton.If you can tell your mother that you’re having a baby and getting married, then you can tell her this with no problem.
“I’m moving out.”
“What?” she shrieks, slamming her coffee down on the table, causing a little to slosh over the side. But like I said, Connie Mosby is Mighty Mouse, so her quick reflexes cause her to miss getting burned. “Where? When? How?”
I press my lips together to keep my giggles inside. Holding my hands up, I tell her to settle down.
“You know I love you and am so thankful for everything you’ve done for me. I swear, Gabby and I couldn’t have done it without you. But if I stay in this house much longer, I’m worried that shit will hit the fan, and we might clash. It’s just—” I try to find the right words to say because the last thing I want to do is hurt my mom’s feelings before she’s finished her coffee. Thankfully, my mom steps in.
“I know, I get it. It doesn’t mean I like it, of course, but I get it. I’m sure it’s tough on you to have moved out and be a full-blown adult, only to have everything happen and you end up back under your parents’ roof. But it hasn’t been all bad, has it?”
I place my hand on my mom’s hand. “No, of course not, and I really can’t thank you enough for everything. But Gabby and I need to do this.”
Mom places her hand over mine, sandwiching my hand in. The look in her eyes makes me feel like a montage of memories isflashing in her eyes. At least that’s what my brothers and I have come up with to describe her look. It’s something I think every mom gets at some point or another. I know I’m not immune to that same look.
She clears her throat and pulls her hands back to wipe under her eyes. Great, I thought hurting my mother’s feelings would be bad, so I went and made her cry instead.
“Now, do you have a place in mind that you found? Or do we get to go house shopping?”
“Actually.” I pause and take a sip of my drink. “Gabby and I are moving in with Rhyland.”
“What?” This time, I do not hold back my laughter at my mom’s reaction because it’s even bigger than when I told her we were moving out.
“Rhyland, as in Rhyland Cole—your brother’s best friend?” I love how she has to clarify, as if we know more than one Rhyland, let alone someone named Rhyland Cole.
I nod. “Yup, one and the same.” He’s so much more than my brother’s best friend, and I know Mom knows that.
Mom remains silent as she places her elbows on the table and lifts her coffee cup. While she might say nothing on the outside, I know better than to think she’s not plotting or scheming on the inside. I can hear her loud thoughts from here.
“Whatever you’re thinking, Mom, just stop.”
She mocks offense and brings one hand to her chest. “I have no idea what you are talking about, Payton. I am doing nothing of the sort.”
