I crossed the threshold into the gourmet kitchen, which also had a view of the golf course. “I didn’t mean to interrupt your dinner. I can come back.”
My mom had rented a beautiful house, but Train’s was gorgeous and looked expensive. I wasn’t that surprised, considering he drove a Hummer and the plantation homes were upscale.
She pushed a button on the arm of her chair, and it rose to the height of the marble counters. “It’s no trouble.” She pulled out a plate from a cabinet adjacent to the stove. “I love New York. Did you live in Manhattan?”
I inched in further until I was standing behind the island. “Yes, ma’am.”
“When I think of New York City, I think of Wall Street. Is your dad a big-time executive?” she asked.
“My mom is. Dad died in Iraq.”
“What does your mom do that would bring her from the big city to a small Southern town?”
“My mom works from home. Marketing.” Not exactly a lie. Books required sales; therefore, my mom had to market herself, even with a big-time publisher.
Train trudged in. His shoulders were stiff. “She’s not staying, Mom.”
“Young man, I told you to watch your manners,” she said tersely.
He sighed heavily as he locked eyes with his mom. I didn’t see too much resemblance between them except the lips. Hers were as full as Train’s.
Train crossed the kitchen and kissed her on the cheek. “I left Dad a message. I need to talk to Montana about our computer project. I’ll be back in a few. Okay?”
Liar.Although we’d both told our moms the same excuse as to why we needed to talk. So I was a liar too.
Lucy’s rosy face brightened as though she was the proudest mom. “Don’t be too long. I’ll keep your dinner warm.”
Train opened the sliding glass door. “We’re going for a walk along the golf path.” He prodded me with his eyes. “After you, Montana.”
Argh!The boy was… I couldn’t think of a word except asshat. “It was nice to meet you, Lucy.”
“You’re welcome anytime,” she returned.
Anytime meant never if Train had any say.
Once outside, the scent of freshly cut grass floated on a light breeze. Train stomped down from the deck to a flower-lined stone walkway then to the black tar path along the golf course. An old man was hitting a ball from the sand onto the green.
“I told you I would call you.” Anger laced his words.
I clenched my fists at my sides. “So it’s okay for you to show up at my house unannounced, but I can’t show up at yours without an invitation?”
He ran a hand through his hair, his sea-green eyes seeming to darken. “We didn’t have anything else to talk about.”
“Computer project comes to mind.” Of course, that wasn’t the reason I was there, but with his defiance, now wasn’t a good time to ask him about my mom. He would sense my fear and use it to his advantage. I had to wait until he at least got rid of his grumpiness.
“We’re never going to be more than two students working on a project,” he said.
I had the urge to scream at the top of my lungs. Instead, I pushed him. He stumbled into a cluster of bushes.
“Get off your high horse. I wouldn’t date you if…” I couldn’t think of a word.
That asshat grin started to show. “If what, Montana? Cat got your tongue all of a sudden?”
More like a tall sexy quarterback sucked me in with one look that said, “I want you, but I hate you too.”
“Why do you get on my nerves?” I asked.
“Because you want me, and you’re afraid to admit it.”
