Damn, her words were like a dagger right to my chest. I could see the look of hurt in her eyes, and wanted nothing more than to take it away. I knew I’d walked out on her and made it seem like I didn’t give a shit anymore, but nothing could be further from the truth.
“Chanel, I didn’t walk out on you.”
She dropped her head and gave theare you serious?face.
“I mean, I did, but I didn’t. Shit.” This was more complicated than I cared to explain in my best friend’s guest bedroom. “I walked out, yes. But it doesn’t mean I don’t care about you.”
She rolled her eyes toward the ceiling. “What the hell else would it mean? You know what? I don’t even care at this point. You’ve made your position clear. Just stay away from me, and I’ll do the same for you. I’m leaving anyway. Enjoy the rest of your day.”
This time when she stepped around me, I didn’t make a move to stop her. I didn’t want to see her leave, but I still had shit to figure out on my own. And I couldn’t explain that to her if I couldn’t figure it out myself. What I do know is that when I heard her mumbled goodbyes to Tori and the kids, followed by the closing of the front door, my heart sank. I don’t know how long I stood there, hands in my pockets, debating whether I should go after her, but eventually, I heard Jason’s voice enter the house. I finally made my decision to leave things with Chanel as they were for now. I knew, inevitably, we’d see each other again.
****
After spending a few hours over at Jason’s watching one of the early season football games, followed by dinner, I made my way over toGrant’sto speak with the restaurant manager. He was going out of town on vacation the following week and since we’d had a hard time finding an interim manager, I’d be taking over that responsibility. It was honestly the last thing I needed with everything else I had going on, but Mike,Grant’smanager, had planned the vacation months ago.
Once I was up to speed on everything atGrant’s,I still wasn’t ready to go home. On a perfect Saturday night, I’d usually find myself in the company of someone of the opposite sex. As of late, that had been the one woman who obviously didn’t want to see me right now. And she was the only woman that I’d want to spend a Saturday night with. So, instead of scrolling through the list of women in my phone, I hit the button to call the one who’d given me life.
“Hey, baby.”
My mother’s voice alone had the edges of my lips turning up. “Hey, Ma. You busy?”
“Never too busy for you. What’s up?”
“Not much. I’m just getting out ofGrant’sand didn’t feel like going home just yet. You up for some company? I’ve got food.”
“You already know the answer to that.”
I grinned. “I’ll be there in twenty.” I disconnected the call and made the turn out ofGrant’sparking lot that pointed toward the house I’d grown up in.
“I know you brought me some crab cakes,” my mom stated as soon as she opened the door. Before I could respond, I heard the high-pitched barking of her beloved Pomeranian, Pumpkin.
“And they’re foryou,not that damn dog,” I told her as I stepped inside the door and shut it behind me.
“I can’t help it if your restaurant’s food is a delicacy to Pumpkin.”
I laughed as I pulled her into a hug and then handed her the to-go bag fromGrant’s.
“Mmm, smells like macaroni and cheese is in here too. I’m going to have to increase my cardio at the gym this week to work these calories off. But it’s so worth it.”
I gave my mother a grin. At five-four with her slim build, my mother often had to eat more than her fair share just to keep the weight on. But she loved being active. She’d first joined a gym ten years ago when a doctor informed her she needed to do something about her rising blood pressure and cholesterol. She took to it like a fish to water, even cutting out most meat and junk food from her diet.
“You don’t need to do shit.”
“Watch your mouth, boy. I’m still your mama.”
I dipped my head giving her thatyes, ma’amlook I’d perfected as a child.
“You want this now or want me to put it in the fridge for tomorrow?” I asked as we entered the kitchen.
“It’s a little late. Put it in the fridge, but pull out the sliced lemon on the door there.”
I did as ordered and turned back to the kitchen island to see my mother placing her black tea kettle on the stove. I already knew what time it was.
“You want to start talking now or wait until the tea is ready?”
I shook my head, amused. “We can wait. Tell me about your week.”
“Or month, since that’s how long it’s been since I last saw you.”
