“No, he was just asking how you were doing. He’s with that girl he met at Easter. Tabby or something. I forget her name.”
“I’m good.”
“Dating anyone?”
I hesitate. “Not right now.” Anyfour… different story. Semantics.
“Oh Everlee. I worry about you.”
“Mom. I’m great. I have lots of friends, a great job. Life is good. I don’t need to settle down and find a husband right now.” Or ever. I glare at Beckett, urging him to step in.
He rolls his eyes and sighs, “What’s up, mom? Do you need something?”
“Well, your dad is gone for the week and I seem to have misplaced the keys to the lawnmower.”
“Mom. You don’t need to cut the grass. I’m sure dad just did it a few days ago and I will do it when I’m back.”
“You’re at the beach, right?”
“Yea. Winslow Bay with Ev.”
“So close. Do I get a visit from my daughter this week?”
Fucking Beckett.
He shrugs in defense. “Mom, it’s a couple of hours away.”
She sighs and I bobble my head from side to side. Part of me feels guilty she’s alone, but the other part tells me she’s a strong semi-independent woman who needs this time to focus on her and not Beckett or my dad.
“I suppose so. How’s your place?” Her tone is soft.
“It’s huge. Amazing. Right on the beach. I was getting groceries yesterday and I don’t know how it came up, but the cashier and I started talking about it and she told me the locals here call this place the Sand Castle, because it’s so huge.”
“Wow. Sounds like y’all are going to have an amazing time.”
“Yea. I’d invite you, but-”
“Oh, no. Thank you, though.”
I stare at Beckett and smack his arm. Invite her? What in the fuck is he thinking?
“Listen, don’t mow the grass. I’ll be home Saturday and can handle it.”
“Ok. Well, I won’t keep you two any longer. Have fun this week.”
“Bye mom.”
“Bye,” I chime in just before he ends the call.
He picks up a dart. “Where were we?”
“What the fuck, Beckett?” I ask, slapping his arm.
“What?”
“Inviting our mother to our sexy beach time house? What in the hell were you thinking?”
“I was just being nice. She will not come. You know she doesn’t drive anywhere. Especially anywhere further than an hour away.”
