“I’m not gonna lie. It hurt, but the decision was made in my mind as soon as she told me she was pregnant.”
Her lips twist to the side. “I’m not sure which is worse. A mother seeing her baby and deciding she’s not worth staying for, or a mother who never wanted her in the first place.”
The pain radiates from her pretty face, and I feel the need to reach into the phone and hug her. “I don’t ever want you to think you weren’t worth staying for, Jordie. Some people are just selfish, and that has nothing to do with the people they’re leaving behind.”
She nods and sniffles a little. “I know. My mom is here now, and it’s been nice getting to know her.”
“Are your brothers and sister glad she’s back?”
Jordie hesitates before admitting, “I haven’t told them. She asked me not to because there was apparently some bad blood when she left.”
“I imagine.” My mind sifts through the information I know about her family. “Juliette and Bubba would have been teenagers then, right?”
“Yes, and they never talk about her. I asked Bubba recently if he ever heard from her, and all he said was, ‘Hell no, and I don’t care if I ever hear from that bitch again.’ So I let it drop, and I’m just kinda keeping those two sides of my life separate for now.”
Something about that doesn’t sit right with me. Her older brotheris a beast of a hockey player, but I’ve never heard of that kind of hostility from him off the ice.
“Just be careful, okay?” I caution gently. “Sometimes when someone gets famous, relatives can come out of the woodwork looking for a payday. I don’t want anyone to take advantage of you.”
Jordie chews on her bottom lip and bobs her head up and down. “I am helping her out with her rent because her fiancé is going through some job trouble.” My jaw tightens, and she quickly adds, “But I’m not being dumb about it. I send the rent directly to her apartment complex, and she never asks me to give her money other than that.”
I try not to let it bother me since it’s none of my damn business, but I don’t like a grown-ass woman showing up and asking her long-forgotten daughter for financial help at the start of her new career.
When Jordie covers her mouth to stifle a yawn, I bury the red flags and say, “I’ll let you get some sleep.” I find that I’m reluctant to do so. She’s so easy to talk to. In fact, I’ve never told anyone else about what happened with Beatrice, other than my family, of course.
“Yeah,” she replies, sounding as reluctant as I feel. “I have practice in the morning and then again in the afternoon. What are you doing tomorrow?”
“Taking Reece to the children’s museum.”
A wide smile splits her face, revealing pretty white teeth. “Try to keep your underwear on, Hale.”
My smile matches hers.
“No promises, McNamara.”
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
The XXX Love Nest
Jordie
I’m standing in the living room of my apartment, brimming with anticipation, when my phone rings. Looking at the display, I swipe my thumb against the button and answer with, “Hey, Mom.”
“Hi, baby. What are you up to?”
“Just getting ready to go to Philadelphia for my meeting with the new agent.” I fidget with the handle of my black hardshell suitcase, sliding it up and down, up and down. “My ride should be here in about ten minutes.”
“Oh good. That gives us a minute to talk. I have news!” She trills the last word, making me smile.
“What’s that?”
“Willie and I have decided on a wedding venue. I’ve always wanted an island destination wedding so we’ve chosen…” She pauses to draw out the drama before announcing, “St. Lucia!”
“Aww, I bet that will be beautiful, Mom. I’ve always wanted to go there.”
Her voice softens. “And now you’ll get the chance. I want you to be my maid of honor.”
“I—me?” I ask, pointing at myself even though she can’tsee me. My chest warms at the thought that she actually wants me to be a part of her wedding.
