It’s because we are in a confusing situation, and when I don’t want to think, I would rather be lost in the woman who probably has more power over me then she realizes.
The woman wearing the chain with a ring around her neck.
20
OLIVER
Blowing out a long breath, I lean back on the patio chair at my parents’ house. It was my home growing up, and when I return, it is as though I never left. My parents, despite their tennis matches at the country club, are down to earth, and my mother isn’t afraid to be bold with her words.
It’s not that I’ve been avoiding them, it’s simply that they were away and then I was just kind of occupied. Okay, quite possibly avoiding my mother might be slightly correct.
Swiping off my sunglasses, I toss them on the table next to a bowl of nuts and pitcher of lemonade. My mother smiles, clearly happy that I’m here.
“You look well. I’m so glad that you stopped by.”
“You would have chased me down, anyhow,” I remark, and it earns me a lopsided smile.
“What would you like for your birthday coming up?”
I snicker a sound. “I’m not eight. You don’t need to ask as though I have a wish list of toys.”
She chuckles, and it’s nice that she enjoys my presence because I do feel like family is important. That’s probably why that sharp pinch in my stomach hits because I’m lying straight to her face.
“Okay, I’ll figure something out. I ran into Hailey, and she mentioned arranging a party. I guess that makes sense with Liam away, and I know you boys always plan things for one another. But if you have a say in the invite list, Kale’s daughter just moved back and it would be good if she could connect with new friends.”
That just translates to “Honey, I have a potential dating option for you.” This is the moment where I want everything to spill out of my mouth that I have a wife, and the ring is in my pocket because I’m the guy who takes marriage of convenience up a notch.
She accepts my warning glare that I will not be taking her up on her suggestion. “I’ll stop,” she lies with a smile. She extends her arm across the table and squeezes my forearm for a shake. “I’m so happy that you are here, have I mentioned that?”
“Yeah, and if you call me adorable or try to pinch my cheeks then I’m abandoning ship as fast as possible,” I mundanely say which causes her to howl a laugh and let me go.
“A mother occupies herself with wanting the best for her children, and that’s something I will never stop,” she reminds me.
Taking a sip of my drink, I appreciate the ice cubes on this warm summer day. My eyes narrow to the sound of a chime. There is one hanging near the roses that grow against a trellis. I never noticed the chime before. It causes my cheek to tick because I think of Hailey. The sound calms me but doesn’t take me away from the conversation.
“How’s Dad? He seemed to be in a conference call when I arrived.”
My mom almost frowns because she’s supportive of him and they do love one another, but it must get tiring when your husband is so occupied with work.
Ooh, touché to me.
I see similarities between us in that aspect, but at the same time, Hailey mellows me out. I pay a little more attention to work-life balance, and this woman has only been legally bound to me for two weeks.
“Everything okay, my favorite youngest son?” I’m her only youngest son. “You seem lost in your thoughts.”
I lift a shoulder and brush her off. “Nah, it’s nothing.”
Her cheeks lift and her nose raises as she looks over my ear. “There’s my eldest son.”
I glance to see Carter arrive, and his face is hardened with an indescribable mood, except when he looks to my mother and he softens. But when he plops himself on the chair across from me, I feel uneasy.
“Lemonade?” My mom offers my brother the pitcher.
“I won’t be here long. Just wanted to stop by when you mentioned Oliver would be here for a little bit.”
I squint at my brother whose eyes are a death stare.
“You know, I heard on the grapevine that Rose’s horse died. She loved Astro.”
