“I know that, but I’ve had a shit day, and I need to see you, okay?” I immediately felt bad for my tone and tacked on a weak. “Please.”
“Are you okay?”
“I will be if you come over. So, will I see you in a few?”
He chuckled. “Yeah, we’ll be there.”
I went straight home as soon as we hung up, knowing I already had everything I needed to make hamburgers and baked potatoes. As soon as I turned the street and saw my old blue house, my heart plummeted. A bright red Honda Pilot was parked along the street at the end of the driveway, leaving room for my truck in the single-car drive.Mom.
Thiscannnnn’tbe happening. Not now. Not when Rey and Harris were going to be here any second. And why the hell had she driven all the way here?!
“Jake, is that you?” Her familiar voice came from the side of the house as soon as I climbed out of the truck. I almost laughed when she came around the corner wearing dirt-stained khakis and a red shirt. A few scattered leaves stuck out of her dark blonde hair. I don’t know why it surprised me. She knew I had to work today and I wouldn’t have put it past her to give herself a tour of my property while she waited. Mom probably took one look at the mess of weeds under the kitchen window and got right to work.
“What are you doing here?” I asked, though I had to admit it felt good to see her. Really damn good. Even though it was about to get awkward as all hell as soon as Rey and Harrison showed up.
A beautiful smile spread across her face. “Does a mother need a reason to visit her son?”
I chuckled. “No. Never.” I kissed her cheek before folding my arms around her in a tight hug. She was about four inches shorter than me, but I secretly loved how she fit in my arms. As if I was made to protect her. Neither of us let go for several long seconds.
“It’s so good to see you,” she said.
“Yeah, you too. But you should have told me you were coming.”
She pulled away and waved a hand. “You know me. I like surprises.”
I narrowed my eyes and studied her. “Hold up. Youweregoing to tell me, weren’t you? The other day?” I knew I was right just by her expression. “Mom!”
“Oh, please. No sense in making you go out of your way for me.”
“You were just hoping to meet Reyes!” I accused.
Mom’s face pinkened, but she didn’t even try to hide it. “Maybe.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. It was so like my mom to do this sort of thing. I pulled her in for another hug. “I really have missed you,” I said.
“You too.”
“Why’d you drive all the way here though? That’s what, fifteen hours?”
She shrugged. “A friend of mine has a daughter who lives in Charleston, so we made a road trip out of it.”
“You drove the whole way here?”
“Of course not,” she said slightly miffed. “We left on Sunday and have been taking our time coming here. She’s staying two nights with her daughter before we head back.”
“Were you hoping to stay here, then? I don’t have a spare bed yet.”
She waved her hand. “I can find a hotel, Jake. Don’t worry.”
The sound of another car slowing had me turning my head. Rey’s sedan was pulling in right behind Mom’s Pilot. I risked a glance at my mom, who was grinning.
“Looks like my evil planned worked,” she said with a smirk.
“Please don’t make a bigger deal of this than it is,” I said, plucking a few strands of vine from her hair. “We’re just friends.”
It was her turn to narrow her eyes at me, but she remained quiet, shaking out the rest of her short hair.
When Harrison climbed out of the back seat, Mom cast me a quick look, but I had no time to explain before they were on us. Reyes was equally confused.
