I take a second to really look at her. She’s got that same calm, collected look she always wears, but today there’s something in her eyes. Something that makes me pause.
A slight furrow in her brow…yeah, that’s the telltale sign. She’s got something on her mind, but I don’t push it. I take a slow sip of my drink and lean back in my chair, giving her the room to speak when she’s ready. Over the years, I’ve learned it’s better to just wait.
“So, what’s new in your life, Knoxie?” she asks, her voice teasing but there’s that hint of prying beneath.
The nickname still makes me cringe, but I’ll always beKnoxieto her. “Not too much. Work’s been a madhouse withall the festivals coming up. Our tour business is growing like crazy, but I’m not complaining. Dad would’ve loved it.”
I watch her, and for just a second, her eyes flicker with a mix of grief and pride. Grief for Dad, for everything he never got to see. And pride for what we’ve managed to build without him. I know she’s proud of us, but it’s clear that part of her still misses him.
“I’m in awe of you and your brother.” Her voice is thick with admiration. “The way you both stepped up so young to rebuild this place. It’s hard to put into words what it would’ve meant to your dad. He’d be so damn proud.”
Her words hit hard. It’s tough hearing her talk about him like this, especially since I never really got the chance to know him the way I wish I had. Twenty-four years, and she still carries that pain like it just happened.
It’s not like she hasn’t built something beautiful for herself with my stepdad. She has, and I’m grateful for that. I know she’s found peace in it, but that doesn’t make Dad’s absence any easier to cope with.
“I appreciate that, Mum. Really.” I give her a small smile, hoping she hears the sincerity in my voice.
She waves it off. “Anyway, tell me what else is new. Like, oh I don’t know, the fact that you have a girlfriend?”
I narrow my eyes, suddenly feeling like I’m under the spotlight.Callan, that damn snake. We had a deal, didn’t we?
“Did Cal tell you that? Well, you should ask him about Jamie.”
Mum doesn’t flinch. She raises an eyebrow and leans in. “No, Lucy told me she saw you talking with Rose’s niece. I was kidding when I called her your girlfriend, but it sounds like there’s something you’re not sharing? We’ll go back to the Cal comment in a minute.”
Damn it. Cal’s going to murder me.
I shake my head, already working through how I’m going to make this up to him. Mum might be a saint, but she’s a meddling one.
“Please, forget I said anything about Cal,” I say, holding up my hands. “I want him to tell us in his own time. I really have no idea what’s going on with that.”
“That’s fair enough,” she replies, nodding, but there’s a gleam in her eye. “But you’re not denying anything I’ve said about you, so…”
I let out a deep sigh, feeling the weight of her gaze. This woman has been waiting for years for one of us to “make her a Nanna,” and I’m about to burst her bubble.
“Honestly, there’s not much to tell.” I lean back in my chair, running a hand through my hair. “Her name’s Juliette, and we had dinner over the weekend. That’s as far as it’s going. She’s heading back to the States soon.”
All of that is mostly true. The date, her leaving. As for how far it’ll go? That’s still up in the air.
“Besides,” I continue, “you know things aren’t settled with Hallie. I’m doing my best not to drag anyone else into that mess.”
Mum’s nose crinkles in disgust at the mention of my ex. Can’t say I blame her. Hallie’s the worst kind of storm, and Mum’s never been a fan of getting caught in it.
The food arrives, giving us a brief distraction. We dig in, but it doesn’t take long for the silence to creep back in. I take a moment, napkin pressed to my mouth, then lean back in my chair and give her a pointed look.
“I know you’ve got something to say, Mum. Don’t hold back now.”
My words come out snappier than I mean, but this topic’s always been a sore spot for both of us.
Her gaze sharpens, making it clear she doesn’t appreciate my tone. And for a second, I’m back to being a teenager about to have my arse handed to me.
“I just want her out of our lives, Knox,” she says, her voice steady. “And I know you feel the same.”
“Aye. I’m working on it,” I mutter.
She nods. “Okay, then. Well, let me know if there’s anything I can do.”
“I appreciate that. If anything changes, you’ll be the first to know,” I reply, knowing damn well there’s not a thing she or anyone else can do. Even my attorney can’t seem to get me out of this hell.
