The clink of my glass hitting the coffee table sounds overly loud in the small room. “What do you know, Mom?”
“It’s fine. Between me and you. I certainly won’t be telling your father.”
“Mom, what are you talking about?!”
“You know exactly what I’m talking about. Anyway, I’d best be going. If you need me, I’m here. What happened to you today is terrible, Denny.
“I’m not saying this to rub salt in the wound, just to… I’m here for you. I’m your mother. You need me, call. Nothing’s changed now that Franklin is in the picture, sweetheart.”
I refuse to cry again.
“Thanks, Mom.”
“I love you, Denver.Always. Speak soon.”
“Love you, too. And yeah, will do.”
As I disconnect the call, I have to wonder which of her sisters talked. Fuck. I hoped they’d keep their traps shut at the prospect of someone like me?—
“Denny?!”
Zach’s holler has me sitting upright on the couch.
“In here,” I yell.
“Oh, thank fuck. When I got your text saying you were leaving early, I freaked out, and then you didn’t answer.”
“Sorry. Mom called,” I tell him when he pops his head around the door.
His shoulders hunch. “Pecan?”
“Yup. Helmie told Mom.”
“Fuck.”
“No. It’s fine. She… We had a weird conversation, actually. I’m not sure I understood half of what she said, but she got married over Thanksgiving.”
“What?!”
“The lawyer.”
“And she’s only telling you today?!”
“You know how she rolls.” I snicker. “She said he’d keep us safe. Whatever that means.”
“Must be rich.”
“True.”
“Richer than your father.”
“Could be. She said he’s been bribing Logan and Paul into doing their chores.”
Laughing, Zach dumps himself onto the couch next to me. “About time someone corralled those monsters.”
I nod, sighing when he lifts an arm and curves it around me.
Settling into his side, I murmur, “Are those knuckles bruised?”
