“Understanding’snotthe problem, Mom.Hearin’about it is the problem.”
His mother laughed. “Well, it doesn’t change the fact that it’s true.”
Unfortunately.“So you haven’t heard from him lately?”
“No. Like I said, it’s been about a year.”
“Did you know he was arrested a few months ago?”
“Arrested?” She sounded sincerely shocked. “Why? What happened?”
Well, that told Reese exactly how much effort Z had put into this. If he had to guess, his brother wanted to look like he was doing a good deed, but he didn’t want to be the one to have to get up close and personal with the guy who’d banged their mom at one point in her life.
He put his hand on his stomach, wishing his churning gut would settle. This was not exactly how he’d wanted to spend a Saturday. Or any day, for that matter.
Reese gave his mother the high-level details based on the police report he’d managed to wrangle up. If he hadn’t known the man, he would’ve thought it was a plot for some action-comedy based on the description from the police officer whose car had been hit.
“No one’s that unlucky,” Cindy said with a hint of amusement in her tone.
“Toby is.” Reese sighed. “Do you happen to have a way to get in touch with him? I’ve got a phone number, but it’s disconnected.”
“Toby’s the type who drops by when he’s in the mood. I’ve never called him.”
Reese groaned.
Another soft laugh sounded in his ear, but then thankfully, his mother changed the subject. “How’re you feeling?”
“Physically, I’m fine,” he assured her. “Mentally, I’ll be screwed up for the rest of my life.”
“So dramatic. I guess it’s a good thing you’re not in charge of the wedding. How’s Brantley?”
“He’s good.” Reese’s gaze drifted across the open space to Brantley’s office. “Really good.”
His mother sighed. “I’m glad to hear it. I’m glad things are workin’ out for you boys.”
Yeah, he was, too. Nearly losing the man he loved had been a life lesson he never wanted to relive. Now that he had a second chance, he knew there was nothing and no one who would stand in the way of him doing everything in his power to make that man happy.
“Anything else you want to interrogate me about?” Cindy asked, her tone light. “Perhaps you’d like me to forewarn you about Hugh’s friend Mark.”
“Mom!”
Cindy giggled uncontrollably. “Fine. I won’t tell you. But if he’s ever in trouble, I’ll make sure Hugh knows you don’t want the details.”
Reese groaned so hard it made his throat raw, and that seemed to entertain his mother even more.
“Any more questions about Toby?” she prompted when her laughter faded.
“Not at this time, but I reserve the right to change that in the future.”
His mother laughed, and it made Reese relax a little. Although he didn’t care to think about her sex life, he was glad his mother was happy. That was truly all that mattered in the long run.
“If you do find Toby, be nice to him, Reese. He’s a very sweet man, even if he doesn’t always make the soundest decisions.”
Figuring his poor heart couldn’t handle the details of what she might be referring to, he opted not to ask her to clarify. “I’ll tell him you said hello.”
“All right. Remember, we’ll be coming down in a couple of weeks. I’m meeting with Iris to finalize some of the details for the wedding. And I fully intend to be there when you go for your tuxedo fitting.”
“I’m pretty sure I can do that on my own. I’ve been dressin’ myself for years now.”
