“Mom? You should call me later and free up your hands.”
“Nah, don’t be silly. I got one of those earpiece thingies, and I’m hands-free. I just turned to walk in the other direction, and Rocky’s not distracted anymore. The little guys are easy, doing their thing, so I’m all yours.”
My mom was a bit of a kook. Dad walked out on us years ago, and since then she’d spent her time writing romance novels and adopting dogs. She was definitely not your typical stay-at-home mom with milk and cookies on the table, but I loved her.
She’d put her life on hold when she found she was pregnant with me, married my dad, who she never really loved, and tried to make a life in a trailer park. When that failed, she picked up the pieces and raised me as a single mom, making ends meet with her writing and a full-time job in a coffee joint.
“You doing okay, Mom?”
“I’m good. I took in this cat until he gets adopted. He’s a diabetic so it’s tricky, but the Yorkies like him, and Rocky is managing. Oh! I forgot to tell you, my last book went to the top of Amazon’s charts. Not bad for a high school graduate.”
“That’s great, Mom. But do you really need a diabetic cat? Don’t you think you have enough on your plate?”
“It’s one little kitty. The animal league gives me his medicine, so hush up, Blane. Are you ready for your season?”
“Yeah. I’m ready.”
“I’m proud of you, son. You didn’t have to stay in school, could’ve left for the major leagues early, but you’re sticking it out.”
“Mom, it’s the NBA, and I’m going pro after this season. I’ll be good and employable when my professional career ends. I’m a few credits shy of graduating, and I’m wrapping them all up.”
“Blane, honey, I don’t care if you drive trucks like your asshole father. I just want to know you’re happy. I don’t like your future being unknown. Gigi says those agents really take advantage of some guys, so you need to get someone good when you’re ready. I want to make sure your father isn’t advising you, honey.” Her breathing puffed into the phone, and I could hear the dogs yapping in the background.
“Don’t start with Dad. He did the best he could too. And what the heck does Gigi know? She’s a waitress.”
I wasn’t just saying that; my dad did do the best he could. Yes, he was a commercial trucker and spent most of his nights in the cab of his rig after fucking some cheap broad, but he loved me.
“I know; I’m not getting into it about your dad. And Gigi is a waitress down by U of Jacksonville, so she hears things. By the way, is your dad coming up to see you play?”
The way we were bouncing from subject to subject, family member to family member, was giving me a headache. I would rather have gone back to discussing the diabetic cat.
“Yeah, he took some routes up this way so he could stop and see a few home games. And you know he’ll be at the Xavier game, up here before the holidays? The same one you’ll be at, so keep the peace.”
Those two could go at it when given the chance. Unfortunately, it usually ended up in post-divorce make-up sex and another round of bickering, so I tried to keep them separate when I could.
“I know. I wouldn’t miss it . . . seeing my boy play on the hardwood. Never, sweetie. Hey, Rocky!”
“Listen, Mom, go walk the dogs. I’ll talk to you soon.”
“All right, sweetie. Love you.”
“Love you too.”
By the time I ended the call, I was at the bottom of the hill on College Avenue, heading toward Mean Beans. Out of nowhere, I wanted a coffee—except I wasn’t a coffee drinker.
The bells chimed over the door as I stepped into the lavender-hued java mecca.
“Dude!” Ashton yelled from the corner.
Christ, I didn’t need to deal with him again.
“Look at us! A bunch of real coffee drinkers,” he joked.
“And pussies,” I added. “My dad would yank my man card so fast if he knew I was hanging out in gourmet coffee places. The golden arches is for real men.”
“I’ll make sure to let him know you drink lattes now the next time he’s in town.”
I punched Ashton in the shoulder, ignoring his fake wince as I scanned the place and locked in on who I was looking for. Cate sat hunched over a textbook with her long, curly hair hanging around her face, a scone to her left and a steaming cup of something on her right.
Ashton followed my gaze and scowled. “Dude, now’s not the time to get involved.”
“Shut the fuck up, Ash. You’re in a coffee shop too, ogling some blonde.”
“I’m not in line to go pro, and I certainly didn’t make a bet with Sonny.” He poked his finger into my chest and stared me down hard. “And I’m definitely just looking to get laid. You have the eyes of someone wanting to get involved.”
“How the hell would you know?” I muttered while walking to the counter.
Ava brightened when she saw me. As she opened her mouth to greet me, I brought my fingers up to my lips, motioning for her to be quiet.