“You won’t. And thank you for considering me one of your sons.” I tried not to laugh. “Now, can I borrow twenty bucks? Me and Viper wanna go see a movie later.”
Coach rolled his eyes and pushed me toward the door of his office. “I’m not sure which one of you two idiots is going to give me a heart attack first.” He walked around behind his desk and sat down as he pointed to the door. “Out. Go block things. I’ll be down in a bit.”
The first practice of the season always kicked my ass and this year’s was no exception. I work out hard in the off-season and keep in shape, but actual practice is a different kind of workout. Knowing that it was an important contract year for me, I felt even more pressure to block every single shot and focus harder than I ever had before.
After taking Diesel for a walk, I sat down on the couch and saw that I had a missed call.
I dialed my mom back and smiled when her cheery voice picked up. “Hello, my favorite son.”
“Your only son,” I teased.
“If I had ten sons, you’d still be my favorite.”
I laughed. “How are ya, Mom?”
“Good. Busy, busy as usual. How about you?”
“Exhausted. First practice was today and my legs are on fire.” I pushed my palms into my sore quads, trying to give them some relief while suddenly wishing Kacie were going to school to be a massage therapist instead of a nurse. “I’m dreading standing in the shower after this.”
“Poor baby. Sounds like you need a little R & R.”
“Mom, I’ve only had one practice.” I laughed. “I’m not quite in need of a break yet.”
“You work hard, Brody. You could always use a break. When do Lucy and Piper start school?”
“Uh… a couple weeks. Why?”
“Your dad and I were thinking we’d really like to get to know Kacie and the girls better. The hospital wasn’t exactly the ideal location for our first introduction, and other than a few phones calls here and there, we haven’t really talked to her since. Would you four want to come spend next weekend here?”
Kacie and I hadn’t even approached the topic of her bringing the kids to my house yet, let alone my parents’.
“Oh God, you’re not going to interrogate her, are you, Ma?”
“Absolutely not!” she snapped. “But I’d like to get to know the woman who has stolen my son’s heart… and all of his time.”
Ah, so that was it.
“Ahhh, so that’s what this is about. Mom, if you want me to come home for a weekend, just ask.”
“Of course I miss seeing you, but I do want to get to know Kacie and the girls. I promise, no ulterior motives here.”
“Okay. Let me talk to her and have her look at her work schedule, and I’ll get back to you tomorrow, okay?”
“Sounds good! One more question—will you be in town two weeks from Friday? I have to come into the city for my scans and since it’ll be a long day, I was hoping I could stay there. Maybe a mother-son sleepover?”
My stomach dropped. I knew these scans were normal and just a precaution, but I got anxious every time she had to have them. Though I would never admit it to her, I had never completely let go of the fear that her cancer would come back. I’d feel better in a couple weeks when she got the all clear from her doctor.
“Of course, Mom,” I said flatly.
She sensed my tension. “Honey, relax. These are just routine scans.”
“I know, I know. This will be fun. I’ll grab a bunch of movies and cook you dinner.” I tried to sound upbeat.
“That sounds perfect, actually.”
“Great. I’ll pick up Saw, Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Night of the Living Dead… Wait, do you like Freddy or Jason?”
“Anything with Meg Ryan in it.”
“Mom,” I whined. “She’s in chick movies. I don’t want to watch chick movies, especially not with my mother.”
“You want Toll House bars?” she threatened with a laugh.
Mmmm. Toll House bars.
She knew my weakness.
“Evil, Mom. That’s evil.” I sighed. “You’ve Got Mail or Sleepless in… wherever?”
Completely exhausted from work, I came home and made dinner for everyone, even though it was the last thing I wanted to do. My mom never batted an eye when I asked her if she would watch the girls for me while I worked, so cooking dinner was the least I could do. Things would be easier in a couple weeks when school started for them.
I tucked the girls in and collapsed on my bed, hugging my cell phone while I waited for Brody’s call. I’d gotten so used to having him at the inn, it was hard not being able to run up to his guest room and snuggle up with him for a bit.
My text alert went off and I jumped, not realizing I’d dozed off.
B: YOU STILL AWAKE?
I didn’t waste time texting back, I needed to hear his voice.
“Hey.” A big sigh sounded in my ear as he answered the phone.
“Uh oh, that doesn’t sound good.” My heart sunk.
Does he know something about Zach? No, there was no way. Right?
“Sorry, just a long day.” He yawned. “I’m glad you’re still awake.”
His yawn was contagious. “Barely.”
“How was work?”