“I don’t know. You seem… distracted.”
How do mothers know these things? Was there some sort of alarm system attached to the uterus that let them know when something was going on internally with one of their kids?
“I’m fine, Mom.”
“Let’s not do that thing where you pretend to be a big strong man who doesn’t like to talk to his mom about his problems. You’re my son. I love you. What’s going on?”
I sighed. “My first game of the season is a week from tomorrow and I’m stressed about it.” I set my bowl on the coffee table and rubbed my temples.
“Brody Murphy, stressed? About a game?” Her eyebrows rose in surprise and her eyes grew wide. “That’s a first.”
“No, it’s not.”
“Oh please! From the time you were eight years old, your dad and I would tell you good luck before a big game and you would say—” She set her bowl down and stood up. Puffing her chest out and marching around the living room, she imitated me. “I don’t need luck. I’m Brody Murphy. I got skills.”
I laughed and shook my head. “Was I really that much of a punk?”
“Not a punk. Confident. There’s a difference.” She chuckled and sat back down. “You backed up what you said, Brody. That’s all that matters. Now, why are you so nervous about next week?”
“My contract is up at the end of this year and I’m not getting any younger. The pressure to perform is at an all-time high.”
“Oh.” Concern canceled out her previously playful tone. “I didn’t realize this was a contract year.”
“Yeah. Growing up in Minnesota, I never imagined playing anywhere else. I love it here, especially now because of Kacie and the girls. The thought of leaving them behind to play somewhere else…” I couldn’t even finish the sentence.
“Don’t think like that. Like you said, you’ve always been a live-in-the-moment kind of person and it suits you. Don’t worry too much about the future just yet.”
“I know, but now I have a reason to worry about my future.”
She leaned back in her chair and crossed her arms over her chest. “Look at you,” she said, narrowing her eyes and smiling at me.
“What?”
“You are completely smitten, aren’t you?”
I nodded. “Beyond.”
“Think you’ll marry her?”
“I’d marry her tomorrow if I could, but she needs to go slow right now. She’s still fighting some demons from her past.”
“Stuff with her ex?” she asked cautiously.
“Yep.”
“What happened with that anyway?”
“He was an ass. Walked out on her and the girls.” I would be thankful every day for the rest of my life that that asshole left; otherwise, I might never have met Kacie. Still, thinking about the way he treated her made my fucking blood boil. “From what she’s said, he wasn’t all that great to her when they were together.”
“That’s too bad. Has she seen him at all?” she asked as she picked her bowl up off the coffee table and started eating again.
“Nothing. He literally walked out on them. Left her a damn note. I don’t think he’s even called once.”
“Wow.” Her brows pulled together and she tilted her head to the side. “She’s one tough cookie, isn’t she?”
“That’s an understatement.”
“Must be. I know women do it every single day, but I can’t imagine raising you and Shae on my own, especially as young as she was when he left. And twins?” She shook her head back and forth in disbelief. “Forget it. That’s insane.”
“Sophia’s helped her a lot, but she’s stubborn as hell and tries to do as much as she can on her own.”
A loud knock on my door echoed throughout my living room.
My mom looked at me with a puzzled expression on her face. “Are you expecting anyone?”
“Nope.” I jumped up and went to my door. It was barely halfway open when Viper came barreling through it.
“What’s up, ass clown!” He slapped me on the shoulder as he walked past me. “Dude, I just got the number of the hottest blonde ever with the most amazing tits down in your lobby. She has no idea that I’m going to be fucking the shit out of her in about”—he craned his neck to look at the clock on my oven—”five hours.”
“Hi, Lawrence,” my mom called out.
Viper’s eyes grew huge and his face turned red as he slowly turned toward my living room and peeked around the corner at my mom. His head snapped back at me as he whispered loudly, “Thanks for telling me your mom was here, douche.”
“You didn’t give me a chance.” I laughed, closing my front door and following him into the living room.
“Hi, Mrs. Murphy.” Viper walked over and gave her shoulders a quick hug. “Sorry about that.”
It was hilarious watching him backtrack like a little kid.
“Want some beef stew, idiot?” I asked, trying to save him from any more embarrassment.