Lucky 13 (Deadlines & Diamonds)

by Kearns, Morgan

  “Yeah.” She rubbed his biceps. “I loved meeting your friends.”

  “They liked you.” He kissed her.

  “That’s good. I’d hate to think of them screwing themselves.”

  His chuckle bubbled up from his toes. She put her hands on his cheeks and took his lips. “I’d better get home.”

  “Call me when you get there.”

  He kissed her again, but let her go before he wasn’t able to let her leave. She waved before getting into the driver’s seat of her car. He watched them back out and drive away and realized a piece of his heart went with them.

  8

  “Where we goin’ today?”

  Ricky glanced up into the rearview mirror and smiled at Matt. The kid had asked that same question at least a dozen times since they’d pulled out of the parking garage two blocks ago.

  “I told you you’re gonna have to wait and see.” Because Ricky wasn’t one-hundred percent sure they would end up where he’d planned.

  It’d been a long time since he’d brought a girl home. Truth was Teresa had been the last one. She’d stuck around even when he hadn’t.

  Shayne’s hand tightened on his. He grabbed hold as if she were his lifeline in a torrent sea. She offered another squeeze, lifting their clutched fingers to her lips.

  “It’s okay. We don’t have to go.”

  He chuckled softly. “You don’t even know where we’re goin’.”

  “I don’t have to. Something’s got you all tied in knots and I don’t need psychic ability to figure out it’s got everything to do with the direction this car is heading.” Deep sigh followed by a shrug. “Make a U-turn. We’ll hit the Redbox and hang out in front of the TV. Our place or yours. Doesn’t matter.”

  And that’s when Ricky knew he loved her. Stick a fork in him, he was done. Gone. He’d fallen. In. Love. With. Shayne Xavier.

  He also knew there was no way he could turn around now. He had to finish the drive and the introductions.

  Shayne didn’t release her hold on his hand during the duration of the drive. She ran her thumb over his skin, offering the only peace she could offer with Matt listening to every word from the backseat.

  They pulled up in front of Mama’s, and Ricky turned off the car. Shayne’s wide eyes met his. She yanked her hand away, sat back in the seat, her body pulling a two-by-four.

  “Is this some kind of joke?” She snorted through a frown. “’Cause it’s really not funny.”

  “No joke.” At least not yet. Sure as he sat here now, he’d become the butt before they were able to escape.

  Then, as he took in the hurt on her face, it dawned on him. He hadn’t ever noticed how quaint his mom’s diner was, nor had he caught how much it looked like Shayne’s.

  “No, Mama is my mamacita.” He pounded his fist against his chest. “My madre.” He took her hand in his. “I want her to meet you.”

  Silence stretched on for a lifetime and when his vision began to fuzz, he gulped in a breath. Shayne only stared through the window in the direction of the diner, not even blinking. Ricky reached for the keys to start the car again, but Matt had a different idea. He slapped the back of her seat twice and opened his door.

  “Come on, Mom. I’m starving.” He looked at Ricky. “Where’s the bathroom?”

  “Inside and down the hallway to your left. You know which way is left, right?”

  Matt rolled his eyes, held up both hands, extending the index fingers and thumbs. Using his right finger he traced the L his left hand formed and grinned. “Yep. I’m good.” And with that, he hopped out, closing the door with a slam.

  As if she hadn’t heard or witnessed any of the exchange or the crack of the door, she shifted in her seat to look at him. “You want me to meet…your mom?” She shook her head. “I don’t know. I, um…”

  “Listen, it’s no big deal.” He reached for the door handle. “I’ll just run in and grab Matt and—”

  “Meeting your friends is one thing, but meeting your mother…that’s a very big deal.” She relaxed a bit, seeking his hand with her long slender fingers. “I guess I just didn’t think we were there yet.”

  They were definitely there all right. At least he was. It’d only been a couple of months, but he’d marry her tomorrow. He hadn’t considered Shayne wasn’t ready for the next step in their relationship.

  He forced a smile to his lips, wondering if he looked more like a pissed off sock monkey. “The way I see it, I’ve met your family. All of them.” He frowned. “Or have I?”

  “No. You have.”

  He nodded. “So, there you go. X may or may not approve of us seeing each other, but Frankie likes me okay. I know Matt thinks I’m an okay guy.”

  Her amused snort surprised him. “He adores you.”

  Ricky couldn’t fight his grin, not that he tried. “I adore him, too. He’s an awesome kid, Shayne. You should be really proud.”

  Her genuine smile warmed him from the inside out. “I am.”

  “Of you. You should be very proud of yourself. You have an awesome, well-rounded, respectful kid. That’s not an easy task for a single mom.” As tears shimmered in the depths of her chocolate eyes, his heart twisted in a knot. “Ah, amor, I’m sorry.”

  She smiled again, watery yet sincere. “Thank you. It wasn’t always easy and now that he’s getting older, it’s even more difficult. So, thanks.”

  He leaned across the seat, put his fist under her chin and tipped it up. A sweet and gentle brush of lips. She leaned into him, her low moan and sensual sweep of tongue sent his libido into outer space.

  It took more self-control than he knew he possessed to ease away from her. He rested his forehead against hers. “Shayne, I’m crazy about you. I want to take you inside, get a little something to eat and I’d really love for you to meet my mom. The rest of my insane family, not so much, but I guess they’re part of the package, too.”

  “I met Eddie. He seemed really nice.”

  “You caught him on a good day.” He feathered his lips across the tip of her nose. “Will you go inside with me?”

  “Yes.” No hesitation. “If—”

  He swallowed his heart back into his chest.

  “—you’ll answer one question.”

  He somehow managed an up and down of his chin.

  “Was this little family get-together what had you freakin’ out all the way here?”

  Another nod.

  “Why?”

  “That definition could rival War and Peace. How about we go inside, endure whatever explosion might come of it, and we can assess my screwed up family after you’ve witnessed it firsthand.”

  Her laugher rumbled deep from her belly. He didn’t bother to tell her he wasn’t kidding.

  ***

  Shayne fidgeted in the passenger seat, waiting while Ricky hurried around the front of the car to open her door. He nearly vibrated with nervous energy. She kept telling herself it had nothing to do with her, that his family had him pulling the cat-on-a-hot-tin-roof routine. Apprehension snuck into her subconscious, sweat soaking her palms. She rubbed her hands over her thighs, the rough, faded blue denim worked great as a paper towel.

  The door opened and she flashed Ricky a smile. Her cheeks shook and she hoped he missed the evidence of her insecurity. Whether he did or not, he didn’t react one way or the other, simply held out a hand.

  “Come on, mujer bonita.” He tugged her arm gently and she got out of the car. “You wore your chainmail under those clothes, didn’t you?”

  “Uh-huh.” She slipped a finger down the deep V of her blouse and scratched her cleavage. “Let’s hurry this up, it’s starting to chafe.”

  He threw his head back and barked out his amusement. “Well, that’s a damn shame. I’d be happy to lotion your sore spots later.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Come on, Casanova, we keep talkin’ like this and we’ll get ourselves in trouble.”

  Shayne feared she might already be in serious trouble. Ricky’s sweet adora
tion, his subtle strength, his laugh, his kisses, his sexy smiles, his… Everything about him, the entire package. She was falling for him.

  Her heart hammered in her chest, but not from the excitement of perhaps feeling the L-word. She shivered.

  “You cold?”

  “No.”

  His warm hand stroked over her forearm. “You have goosebumps.”

  “I’m just excited to meet your mom.”

  He shook his head. “You’re not a very good liar, ya know.”

  Yeah, she did know that about herself. She also knew she just happened to be scared shitless. Her adrenaline spiked as he stopped within a foot of the front door and traced a finger down her cheek, pushing her another inch closer to the precipice.

  “We don’t have to do this.”

  She put her arms around his neck and stretched up on her tiptoes to get as close to him as she could. She might be freaking out, but there was no need to drag him through the fire with her. She kissed his cheek, then whispered, “Yes, we do. I’m fine. We’re fine. Let’s do it.”

  She felt his breath race past her ear to rush in and fill his lungs. His exhale accompanied hers as he squeezed her tight.

  With his hand gripping hers, he whipped the door open. A tiny bell above the door chimed and her name sounded from the corner. She glanced over to see Matt talking to a woman, a waitress going by the white apron around her waist. Her smile faded, her shrewd eyes purposely moving to where Ricky held onto Shayne’s hand. His fingers tensed around hers.

  “Hey, Teresa. I thought you were off on Saturdays.” Ricky let go of her hand and motioned for her to slide into the circular booth, putting her between the two men in her life.

  Shayne settled herself and looked up to see Teresa throw her entire body at Ricky. He put one arm around her waist to steady her. She planted a kiss right on his lips. Shayne managed to smother her gasp. Matt wasn’t as good at hiding his surprise; his jaw dropped, his eyes bugged wide. He coughed a snort that quickly turned into a full-fledged guffaw.

  Teresa ignored everyone but Ricky. She licked her lips and ran a hand over his chest as she stepped away. “It’s been too long.”

  He pushed the back of his hand over his grimace, his brows forming a frown. Ice chips coated his dark stare. “Not cool, Teresa.”

  She cocked a hip. “I didn’t realize things changed between us.”

  “Bullshit.”

  Matt frowned. “I thought you said your ningún buen hijo de tu puta madre husband just left you for some puta.”

  Disgust crossed Ricky’s face. His dark eyes flew open. He shook his head at Matt then glared at Teresa. “You dumpin’ your problems at the doorstep of a kid. You’ve got more class than that. At least you did.” The muscle in his jaw did a backflip. “Sprite and two Diet Cokes—”

  “You don’t drink—”

  “Please,” he ground out.

  Teresa turned on her heel, but still managed a sexy sashay into the kitchen. The door flip-flipped once before Ricky turned on Matt. His eyes narrowed, his expression strained, he pointed his finger at her son. “If I ever hear that kind of language come out of your mouth again, I’m going to have to kick your butt.” His voice rumbled with the menace of his stare. “Do you hear me, young man?”

  Matt nodded. “I didn’t know—”

  “Huh-uh.” Ricky shook his head. “You really gonna add lyin’ to talkin’ like a trucker?”

  It was Matt’s turn to shake his head.

  Ricky’s expression softened slightly. “You may not have known exactly what the words meant, but you damn sure knew they weren’t kid appropriate. Am I right?”

  “Yeah.” Matt pursed his lips and concentrated on the Formica table top. “Sorry.”

  “Hey!” Ricky rapped his knuckles on the table. Matt jerked and looked up. “It’s good. We’re good.” Ricky held those same knuckles out and, with a smile in place, Matt raised his.

  And just like that, it was over. Situation diffused. The two started to talk about the upcoming basketball tryouts at Matt’s school and girls and how Matt liked his classes. As the smile spread over her face and love filled her heart, Shayne realized if any other man had spoken to her son the way Ricky just had, she’d have gone all Mama-Bear on his ass!

  The conversation droned. She listened to them, feeling the mutual respect they had for each other. That’s what the difference was. This man actually liked her son. He hadn’t scolded him because he wanted to be Big Man on Campus.

  Matt had done something wrong. Ricky corrected him. End of story.

  Panic pricked at her because she accepted the help. Matt wasn’t ever outright disrespectful, but sometimes he did get lippy, defiant. Ricky’s reprimand didn’t get so much as a batted eyelash.

  Shayne jerked out of her reverie as cups of soda clashed with the hard table top.

  “Sprite, two Diet Cokes and a regular Coke for you.” Teresa only had eyes for Ricky. “’Cause I know you don’t drink the diet crap.” Ricky opened his mouth, but she raised her hand. “Don’t worry, I didn’t spit in any of them. Your mom just got back. She’ll be out in a minute.”

  ***

  She’d given birth to him for hell’s sake! However, as Elena Santiago pushed her way through the swinging kitchen door and walked around the bar, Ricky’s stomach dropped to his Nikes.

  His mother’s face lit up, her eyes twinkling when they landed on Shayne and Matt. She ran her hands over her apron and tightened the bow. He’d never noticed how thin she was, delicate with tiny bones, maybe because, to him, his mother came from tough stock.

  Her parents had been immigrants looking for a better life. They’d worked hard and taught their daughter to do the same. In turn, she’d passed the legacy on to her sons. One of them, at least, if Eddie’s opinion was to be believed.

  “Enrique!”

  He stood to receive her hug.

  She barely reached his chin, her hair catching in the scruff of his beard. A grin split her lips when she turned to Shayne and stuck out her hand, extending it across the table. “I’m Elena Santiago and this boy belongs to me.”

  “Shayne Xavier.” She smiled and ruffled Matt’s hair. “And this boy belongs to me.”

  Matt took Elena’s hand and shook it gently. “I’m Matt.”

  “It’s so nice to meet you both.” She looked at the sodas they’d barely touched. “Are you hungry?”

  “I’m starving!” Matt rubbed at his stomach. “She never feeds me.”

  Ricky chuckled along with his mother. Satisfaction shone in her eyes. Elena composed her face, trying to look serious and crossed her arms over her chest. “Stand up, boy.”

  Matt did as he’d been instructed, no questions asked. Elena stepped up to him, plucked at the sleeve of his t-shirt, poked at his belly. She nodded as if she’d solved global warming.

  “You’re right. You are wasting away to nothing. Let’s get you something to eat before you turn into dust and blow away.”

  Ricky felt a little bad for Matt as he slunk down into the booth while the adults around him laughed. Ricky staunched his chuckles and spoke to his mother. “We’ll take three of the special.”

  She dropped her chin in a nod. “Be right back.”

  “What’s the special?”

  Ricky shrugged. “I don’t know, but it’ll be good whatever it is. Mama’s a great cook.”

  “Not better than my mama.”

  Ricky loved the defensive tone Matt took on and tried to stay stoic. “I can’t say one way or the other.”

  “I’m tellin’ you.” Matt leaned forward, resting his forearms on the table. Shayne bit her lip to keep her grin to herself.

  “I gotta go with what I know, my man.” Ricky matched Matt’s pose. “I’ve not tasted your mama’s cooking.”

  Matt took on the expression of person slapped by a salmon, his eyes bugging, his mouth gaping. Composing himself, he whipped around and looked at Shayne. “Mom! He’s right. We gotta cook him dinner. Well, not really we ‘cause I
can’t cook anything but toast—and grilled cheese sandwiches. When are you gonna cook dinner for him? Tomorrow?” He nodded, satisfied. “Yeah, tomorrow should work.”

  “Hold on there, chief.” Shayne’s reproof came in the form of a hand on his arm. Ricky cleared his throat and pretended his pride didn’t sting. Her fingers came to rest on his forearm and she smiled. “We’ll do dinner soon, but it doesn’t have to be decided right now.” She squeezed gently. “You okay with that?”

  “Yep. Totally okay.” He wasn’t sure he’d convinced himself, much less her, but the words were spoken and he wasn’t about to go all Nancy and take them back.

  Thankfully, his mother stepped out of the kitchen, a large tray balanced on her shoulder. She approached the table, grinning like a fool. Plates slid into place and Ricky frowned when the fourth one landed. He rolled his eyes when Mama sat down next to him.

  “Slide over, Enrique.” She raised her brows and looked pointedly at Shayne. “I’m sure she doesn’t bite.”

  “She bit me once.” Matt lifted his fork as Shayne gawked at him.

  “I did not.” Color flooded her cheeks and Ricky leaned in to check for steam coming out of her ears.

  “Yeah, you did. I can’t believe you don’t remember, Mom.” He turned his attention on his audience. “I think I was like three or something. I was little. I bit Mikey.” He waved his fork to the right, emphasizing his next words. “He lived next door. Anyway…I bit him and to teach me a lesson, she bit me. Not hard, but I never forgot it. Ever. I’ll never bite anyone ever, ever again.”

  Story finished, he sank his fork into the enchiladas Mama’s was famous for.

  ***

  Holy Crap!

  Had her son really just thrown her under the bus like that?

  Heat blossomed in her body, making her sweat glands go turbo. Shayne debated using her napkin to mop up the extra moisture before it started running down her arms to pool on the seat and soaking Ricky’s jeans.

  The idea of wet denim clinging to his muscular legs and butt held merit. However, the ew! factor in this particular scenario negated it.