Sitting at the table was my mom, her hands cupping the coffee mug. The seat beside her had another mug. “Sit down, Amanda.”
Oh shit…
I cleared my throat. “Is everything alright?”
She shook her head. “I understand that you and Braxton have been seen around town together on his motorcycle. Is this true?”
So Toby hadn’t narked on me? I swallowed hard. First off, her using Brax’s given name wasn’t a sign that this was going to go smoothly. Secondly, there was a tone my mom had when she was disappointed. I heard it in spades. Or maybe she was more concerned with me riding around town on the back of a motorcycle.
“I thought you liked Brax?”
Mom took a deep breath and released it. “I adore Brax. Mandy, you know I do. He’s been part of the family for years.”
“So what’s the problem?” My blood pressure was steadily rising by the second. This didn’t make any sense.
“Mandy, please sit down.” It wasn’t stated as a question.
I reluctantly did as she asked and settled into the ladder-back chairs we’d had for decades.
Facing me, she forced a smile. “I just want you to be careful, that’s all.”
“He doesn’t ride crazy or anything.”
“This isn’t just about you riding around on the back of a motorcycle, which quite honestly, terrifies me to no end. It’s about you not having your heart broken again.”
I was more than a little stunned that my mom didn’t seem at all happy with the idea of Brax and me. She’d always doted on him when he was over, which was a lot. “Mom, I’m a big girl, and Brax is a really nice guy.”
The corners of her mouth lifted. “Yes, I know you’re a grown woman and can make decisions on your own, but I feel like I need to remind you that Brax is just twenty-two.”
“He’s mature for his age,” I blurted.
Reaching out, she touched my hand and squeezed. “Brax is at a different place in his life than you are. He’s never had a serious girlfriend, and to be quite honest, I don’t know if he’s ready…or if you are for that matter.”
What the hell? She had never gotten in the middle of my relationship with Ross, so I was really confused why she seemed so interested in my relationship with Brax. “What, because I’d been with a man for seven years and Brax’s longest relationship has only been a couple months in comparison? Christ, Mom, it’s not like we’re getting married.”
“Well, that’s a relief,” she stated, then seeing my stunned reaction, pressed her lips together.
This wasn’t adding up.
She breathed in heavily through her nose and released it out of her mouth. Her way of calming down, she always said. I felt like I was the one who needed to calm down. I hadn’t lived at home in seven years, and since I’d left I hadn’t had her tell me what to do, and I liked it that way. I was a grown woman and if I wanted her opinion, I’d ask her, thank you very much.
“Again, you’re just coming off the heels of a bad breakup...”
Great, like I needed that reminder. “Yeah, and speaking of my bad breakup, Brax has helped me forget I had my heart ripped out.”
She squeezed my hand again. “You just need time to heal and be single. Getting involved right out of the gate just isn’t wise, sweetheart. You don’t need to be Brax’s flavor of the month.”
Had she actually just said that?
I clenched my teeth together and had to refrain from getting up and walking out. I probably would have had my dad not chosen that moment to walk in.
He stopped short and looked surprised to see me. “Hey, Mandy. What are you up to?”
Every single time I saw him, I was reminded of just how much he had aged in the years I’d been away. He walked slower and had a belly that extended over the waistband of his work pants.
“Hi Dad,” I said, pulling my hand out from underneath Mom’s hand. “Mom asked me over for coffee, or rather, asked me over to be grilled.”
Mom cleared her throat and shifted in her seat a bit, looking slightly ruffled that I had thrown her under the bus. “We were just talking about Brax.”
Obviously they had discussed Brax, because Dad’s brows lifted and he said, “That would be my cue to leave…after I get my cup of coffee. I’ll be out of your hair in a sec.”
“Tell your daughter why you think dating Brax would be a mistake,” Mom said in the middle of him pouring a cup.
To his credit, he didn’t miss a beat. He continued pouring his coffee, then bringing the steaming mug to his lips, he blew on it as he leaned against the counter. “My dear, Amanda is a woman who is capable of making her own decisions.”
I could have kissed him.
My mom glared at my dad. “Well, aren’t you just Mr. Helpful.”
“I love the boy like he’s my own,” Dad said with a shrug. “If Mandy chooses to date him, then let her. He’s already like family, and Toby doesn’t seem to mind.”
Mom lifted her chin. “Actually, I don’t think he’s too happy about it. It’s just too soon for Mandy to get involved with anyone. I mean, like you, I love Brax. I do, but I also know his reputation.”
“Hon, forgive me,” Dad said, obviously treading carefully. “But I don’t think it’s your choice.”
“You agreed with me last night though, didn’t you?” Oh God, I knew that tone, and so did my dad because he gave me the “there she goes” look. “At least you were nodding to what I was saying, and if I’m not mistaken, that would be considered agreement.”
“After thirty years together, my dear, I know better than to disagree with you, and yet if you’re going to put me on the spot like you’re doing at this moment, I’m going to tell you what I really think. Our daughter can make up her own mind. Like I said, I like Brax. He’s a good kid who has an excellent head on his shoulders. How many young men at twenty-two own their own business? True, he might be a bit unruly at times, but what do you expect when you have a father like his?”
“That’s right,” Mom replied, like she’d just remembered something important. “They’ve partied one too many times together, and there was that rumor going around that they had shared a woman or two.”
Just what I wanted to hear. I sat up straighter in my chair and took a sip of the lukewarm coffee that had too much sugar in it. “He’s working on my house,” I said. “It’s not like I can fire him.”
“You can still be friends, honey,” Mom said, patting my hand. “It’s not like you have to cut him off at the knees. Tell me it’s not that serious.”
I mean, Brax was my boyfriend, right? Granted, we hadn’t been out much in public, aside from the bike rides and picking out construction materials, but that hadn’t been intentional. We just preferred staying in. She stared at me, and I didn’t know how honest I needed to be.
Looking flustered, Mom stood and walked into the hallway. “Toby, will you come in here, please?”
“Oh my God.” I ran a hand down my face.
“Brax is your brother’s best friend. If it doesn’t bother Toby, then I guess we’re fine with it.”
Toby, wearing a pair of track pants and a nearly threadbare concert t-shirt, walked into the kitchen. His hair was wet and slicked back, and he had tiny bits of toilet paper stuck to his face where he’d cut himself shaving. “Hey, what’s up?”
“Your father and I were talking to Mandy about Brax.”
Toby’s gaze settled on me and I felt my cheeks grow hot, yet I maintained eye contact.
“What are your thoughts about Brax and Mandy seeing each other?” Mom said off-handedly. “I mean, he’s your friend, and we all know his reputation with women…”
Toby’s head snapped to our mom. “Are you fucking serious?”
My mother gasped. “Tobias Glen Hathaway, do you want me to wash your mouth out with soap?”
“Apologize to your mother for your language,” Dad said in a firm voice. In my lifetime, I’d heard my dad cuss maybe ten times.
Dad has always been
a pushover, but the one thing he didn’t stand for was disrespecting our mother.
“I’m sorry for my language, Mom.” Toby came up behind her and gave her a hug. “Brax is my friend. He’s a good guy who would give anyone the shirt off his back. You should know that better than anyone.”
Mom pressed her lips together.
“And if Amanda wants to date him, then she should,” Toby said, giving me a nudge. “Yeah, he’s not known for committing to women. Amanda knows that, so she’s going in with her eyes wide open, right?”
There was that constant reminder about not wanting to trust him. I smiled, more relieved than I had thought I would be. His blessing meant everything. The last thing I wanted was to come in between the two of them.
“If that’s all, I’m going to get dressed.” Toby glanced at Mom, who shook her head.
I had every intention of leaving with him.
“I think this conversation is finished,” my dad said, “so I’ll be out back in the workshop.” He walked over and gave me a hug. “See you Sunday night for dinner, right?”
“Right. See you then.”
Mom shook her head once Dad and Toby had left the room. “They are men, so what do they know?” She put her hands on my shoulders. “Honey, I’ve heard from the lady who does my hair that Heather might be pregnant with Brax’s baby.”
I felt the blood drain from my face. Oh my God, not again.
Is that the reason why Heather was stalking Brax? Was she pregnant and just not saying anything to him until she knew for sure? But why wouldn’t she tell him, especially if she knew he was seeing me? Wouldn’t she have just come out with it that day at Brax’s house?
Mom gave me a hug, and I resisted the urge to bawl my eyes out. What if it was true? What if Heather was pregnant? He would marry her, and then….
Fuck! No wonder my mom was warning me.
“I’m sorry, sweetie. I didn’t want to say anything, and yet I have to.”
“They’re probably just rumors.” I didn’t even sound convincing. “I mean, what did Toby say?”
“I didn’t say anything to him,” she said under her breath. “I felt like I needed to tell you first and let you know what you’re up against.”
She rested her hand on my shoulder and leaned in close. “Just tell me that you’ll guard your heart. I don’t want to see you get hurt again, sweetie. I remember those phone calls all too well after Ross broke the news to you.”
“Mom, I will. I promise,” I said, just wanting to get out of here and talk to Brax. “Plus, Brax and I aren’t that serious anyway. We’re just having fun together. He’s making me forget about Ross and trust me, I need that.”
* * *
Brax
My heart skipped a beat. I had walked up to the Hathaway’s front door, my hand moving to the doorbell, when I heard Mandy’s voice. “Mom, I will. I promise. Plus, Brax and I aren’t that serious anyway. We’re just having fun together. He’s making me forget about Ross and trust me, I need that.”
“That’s a relief,” Mandy’s mom replied. “I don’t want you getting in over your head so soon.”
In over her head? Mrs. Hathaway had been like a second mom to me, and it killed me to think that she didn’t approve of me dating her daughter. Aside from the fact I was just shy of five years younger than Amanda, I couldn’t see why she would be bothered by us dating.
“It’s not that serious,” Amanda said. “I know the last thing I need is to have my heart broken by a bad boy with a dangerous reputation.”
I lowered my hand from the screen door to my side and debated on what to do. Since I hadn’t heard from Toby, I wanted to clear the air between us. I had been stunned to see Mandy’s car in the driveway, and yet strangely excited. I had hoped that we could finally act like the couple I thought we were.
I lingered at the front door for a second, waiting to hear more. My pulse was pounding in my ears. And here I thought we’d had something real.
The same woman who had lain in my arms last night, who had told me she loved me, was now saying that we were just having fun together. That she wouldn’t fall for a guy like me? A bad boy with a dangerous reputation? What the hell?
Wow. And here I’d thought we had more than that. I had been invested one hundred percent in this relationship. Apparently I was the only one. After all, I was only a distraction for Mandy. Someone to help her get over the loss of her fiancé, a man she would probably take back in a heartbeat.
I was the first to admit I didn’t have the best reputation when it came to commitment. I’d had a lot of women in my time. I had hoped to prove to Mandy that I cared for her in a way I hadn’t cared about those other women. Trust would always be a huge issue with her, and I had done my best to make sure she knew that I wouldn’t hurt her.
Apparently not enough though. Or maybe she hadn’t even been interested in commitment. Maybe all she wanted was a piece of ass to make her feel better about herself.
Well, mission accomplished.
Resisting the urge to knock on the door to see the look on her face, I instead took a step away from the door and started walking back to my truck.
Was that how Toby felt, too? That I wasn’t good enough for his sister? I’d heard his warning loud and clear, and that’s why I had felt the need to come by and talk to him.
Granted, I didn’t know what it was like to have a sister, and maybe I wouldn’t exactly love the idea of my best friend dating that sister just in case the relationship went sideways, but I would sure as hell support the relationship if they really cared about each other.
And I really cared for Mandy.
I loved her…and I thought she loved me. She had said she did. Or had that been a lie, too?
My father’s words to me shortly after my eighteenth birthday came back to haunt me. ‘I know you hate me for leaving you and your mom, but it was complicated. The relationship had just run its course, and I couldn’t give any more. Women are hard to understand. You see that already. Look at you—you’re already a chip off the old block.’ He’d given me a pat on the back, like that was something I was supposed to be happy about.
Amanda had called me a bad boy, a term I had heard cross her lips more than once. Apparently Mrs. Hathaway, a lady I loved like a second mom, was worried for her daughter, so my reputation must scare her.
I ran my hand through my hair and was stunned to see it was shaking.
It’s not that I felt like I was a bad boy or a womanizer in any way. Granted, I hadn’t felt an intense relationship with any of the girls I’d dated…until Mandy had come along.
Or maybe I’d underestimated the Hathaways’ affection for me. It was all right that I was friends with their son, but being with their daughter was different and not entirely acceptable.
My hands gripped the steering wheel tight. I would have given this relationship absolutely everything.
Always, I had been on the breaking up side of ending a relationship, and now I felt like the rug had been ripped out from underneath me. Apparently “the player” had been officially played. I still couldn’t understand why she would tell me she loved me. She had been the first one to say it, too…or maybe she had just been reacting to good sex.
And our sex had been pretty mind-blowing. I’d never had such a satisfying lover.
Maybe I needed to be more like Amanda and focus on the fact that we’d been having fun together. Maybe taking a page from her book wouldn’t be such a bad thing.
* * *
Amanda
The second I’d left my parents’ house, I’d phoned Kara to see if she’d heard any news about Heather possibly carrying Brax’s baby. She’d checked Heather’s social media feeds and came up with nothing except a flat belly shot from the past weekend.
“No fucking way she’s pregnant,” had been Kara’s reply.
“But if they slept together last week, she could be…” I’d countered.
“Ask him,” she had said. “He needs to be straight-up honest
with you at this point. From where I’m sitting, it sounds like a rumor, and probably one circulated by Little Miss Desperate herself.”
God, I hoped she was right.
When I walked into my house, Brax and Toby were setting the cabinet in the bathroom. I said hello and received a half-hearted “hey” back from Brax.
“You okay?” I asked, taking a step back from him.
Brax nodded, but didn’t make eye contact with me.
I looked at Toby. He kept on working. Had he mentioned my visit to our parents’ house? Had he overheard me talking to Mom about Heather?
I ran my hands down my face. This was already proving to be a long day. “Can I help?”
“We’ve got it.” Brax’s tone was abrupt.
“Can I talk to you for a second?” I asked, motioning for him to follow. I had played my share of head games when I was younger. No way was I doing it now.
We walked into my bedroom and I closed the door behind us. I glanced at Brax. “What’s wrong?”
He looked at me, his jaw clenched tight. “So I’m just someone for you to have fun with?”
I frowned. “What?”
Hands on his hips, he looked massive in my room. His face was a mask of fury. “I’m just someone to get your mind off that prick who dumped you, is that right?”
“Brax…”
“Don’t deny it. I was standing outside your parents’ house, ready to ring the doorbell, when I heard you tell your mom that we were just having fun together, that we weren’t serious, and that you basically wouldn’t get serious because you didn’t want to get your heart broken by someone like me.”
Shit. I swallowed hard. “It’s not what you think. My mom was just worried about me getting hurt.”
He flinched like I had slapped him.
“I didn’t want her worrying, so I told her that we weren’t that serious,” I said, stumbling over the words.
“She actually said she thought I would hurt you?”
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