Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 81843 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 409(@200wpm)___ 327(@250wpm)___ 273(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81843 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 409(@200wpm)___ 327(@250wpm)___ 273(@300wpm)
“I’m sure you can handle it.”
“I’m sure I can, too,” I say, grinning. “What’s going on?”
“Well, I was in Savannah a couple of weeks ago and had dinner with Rodney and Siggy Mason. A few of their friends joined us at this fabulous restaurant. You should take Chloe there the next time you’re down that way. Anyway,” she says, earning an eye roll from me, “I met a man.”
Whoa.
I recoil from those three little words. “You met a man?”
“I know it’s sudden and—”
“Mother.”
She hesitates. “Yes?”
“I think that’s great.” I laugh softly. “I mean, get Ford to run a background report on him, and send me his name so I can look him up.”
“You are not parenting me, Jason Brewer.”
I grin. “No, you’re right. I’m not. I’m using my specific skill set and the avenues available to me to ensure you won’t be taken advantage of.”
“Hold up, child. I might need to be taken advantage of. It’s been a while.”
My jaw drops. It lowers even farther as my mother, one of the most prim and proper women I’ve ever known, finds humor in this situation.
“Who have you been hanging around with?” I ask, chuckling.
“Foxx’s parents, actually.” Her laugh is loud and free. For the first time in my adult life, she sounds happy. “Damaris and Kixx Carmichael are hilarious—and dirty. You should hear them. It’s no wonder their children are all little firecrackers. They come by it honestly.”
I know Foxx’s family, and she’s right. The Carmichaels are as lively as they are good people. I just didn’t expect my mother to fall into their shenanigans.
Oh, how things change. Or, maybe this is who she really is. After all, none of her children could be called shy and withdrawn. Maybe she’s only just finding her true self.
I can only respect this resilient woman.
“So who is this man?” I ask.
“His name is Joseph Dallo. His daughter is married to—well, a guy who works for Ford Landry, actually.”
“Troy Castelli?”
“Yes. That’s him. The dark complected one that—you know what? Let’s move on.”
I look at the ceiling. “Yes. Let’s.”
“Anyway, Joseph was in town to see his daughter and we hit it off. I’ve seen him a couple of times since. I haven’t found the courage to tell you, but I figured you should be on a honeymoon high this morning. So I took my chances.”
I grin at her light and airy tone. She’s come a long way in the past few months. And, even if what happened to her was one of the worst things I could imagine, I’m starting to think it’s for the best. Because even if this helps her separate from my father, something I don’t think she would’ve done had he not gone off the rails, it’s also given her life back.
This Rory Brewer would not be here had she not experienced everything she has lately.
In a way, I’m grateful for it all—and that’s an uncomfortable feeling to wrestle with.
“I expect to meet him sooner rather than later,” I say.
“I hoped you’d say that.”
“Have you told the others?”
She laughs. “No. Bianca suspects something so she won’t be surprised. Gannon and Ripley will be fine with it. But Lord knows I don’t want to deal with Tate.”
My laughter joins hers. “He’s going to give you so much shit.”
“I might be loosening up, but I’m not at the point in my life where I can take Tate’s debauchery.”
I snicker, shaking my head. “He’s your child.”
“That he is. And I’m proud of that boy, just like I’m proud of you.” She pauses. “And maybe you’ll know that feeling soon.”
My gaze flickers to the bedroom, catching a glimpse of Chloe packing the last of her things. The idea of her being pregnant with my child—her stomach swollen with our baby—makes my cock hard. But it also makes my heart skip a beat.
“Maybe, Mom,” I say. “We’ll see.”
She sighs happily. “Okay. I just needed to get this off my chest. Let me know when it’s okay to come up and visit with you and your beautiful bride.”
“Thank you for giving us a bit of space. I appreciate that.”
“Of course, Jason. I love you so much.”
“I love you so much, too.”
“Call me.”
“I will.”
“Goodbye, son.”
“Bye, Mom.”
I end the call and slide my phone into my pocket, my gaze settled on my wife. She looks at me with a tilt of her head—my beautiful wife.
I love you, too, Chloe. Maybe I always have.
And maybe I’ll get to tell you that soon, too.
Chapter 23
Chloe
“Look at her,” I say, beaming as Jason navigates his car into the driveway. “She’s sitting outside with her coffee and crossword puzzle book.”
Jason stops the car by the side of the house and shuts the engine.
He’s been quiet since we got into the car at the airport. Typically, he keeps me engaged in a conversation or a story. Over the last hour, he’s focused on the road with his right hand resting on my thigh.