Page 47 of The Moment We Know

David knew when asking his mom to watch Jacob overnight that he was likely going to be subjected to some questions when dropping him off, since it was something David rarely did. Still, he was hoping the questions would be kept to a minimum, mainly because the more she asked, the higher the probability would become that he’d have to lie to her … and his mom could sniff out a lie like a seasoned detective. “I wouldn’t say they’re ‘big’,” he deflected with a shrug. “But I do have plans.”

“Are they with Evan?”

“No.”

“Oh? Then who are they with?”

“I’d rather not say.” His tone was firm, yet pleasant, as he delivered the not-so-thinly-veiled hint to respect his privacy.

“You’d rather not say?” Valerie frowned. “They’re not with Ashley, are they?”

“What? No.”

“Oh, good.” Her relief was palpable. “Then who are they with?”

So, either his hint hadn’t been as not-so-thinly-veiled as he’d thought, or she was simply choosing to not respect his privacy. Maybe doubling down would do the trick. “I’d rather not say,” he repeated, this time more firmly, and a little less pleasantly.

“You know that’s not an acceptable answer for your mother, right?”

He normally didn’t do this, because it seemed oddly juvenile, but it was time to throw down the ‘grown man’ card. And he decided to add ‘none of your business’ for a little extra punch. “I’m a grown man, so yes, it is. Plus, it’s nicer than me telling you it’s none of your business.”

“Why are you being so secretive?” Valerie’s frown deepened, veering into something close to disapproval, which meant that everything he was doing was only making her more suspicious. It also meant she wasn’t going to stop digging; if anything she was going to start digging with a backhoe, instead of a shovel. “You’re not hooking up with some random woman, are you?”

That question was so unexpected that he was speechless for a moment. “I’m not even going to ask how—or why—you know about random hookups,” he said, before holding up both hands and adding quickly, “And for God’s sake, please don’t tell me.”

She crossed her arms and gave him her best I’m your mother look, which was always a little unsettling to him because of their physical similarities. Despite being in her late 50s, she could’ve easily passed for his slightly older sister, with the same wavy, medium ash-brown hair and deep hazel eyes, that unfortunately seemed to miss nothing. “You didn’t answer my question, David.”

When she called him by his name, in that tone, it was always a bad sign and never failed to make him feel like he was twelve. “No, Mom, I’m not hooking up with some random woman.”

“Oh, good.” Again, her relief was palpable. “Because I wouldn’t watch Jacob so you could … do that.”

“And I wouldn’t ask you to. Now, please feel free to stop with the stink eye. It’s unnecessary.”

Valerie tilted her head and examined him from head to toe, taking in his casual, yet nice attire of cargo pants and a navy polo shirt, and the obvious signs that he’d very recently showered and trimmed his beard. “So, who are your plans with?”

David had long suspected his mother was a pit bull in a previous life. “Jesus, Mom. Did you hear the part where I said I was a grown man and it’s none of your business? If not, I’ll say it again: I’m a grown man and it’s none of your business.”

“They’re obviously with a woman, but not a random woman,” she murmured, ignoring everything he’d just said. “So does that mean she’s someone you’re dating?”

He didn’t answer, mostly because he knew she wouldn’t believe him if he said, “No,” and a “Yes,” would lead to another thousand questions and she’d already asked too many as it was. She just apparently didn’t know it.

“That’s a simple enough question,” she said. “It’s not like I’m asking you to explain nuclear fusion.”

He took a deep breath and released it before answering. “I guess technically, yes, she’s someone I’m dating, but only by the loosest of definitions, okay?”

“The ‘loosest of definitions’? What does that mean? You’re either dating, or you’re not.”

“Look, we mostly just hang out together—”

“In other words, you’re dating.”

His mother was worse than Evan, and Evan was pretty bad. “All right. I’m dating her, but it’s casual. Very, very, extremely casual. So casual, in fact, that I don’t know if it will go anywhere and that’s all I can tell you.”

There, that should do it. Give her just enough information to satisfy her, then firmly cut her off—

“What’s her name?” Valerie wanted to know.

That was the last thing he could tell her, so he remained mute, seriously wondering what she would do if he just turned and ran out of the house. God knows, he really wanted to.

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