Page 53 of Nevada

“Well, I sort of pried it out of him.”

“Wait a minute, when did you see West?”

She tucks her hair behind her ears and avoids my gaze. “We, uh, we met for coffee.”

I blink in surprise, a slow smile creeping on my face. I know he likes her, but I’m not sure my warning was enough. I don’t want to think about my mom in compromising positions, much less having her heart broken. West might be a standup guy, but I really don’t know him all that well. I make a mental note to talk to Priest about this. A background check might come in handy. I think about hiring Star to do my dirty work for me and that makes me chuckle.

Mom narrows her eyes. “Asher?”

I wave a hand. “Sorry, I wasn’t laughin’ at you. I’m just wonderin’ why you kept it a secret.”

“It’s not a secret.” There’s that blush again. She really likes him. “We ran into one another and then he asked if he could buy my coffee and I said yes. It wasn’t a date or anything.”

“But you’ve been texting him?”

“Y—yes.”

“And he’s asked to see you again?”

She fiddles with the handle of the mug, trying to avoid me again. That sneaky bastard.

“Asher, this isn’t a conversation I feel comfortable having.”

“Ma, if he’s sweet talkin’ you, I need to know.”

“Oh, my God. Kill me now.” She puts her head in her hands and shakes it repeatedly.

“I’m just sayin’, you gotta be safe…”

“Asher!”

“What? You’ve slept with one man your entire life, sex is… it’s a natural thing… But you gotta make him work for it…”

She proceeds to bang her head against the island. Her voice is muffled when she repeats, “How did I let myself get into this conversation?”

“Don’t be embarrassed. Ma, you can talk to me about this stuff. I mean, I don’t wanna hear any details or nothin’, just makin’ sure he’s bein’ respectful and not just thinkin’ he can get it for free.”

She pinches the bridge of her nose. “I’m going to go die now in the basement.”

It sounds rough, but my basement is like a hotel. I doubt Mom will ever want to leave. She never worked much when she was married to my dad because he didn’t like that. But I’ve suggested she get a hobby or look for something casual because she likes to be helpful.

“What did I say?”

“Asher, I appreciate your concern, but nobody is getting anything for free. It was coffee, okay? Nothing is happening.” Her face is beet red.

“But you like him? I mean, he’s got that whole sexy, silver fox thing goin’ on. He’s in pretty good shape.”

“I’m leaving now.” She turns and swipes her coffee mug off the island before walking away.

“Oh, Ma, I might be gone for a few days, got some work that’s takin’ me to Ridgehaven, Mississippi. I’ll text you when I’ll be back, okay?”

She waves behind her back and I scratch my head. What did I say?

I mean, I’m just making sure she knows that men can say and do anything to get what they want. I should know. I just want my mom to be safe, is that a crime? I don’t know why she’s getting all kinds of crazy; it’s my job to look out for her.

I glance down at my phone on the counter just as a message pops up. My heart rate accelerates. It’s Star.

Mama:

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