I chuckled. "I can't argue with you on that."
"So, do we want to know details?" Maddox asked cautiously. “I figured you were going to need some tips from the more serious men of the family."
"I don't need any tips," I said. Grabbing my racket, I suggested, "How about we go back to that second set?"
"Fine. One thing, though, before you go," Nick said. "I spoke to Mom, and she's thinking about coming to visit."
"That's great news," I said.
Mom rarely came to Boston. In fact, she rarely landed on US soil. She'd been traveling full-time for the past few years, and we were all very happy for her.
While we were growing up, she'd worked two or three jobs at a time, especially when our father was around. He’d insisted that he didn't have access to money, that it was all tied up in the company, and that Granddad was only paying him a modest salary. Just one more lie he’d told Mom. After the truth came out, our grandparents helped Mom out financially, and I’d always be grateful to them for that.
Once we were out of the house, she suddenly had much more freedom. Not just financially but also timewise. Raising the three of us wasn't for the faint of heart. In the beginning, she'd only traveled now and then, when she could afford it between jobs. But once the three of us started making serious money, we'd made a pact to take care of her. She’d been hesitant at first, but we managed to win her over eventually. Now she traveled all the time.
"How long does she plan to stay?" I asked Nick.
"You know how Mom is. She never says."
"I can find her a rental.”
"Call her. Maybe she'll give you the details."
"I'll do that," I said. "Thanks for letting me know."
I looked at the rest of my brothers. "Let's go play. I’m ready to win this."
"You wish," Maddox replied.
***
Even though half my mind was on setting up the date for tonight, I still managed a quick win. I was fucking proud of myself.
After the game, I headed straight home and called Mom on the way. The change in time zone was making communication difficult, but I knew she had a weird sleep schedule and would likely be awake regardless of the time.
"Hi, darling," she said after one ring. “How are you?”
"Great. I was at Nick's club. We played tennis. He told me that you plan to come to Boston."
"Oh, that boy! I only told him that I'm thinking about it."
"Just tell me when, and I'll take care of the ticket and accommodation and everything else."
She huffed. "That's why I don't like to tell you boys what I'm up to. You always offer to pay for everything."
"Obviously. We have more money than we’ll need in a lifetime, Mom. Just let us spoil you."
"You do that in spades. But my online yoga business isn't doing too shabby, so your dear old mom can buy her own ticket and come see her boys."
That didn't sit well with me. I didn't want her to waste whatever she was making on plane tickets. On the other hand, I had a suspicion that she needed to do this by herself, which I also respected. She was very independent, as were we.
"As you wish, Mom."
"By the way, what's this I hear that Tory is living with you now? Why didn't you say anything?"
I nearly crashed into the car in front of me. "Nick told you?" My brother was not a gossip! Or was he?
"Of course not. It was your grandmother."