Page 117 of Succeeding Love

“Kevin?....” Mom’s voice was small, laced heavy with confusion.

I took a deep breath before opening my eyes, avoiding looking at my ex so I didn’t lose it again on my mother. “Mom, did you invite Mindy here?”

Mom sputtered, looking back and forth between me and Mindy. “Well… I… Well, Kevin. You… You said… I think you said….”

“She invited me over for coffee,” Mindy spoke up, resting her hand on my mom’s knees. She patted it gently like she was trying to settle her down. “We were just catching up, but I think I need to go now.”

Mom looked more confused, and the range of emotions behind her confused expression made this situation hurt even more. Mom didn’t know what she was doing. I bet she was trying to help. She didn’t know….

But now I don’t know what happened between my ex-wife and my girlfriend, and I’m so scared to find out…

I stood stiffly by the open door as Mindy said bye to my mom. My eyes narrowed when they hugged. Mom had that anxious look on her face that she got when she was really confused but trying to hide it.

Mindy looked me up and down, a sly look in her eyes. She looked amused by something. I didn’t give a shit what game she was playing. She was done.

I waved my hand towards the open door, making her smile more as she softly shook her head. Her airy laugh as she walked past me grated on my nerves. As did the smell of her overly sweet perfume. Same shit she used to use. I hated it before. I hate it more now.

“I’ll be right back, mom,” I said in a much more gentle tone than I was using before.

She looked worried, her eyes darting to the cups of coffee on the table, then at me.

“It’s alright,” I smiled, trying to reassure her. “It’s okay, mom. I’ll help you get this cleaned up in a second. I’ll be right back.”

My smile fell away once the door was closed, and I was left on the front porch withher. The last person I ever wanted to see again.

The tension was thick. My anger didn’t seem to bother her. She seemed to find it amusing.

“What are you doing here, Mindy?” My voice was low, but laced with all the malice I was currently feeling.

She rolled her eyes. “Jeez. All these years and you’re still carrying a chip on those giant shoulders of yours?”

“Answer the fucking question,” I snapped.

She sighed, looking at her nails. “Your mother invited me.”

“So?” My lips curled in disgust. “That still doesn’t explain why the hell you came.”

She pressed her fingers to her lips, smiling against them. “She was persistent. Very persistent. I was curious, so I came.” She shrugged. “I didn’t even know you were here. I figured you’d still be playing soldier at some base around the world.”

“Playing soldier?” I scoffed. “You’re still a fucking bitch.”

She shrugged. “Maybe.” She looked me up and down. “You’re still the same it seems too. Do they feed you carbs in the Army, or do you survive on protein shakes alone?”

I was about to tell her to fuck off, but then Preston walked back out to the garage to get more groceries out of my trunk. He stared over at us, his brows pulled down, shadowing his eyes.

“Huh,” Mindy followed my line of sight. “You have the same car too, it seems. Why is it parked over there and not?....” Suddenly Mindy’s eyes went wide, and she turned to look back at me. “Wait. That neighbor woman?!”

That confirmed it. They met.

Mindy shook her head, biting back her cunning smile. “No wonder you’re so pissy. She didn’t look happy to meet me either. It all makes sense.” Her eyes met mine. “You and your neighbor. That’s cute.”

I sneered, “What did you say to her?”

“Nothing,” she grinned. “I think I said ‘hi’ and maybe ‘nice to meet you’.”

“I’m not playing here, Mindy.”

“I’m not either. I really said little. Your mom was the one talking the entire time.”

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