Page 19 of If You Need Me

Mom

Dallas Mattias Bright, you better call me the second you get this message.

Why am I finding out about your girlfriend over social media?

Why aren’t you answering your messages?

Granny Bright called me this morning. She’s upset too. Especially since you were just there and one of the gossipy ladies had the info first.

Your dad and I would like an explanation.

We’re happy for you, but this is not how I wanted to find out.

You need to call me. All the women in my church group are asking questions, and I’m unable to answer them.

I have a single message from my dad.

Dad

Your mom is already planning your wedding. She’s also annoyed. Next time maybe tell her you’ve got a girlfriend before you go telling the whole world. I’m charging the flowers I bought to appease her to your credit card. You’re welcome.

“Fuck.” I run a hand through my hair.

I hit the call button, and my mom picks up on the first ring.

“Dallas, finally. Why am I finding out that you have a girlfriend through your social media? I’m excited about this, but I’m very hurt to be learning this at the same time as two and a half million other people—which is impressive, by the way. Your following just keeps growing.” She layers in a compliment with her ire, it’s her way.

“Thanks, Mom, and I’m sorry.”

“You better be sorry. This is a big deal. You haven’t brought home a girlfriend, or introduced us to anyone, or posted about anyone in years. Years, Dallas! How long have you been seeing each other? How long have you been hiding this from your family? From your ownmother?” Shetsks me.

My mom chose to set aside her own career so she could be a full-time mom. With three boys and one girl and only six years between the oldest and youngest, we were a busy household. Between getting Ferris and I to our separate practices, traveling for competitive sports away games, and Manning and Paris’s extreme extracurricular schedules, my mom still found time to devote to her own volunteering. Fortunately, my dad is an oncologist and could financially support the family, making it easier for my mom to follow her heart and focus her energy on raising us. She jumped in with both feet and rocked the shit out of being the best mom possible. Even now, we’re a tight-knit family.

Her hurt at finding out about me and Wills along with the rest of the world is likely pretty deep.

“It’s pretty new, Mom.”Like a couple of hours now.

“Do not lie to your mother, Dallas! The way you were smiling in that picture tells me this has been going on for a while!”

“I promise, it couldn’t have been going on because of the no-fraternization policy with the team,” I explain. “So we were trying to stay away from each other.” Even that’s a stretch. But, if I can be the boyfriend Willy never knew she wanted, maybe I have a chance in hell of turning this fake dating into real dating.

“Wilhelmina finally knows about the crush you’ve had on her since you were young, doesn’t she?” She makes a little excited noise.

“Uh, I mean...we’re dating so...” I clear my throat so it doesn’t sound like my balls are caught in a vise.Please don’t have my yearbook open.“That was a long time ago, though. We don’t talk about our childhoods much.”

Mom has no idea what happened around prom, the nail in my proverbial coffin, and I’d like to keep it that way. She would be horrified by my actions.

“Since your dad and I are coming down for the charity game this weekend, we’ll have a chance to get to know her better.”

“Oh, uh, I don’t know. She’ll be pretty busy with the event.”

“After the event we can plan a dinner for her. What kind of food does Wilhelmina like? Do you want me to stop and get you some of those butter tarts in Orillia on the way? The chocolate chip ones?”

“Uh, I, uh... Maybe you should let me check with her first.”

“You’re serious about this girl and you don’t even know what kind of treats she likes? Dallas, I raised you better than that,” Mom chastises.

“No, Mom, I know what she likes. Anything with peaches is her favorite. I’m sure she would love the butter tarts from Orillia.” They’re the best butter tarts in the world.

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