Page 100 of Rowdy Hearts

Krista came to my rescue, her arm around my neck. “It’s okay, Mrs. S. He’s my new best friend, Rowdy. I told you we stayed with his mom this weekend.”

Mrs. Santiago looked like she wasn’t buying it, but she didn’t look ready to call the police just yet. So I gave her my most charming smile and watched her consider it for a second, before maybe giving me the benefit of the doubt. But probably only because Krista looked absolutely thrilled to see me. At least someone was happy. I really hoped her mom would be too.

“Hello, ma’am. I’m Rowdy Lawrence. I met Krista and Tressy last Thursday, and yes, they stayed with my parents over the weekend.” I considered my next words carefully. “And to behonest, as soon as they left, I missed them. And I knew I needed to see them again.”

I put every ounce of sincerity into my voice that I possessed. Maybe the fact that every word was true helped because I could see Mrs. Santiago softening. “I really appreciate the fact that you’re looking out for Tressy and Krista, and I will be happy to wait at a coffeeshop until Tressy comes home. Or I could take you and Krista for ice cream? I saw a shop just down the block.”

Krista immediately began to do a happy wiggle for ice cream, and Mrs. Santiago finally succumbed.

“I suppose we can do that. Just let me text Tressy and let her know what’s going on.”

“Yes, ma’am. We’ll wait right here.”

As Mrs. Santiago got out her phone and texted Tressy, Krista told me about her day, how she missed everyone back in St. David, especially Miss Raffi and Rainbow and her new best friend, Mandy. Her rambling conversation soothed something in my chest that I hadn’t known was causing the ache until now.

I’d happily let this little girl wrap me around every one of her fingers if her mom gave me another chance.

“Well, you’ve been vetted.” Mrs. Santiago stowed her phone in her purse and finally smiled. “And apparently, she’s looking forward to seeing you. You must have made a good impression on her. It usually takes Tressy a few weeks to trust anyone into her little circle.”

I offered my arm to Mrs. Santiago—my mom did not raise a heathen, contrary to popular belief—who took it with a knowing grin.

“Let me tell you how I met Tressy and Krista.”

Tressy

Rowdy was here.In the city. Apparently, taking my daughter and neighbor for ice cream.

Good thing we’d left Feeney’s office, which had turned out to be his apartment in a rundown building in Hell’s Kitchen. Feeney was still an asshole, but he’d gotten even sleazier the past few years, if that was possible. He was a few years older than me, which made him early thirties, but he came off with the cynical bite of a seasoned pro.

Until my mom started in on him. I had to admit, she’d had the right approach. I would’ve come at him differently. I would’ve attempted to reason with him. Mom went straight for the jugular. Told him flat out she had the contacts to ruin him if he so much as intimated on his site that I had a child, much less mentioned her name. But, if he played nice, she’d be more than happy to help a struggling entrepreneur grow his business. The gossip sites thrived on clickbait headlines, a lot of which were given to them by media relations for the so-called stars. It was a tight ecosystem that thrived on mutual support. And my mom played the game so well.

She impressed the hell out of me. It’d been a while since I’d seen her work, but I don’t think I’d ever seen her work like this. She took names and got shit done. I know I’d never given her enough credit for being the badass she was when it came to doing the dirty work behind the scenes.

“Tressy, everything okay? You look a little flushed. I don’t want you to worry about anything with that guy. If he even dares to look in your direction again, I’ll handle it.”

“I’m fine.” I motioned to my phone. “Mrs. Santiago just texted. Rowdy’s here.”

My mom’s brows rose. “Huh. Guess you gotta give the guy props for being persistent. He’s not a stalker, is he?”

A week ago, that question would’ve pissed me off. Now Ilaughed because I understood my mom a little better. She always thought the worst of people. And sometimes, she was right. Most people in the business were only out for themselves. Friendships were rare, like the friendship Denee and I had had.

Laughing and shaking my head, I said, “No, Mom. He’s not a stalker. He’s actually a really nice guy. Like, one of the nicest people I’ve ever known in my life.”

“Sounds like he’s in the friend zone.”

“He’s also one of the sexiest men I’ve ever slept with.”

Her mouth pinched like she’d just sucked a lemon. “I’m still your mother, and I don’t need to know all the details of your sex life, but I’m glad you found someone. So what are you gonna do about him?”

He was here. He’d come for them.“I think I want to keep him.”

“Well, he did come to the big city to track you down and all.”

My eyes rolled. “He’s not a mountain man, Mom. It’s not like he’s never been to a city.”

“I think I’d like to meet this guy.”

“I think I’d like you to.”

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