Page 31 of Rocky

However, the familiarity I felt was odd because I was certain I’d never met these people in my life. I couldn’t put my finger on what it was until Mr. Colten gave me his credit card to pay for their arrangements.

“Colten Rush?”

“That’s me. Is there a problem?”

“No…I...oh…umm…Is Rocky Rush one of your grandsons?”

“Yes! Do you know him?” he asked.

“Not very well, but my son attends the youth center and is good friends with RJ.”

“Oh, is your son’s name Briar?” Mrs. Rush asked, and I nodded. “RJ talks about him all the time. We need to set up some playdates with those two.”

“I’m sure Briar would love that.”

“I bet Rocky would love to set up a few playdates with you,” Mr. Rush teased.

“Huh?”

“He’s just teasing you, sweetheart. Don’t pay him any mind. Did Rocky have your son on his bike a few weeks ago and you gave him the business?”

“Yes, ma’am. I was in mama bear mode, so his first impression of me wasn’t the greatest.”

“I don’t know about that, sweetheart. Your reaction bothered him enough to come home and talk to us about it.”

I smiled. “He mentioned that you told him to apologize to me.”

“I did, and he said you gave him a hard time.”

“Maybe a little, but?—”

“She’s not telling the truth, ma’am. Rue gave that man a run for his money, and all he wanted to do was take her to dinner.He’s definitely more persistent than most men these days,” Rosemary added.

“He knows a good woman when he sees her,” Mr. Rush commented.

“Does Russell know a good woman when he sees one?” she asked.

Her question started another twenty-minute conversation. When they were finally ready to go, we walked them to their car and promised to deliver their arrangements on the Saturday before Mother’s Day.

“I think they’ll make great in-laws,” Rosemary joked as we headed back inside.

“Have you and Russell been?—”

“I’m not talking about me and Russell.”

“You must be because you can’t be talking about me and Rocky. We’re cool now, but I’m not looking for anything beyond friendship.”

“If you say so, even though it looked like more than friendship when your tongues were shoved down each other’s throats.”

“Shut up, Rose. You’re always bringing up old shit.”

My sisters and I had finished dinner about an hour ago, and Briar had showered and was playing his video game before bed. I returned to the kitchen where they were still hanging out, and my phone rang.

“Hello?”

“Where the fuck are you?”

His voice was low and strained, but he still managed to be an asshole.

---