Page 133 of Scrimmage

“Bullshit." My mom doesn’t curse much, but when she does it’s kind of funny. “Your father and I met in college.”

“You did?” I guess I’ve never asked.

“Yeah. I was a tutor.”

“You tutored him?”

She smiles at the memory. “He was smart, but stupid."

“Sounds like something Ashland would say.”

“Is that her name? Ashland?” My mother gives me a soft comforting look and rubs my back.

I lean my head back onto the couch. “Yeah, that’s her name.”

“Beautiful name. I’ve met a few Ashland’s before. They’re always very full of life.”

I lean on her. I might be huge, but my mom never acts like it. “You could say that.”

She pets my head like I’m still eight. “Is this the girl you went home for over Thanksgiving?”

I don’t bother asking how she knows. She knows everything. “Yeah. She needed me.”

“Did she end it or you?”

“I guess she did.” It’s kind of embarrassing. “It wasn’t supposed to be a thing to end. Then when everything happened she said I was trying to save her.”

“Mm, big mistake. Women don’t want to be saved, just loved.”

I laugh. “Ashland fucking hates love.”

“Do you really believe that?”

“I don’t know,” I answer slowly. “Wasn’t really my place. That wasn’t what we were doing.”

“That’s not what I was doing with your father either. Here we are, though,” She looks down at me with bright green eyes with flecks of gold. “We have a beautiful home, two beautiful boys, and successful careers where we get to help people.”

“It’s not the same thing, mom. Ash and I are nothing alike. She’s not ESPN material.”

“I’m not senator’s wife material. I’m a psychic, and your father is a politician. We’re pretty different.”

“I know, but she...she says shit without thinking and is fucking impulsive. She doesn’t listen.”

My mom laughs. “I’m not seeing a problem. I’m seeing someone who challenges you.”

“She doesn’t want me either. After she bailed me out of jail…” Fuck.

My mom doesn’t balk or scream. She sighs. “I know. Alexi called me. That must have been her that was arguing in the background.”

“He did?” I sit up. Do I punch him?

“Don’t be angry. He was just scared, honey.”

“What were they arguing about?”

“I don’t know what she said, but someone who doesn’t care wouldn’t go bail some guy they broke up with out of jail after punching her friend in the face.”

“I know I fucked up. I just can’t take it back.”

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