Page 31 of Fumbled Love

Kinley groaned next to me. “What did you do?”

“I smacked her with my pocketbook, that’s what I did and I’d do it again. She started screaming and called for security.” She shook her head in disbelief. “Your generation is so sensitive today.”

It took everything in me to hold in my laugh because the woman sounded like a handful.

Kinley cleared her throat and waved her hand in my direction. “This is my friend, Maverick.” She introduced me a little too quickly, like she was trying to shut this conversation down. “Maverick, this is my grandma, Deanne.”

I don’t know why she made me so nervous, but I wanted her to like me. Something told me that staying on her good side was the smart thing to do.

I extended my hand and gave her my game-winning smile. “Maverick Cross, a pleasure to meet you, Deanne.”

She placed her hands on her hips and looked me over. “So, you’re the one who knocked up my sweet little granddaughter, huh?”

I shifted uncomfortably on my feet as her eyes inspected me from top to bottom. Probably trying to figure out if I was good enough. Judging by how her eyes narrowed, my guess would be that I failed the test.

“Grandma, be nice.” Kinley’s voice was louder than usual.

“You don’t need to shout.” She tugged on her ear. “I got my hearing aids adjusted earlier. I can hear everything now.”

“Great.” Kinley smiled and dragged me into the house. Her grandmother ambled in front of us. The scent of her strong perfume floated in the air. It had a distinct smell; if you asked my opinion, it should have been discontinued decades ago.

“Mom,” Kinley called out as we headed into the living room. The walls were lined with photos, and a cozy fireplace was in the back with bookshelves on either side. “I have someone I want you to meet.”

An older version of Kinley muted an episode ofFamily Feudplaying on the television and stood from the beige couch to greet us. “Oh.” Kinley’s mom was beautiful in a classic way. She had the same blue eyes and high cheekbones. “You must be Maverick. Thanks for bringing her home. I’m Michelle.”

“My pleasure. It’s nice to meet you, ma’am.” I extended my hand, but she brushed it away and pulled me into a hug. “Unlike my mother, I’m a hugger, and please call me Michelle.” Her embrace was warm and friendly, and I briefly wondered if she had been adopted. The two women I just met couldn’t be more opposite.

Deanne made herself comfortable in the recliner and picked up a bowl of ice cream on the table next to her.

“How are you feeling?” Michelle smiled at Kinley and then at me. “Are you guys hungry? I have some leftover pasta I can heat up.”

“We already ate, but I appreciate the offer.” I wasn’t sure why I was so nervous. Maybe because I felt unprepared to meet the family, and it wasn’t something I could remember doing—ever.

Michelle picked up the remote and turned off the television. “Please sit down.” She gestured to the loveseat against the wall.

“All Shook Up” by Elvis Presley started playing from Deanne’s wrist. She pushed a button and reached for a pill container next to her. “That’s my alarm,” she explained, then dumped a pile of pills in her palm and threw them back like a cheap shot of bourbon. My eyes widened when she picked up a can of Pabst Blue Ribbon to chase them down. She swallowed and patted her chest. “It’s rude to stare, quarterback.”

“Quarterback?” I asked, making sure she was talking to me.

She picked up a napkin and wiped the side of her mouth. “Isn’t that what you are?”

“Yeah.” I swallowed, completely unsure how I should take this woman. She was nothing like my meemaw. This woman was a handful and then some.

“Anyone ever tell you, you’ve a handsome face?” She squinted her beady little eyes at me. If I didn’t know any better, I would think she was enjoying watching me sweat.

“Not in those exact words.”

“Well, you do, so maybe you should consider shaving that beard off so everyone can see it?”

Kinley fired her mom with a look, pleading with her silently to shut this conversation down. Even if she tried, I was pretty sure nothing could deter the woman.

“Grandma,” Kinley scolded. “Why don’t you finish your ice cream before it melts.”

Her grandmother ignored her. “I need to ask the quarterback a few questions first.”

I wanted to say hell no, but let’s be honest, I had to earn her grandmother’s approval somehow. It’s been a long time since I had to prove myself to anyone, so hopefully, I wouldn’t be too rusty.

“Ask away.” I gave her a reassuring smile, like I had nothing to hide, which was partly true. I stayed out of the headlines—mostly. I showed up for practice on time, got along with my teammates, and donated a good chunk of my money to charity. No famous sex tapes were floating around on the internet, and the only woman I’ve ever knocked up was her granddaughter. At least, that’s the only one that I knew of.

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