Page 76 of More Than a Good Friend

My dad nods when I walk through the door, then goes back to watching his program.

“Your brother is coming. He went with his girlfriend to her parents’ place, but he said he’d come by later.” She begins unpacking the barbecue.

“Mom.”

She stops halfway across the kitchen. “Yes?”

I pull out a chair. “Have a seat. I’ll get plates, napkins. Everything.”

“Is everything okay?” She grips my hand. “You aren’t normally like this.”

“Everything’s fine.” That’s not a hundred percent true, but I’m not going to explain to my mom that Goldie’s dating someone and that it bothers me. These last few months, I’ve learned more about me. And I’m changing the parts I don’t like.

That’s why I’m pampering my mom a little today. Or trying to.

I lean out into the living room once the table is set. “Dad, the food’s ready. We’re going to eat.”

“I’m watching this. I’ll be there soon.” He doesn’t even look away from the screen.

Avoiding getting crossways with my dad has always been a priority, but seeing how he takes advantage of my mom and expects the world to revolve around him makes me mad.

But I’m determined to both keep my temper in check and make today special for Mom. “Okay. We’re going to go ahead and start eating. There’s lots of food, so no worries about that.”

As I walk into the kitchen, I hear the creak of his chair. I guess the show wasn’t that important.

When Dad sits down, Mom immediately serves him a plate. And I don’t stop her. I don’t know what goes on behind closed doors with them or how they talk to each other when I’m not around. What I do see makes me sad.

While I can’t do much to change how they relate, I can make a point to treat my mom and future wife better than what I saw growing up.

The idea of having a wife appeals to me. Not because I want someone who cooks and cleans, but I want someone...

I want Goldie.

After we eat, I gather up the dishes, and my dad quirks an eyebrow. “What are you doing?”

“Just cleaning up.” I don’t make eye contact because I’m irritated, and it probably shows.

When he walks away, I turn around just in time to see him kiss Mom on the head.

“The rice was good. Thanks.” He wanders back into the living room, leaving me more confused than when I got here.

* * *

I’m loadingstuff into my truck to take over to the venue. There’s a Fourth of July parade in town, and that night, there’s a dance out here. Since Goldie and Luke have gone out three more times, I’m guessing he’ll be her date. But she hasn’t said much about him, and she hasn’t mentioned double dating.

After shoving the tailgate closed, I slide in behind the wheel.

Goldie and I haven’t talked about the earring because I change the topic any time she brings it up. There is no way to talk about it without saying too much. She wears those earrings often, which makes me happy. And they look great on her.

I turn onto the main road and drive around to the venue entrance. It’s easier to get there on the main roads unless you’re on horseback. Tandy waves as I pull through the gate, then runs toward my truck.

Slamming on the brakes, I barely avoid hitting her. “What are you doing?”

“Flagging you down. I wasn’t worried. You’re a good driver.” She runs around to the passenger side, pulls open the door, and grabs the handle to hoist herself in. “I wanted to talk to you. In private.”

I haven’t seen Tandy since that day at lunch. Correction. I haven’t talked to Tandy since that day. I’ve seen her around town and waved, but that’s not really pertinent. “Okay?”

“You need to use your words.”

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