Page 150 of Love in Riverbend
“I WILL PLAN ON WATCHING.”
* * *
Fuck.
I wipe my palm over my face as I enter the kitchen, my thoughts torn between wanting to make things official and ready to hide us forever from judgy people—like the entire population of Riverbend.
“Justin,” Mom says as I turn to go up the back stairs.
“Hey, Mom.” I furrow my brow. “Do you remember seeing my softball shirt?”
“Not for a couple weeks.”
“Tonight is the first game of the new season. I’m worried it’s in the bottom of my bag.”
“Oh Lord. If it is, it may be beyond repair.”
I scoff. “Thanks for the support.”
“What time is the game? I could wash it. You better check.”
Standing on the bottom step, I meet my mom’s gaze. “Where’s Dad?”
“Today is Thursday. After working, he went to Washington to bowl.”
Yeah. I forgot.
To say I’ve been distracted would be an understatement.
“Honey,” Mom asks, “is everything all right? I mean about more than your shirt.”
Letting out a breath, I step back down to the kitchen floor. “What if I told you something about me?”
Mom pulls out a chair at the table and sits. “Justin Mathew, there is nothing you can tell me that will make me love you less.”
“It’s not that big,” I say as I take the seat at the end of the table. “In a way, it might be…”
She lays her hand on the table toward me. “What is it?”
I shrug. “I’m dating someone.”
Mom’s eyes open wide. “You are? Do I know this person?”
“Kind of. She just moved back to Riverbend.”
Mom’s smile broadens. “Do you like her?”
“I do.”
“Does she like you?”
“I think she does. I asked her last night to be exclusive.”
“And she isn’t ready for that?” Mom asks with her forehead furrowed.
“No, she said yes. I guess I’m worried. I don’t want the fact she’s dating me to fuck up her job or anything.” Opening my eyes wide, I add, “Sorry.”
“I’ve heard the word fuck before. What would make you think that dating you would be an issue with her job. What does she do?”
