Page 85 of Always Be True: Tino
They have scheduled games? Since when? “You do?”
“Yeah, he beat me last time and promised me a rematch.”
She’d have to have a talk with Cyrus about him hanging out with Tino later. Right now, she had enough on her plate. “If I go along with this plan, I’m going to insist on paying your going rate for the work.”
Jack spoke up again. “Look, I’ll let you two hammer out the details while I start breakfast, assuming you’ve got food in the fridge, little brother. If not, I’m going over to Mom’s and see if she’ll feed me.”
Tino winced. “Let’s not bother her this early. I can make a quick run to pick up some breakfast sandwiches.”
A knock at the door had both brothers going on point. “Too late, Tino. I’m guessing Mom spotted my truck in the driveway and wants to know what the hell is going on.”
Once again, Natalie was painfully aware that she was wearing Tino’s clothes with nothing under them. It was tempting to bolt upstairs to hide in Tino’s room, but what was the point? As soon as the guys filled Marlene in on what had happened, she was going to find out Natalie had spent the night in her son’s apartment. Nothing had happened, and they were both adults, anyway. It wasn’t as if she and Tino were even dating right now.
She remained frozen in place as Jack pushed past her to open the door. While he talked to their mother, Tino shifted to put his arm around her shoulders. “She doesn’t bite, Blondie. Besides, Mom would’ve been the first one to insist you stay with us the minute she found out your place wasn’t safe.”
“Seriously? She would have invited me to sleep in her son’s bed?”
He leaned down to whisper near her ear, “Maybe. She’s pretty determined to get all three of us married off. Something about wanting a bunch of grandkids. Before you hold that against her, remember she’s not the only one talking that way. When your grandfather and I played chess the other day, he mentioned wanting the same thing from us, well, from you anyway. But considering it was me he was talking to, I have to think he pictured me being actively involved in the process.”
Her face burned hot. “Really? I can’t believe he said that again. I’m sorry if it embarrassed you.”
Oddly enough, Tino didn’t look at all upset about the prospect. To make matters worse, he gave her a quick kiss as his mother and brother watched. He winked at her before saying, “Hi, Mom. You remember Natalie.”
“Yes, of course. I’m really sorry about what happened last night, and I’m glad you didn’t try to go home. Sometimes I wonder what this world is coming to, but I’m sure you slept well knowing my sons were standing guard. If there’s anything I can do to help, please let me know.”
Tino cleared his throat. “There is one thing, Mom. Any chance we can raid your kitchen this morning? I’m out of both milk and eggs.”
Marlene was clearly a little exasperated. “Now, there’s a surprise. How many times have I told you that groceries don’t magically appear in the kitchen? You actually have to go to the store once in a while. I swear, Tino, if it was just you, I’d make you settle for cold cereal. But after what Natalie has been through, she deserves better.”
Natalie hid a smile when Tino shuffled his feet. “Come on, Mom, don’t embarrass me in front of the lady.”
Jack cracked up. “No, go ahead, Mom. I want to watch.”
Their mother gave her other son a disgusted look. “You weren’t any better when you lived here, Jack. I didn’t raise either of you to be helpless, but I’ll go get things started. Come on over whenever you’re ready.”
Natalie held in her own laughter until Marlene was out the door. “I really like her, Tino. She’s tough.”
“Yeah, she is. She had to be to put up with a lot from the three of us. Dad, too, for that matter.”
“Amen to that.” Jack set his coffee cup down on the counter. “I’ll head over to Mom’s to grab a quick shower and then help her put a meal together. See you in a few.”
That left her alone with just Tino, who still had his arm wrapped around her shoulders.
Feeling awkward, she said, “I’ll grab my clothes and get dressed.”
But when she tried to step away, he stopped her. “Are you okay?”
“Getting there.”
“Good.”
He seemed to want to say more, but maybe that was only wishful thinking on her part. She had so many questions about him, his family, and what was going on in that head of his, ones she was afraid he’d never answer.
“Um, I can’t get dressed unless you actually let go of me.”
“And if I don’t want to let go?”
Something about the way he was looking at her made her think he meant something more than just moving his arm. Again, was that only wishful thinking? As her grandfather was fond of saying, no guts, no glory.
