Page 16 of Crossing the Red Line
I could feelmy stomach roll at the thought of telling them who I’d brought.I’d never mentioned a word about Ella before and wasn’t sure this was the best way to tell them I’d taken my ex-girlfriend, the owner’s daughter, with me.
Lucas: I’ll tell you later.
Dylan: Later?WTF?
Knox: Yeah, Lorelai wants to know.She says I am cut off until I tell her, so you better fucking spill it.This man has needs.
Lucas: Got to go.Bye, guys.
Dylan: Chicken shit
Knox: I’m gonna beat your ass against the boards next time I see you if I don’t get any, Clark.
Lucas: Tell Lorelai it’s not worth torturing you over.
Knox: That’s because you don’t want an ass whooping.Now, I’m gonna go pin my girl to the mattress if I’m not getting any more answers.
Dylan: Same here…advice hotline is over…
Knox: Sure is.
I shovedmy phone in my pocket and shook my head and made my way back into the restaurant, where I saw Ella laughing at something my sisters had said.I made my way over to the table and sat back down, Ella immediately turning to me with a smile on her face.She placed her hand on my upper thigh and leaned into me.
“Everything okay?”she questioned.
“All good.”
“We’ll be right back then,” she whispered, placing a soft kiss on my cheek.“We didn’t want to leave your mom alone at the table.”
I watched as Ella and my sisters made their way across the restaurant and disappeared into the ladies’ room.When I turned and faced my mother, she had a serious look on her face.
“What?”I questioned.
“How is everything going between the two of you?”she asked, resting her chin on her hand.
“Well,” I said again, my stomach flipping, knowing this was all for show.
“Are you happy?”
I nodded, taking the last mouthful of my food.“I am.”
“I really like her, Lucas.I always did.She’s good for you.”
“I agree,” I added, wishing she’d move off this topic.I hated lying to my mother.I picked up my water and took a drink.
“Can we expect to hear wedding bells soon?”she questioned.
I began choking at the question she’d just asked.My mother had been on me since I’d turned thirty-two, wondering when she could expect to have a daughter-in-law.My sisters both had been married since they were in their mid-twenties, one had two kids and the other three.I knew my mother had expected a grandson or granddaughter from me, but I’d put my focus into my career instead.
“Not sure, Mom,” I added.“We really haven’t talked about it.”
It was then Ella and my sisters returned to the table.I’d never been so thankful to see them all, hoping this was the end of the inquisition.
“What haven’t we talked about?”Ella asked, sitting down beside me, placing her hand on my upper thigh once again.
“The future,” I bit out, hoping she’d hear the agony in my voice and not proceed with any more questions.
“Mom, are you on Lucas about wedding bells again?”Janice questioned, shaking her head.
