Don’t get confused. I did that homework because, when Penny reached out to me, I had to be sure when Raegan came home, I’d be prepared for her –and whoever she brought with her.
Dumbass that I was, I had expected her to be back up north today. Normally I was far more logical, so I should’ve known she wouldn’t have left right after Wynnie’s services.
When had I lost my common sense? Whenever Raegan was around, that was when.
Years ago, my common sense fled around her because I was thinking with my dick. Now I had no idea why it took a hike around her.
It had been nice spending an evening with her at Cassie’s, but it fucked with my head. In my line of work, having my head fucked up wasn’t hazardous –it could be fatal.
A Hyundai Elantra pulled up in front of my house, the thudding bass audible even with the torrential rain.
“Goddammit,” I hissed.
I put my drink on the banister, reached inside the front door, and grabbed a golf umbrella. The wind had died down, so that was a relief. I trudged to the driver’s side door and opened the door.
“You’re gonna go deaf, as loud as you listen to your classic rock.”
She was leaned over the console, but she waved a hand at me in dismissal. “Save it, Clint. My hearing is perfectly fine. In fact, my hearing is why I’m here.”
I stood close to the car so she could get out without getting wet. “Come on, Mamá. Never know when the wind’s gonna pick up again.”
She glowered up at me but put her tiny umbrella aside. She straightened from the car, her handbag on the crook of her elbow. I threw her door closed, and she beeped the locks.
On the porch, I set the umbrella off to the side to drip dry. I turned to see Mamá scowling at my drink.
“So, it’s true. She’s back?”
There was no sense lying to Mamá. All of her children were transparent to her.
“She is, but—”
“But nothing. I hear Penny Connelly hopes you two will hit it off again.”
“There’s nothing to hit off again, Mamá. You shouldn’t have driven over here in this weather. Do you want to go in—”
She pointed a finger at me. “No. You know I just got off work, so I had to drive in the rain regardless. Plus, I was not going to have this conversation with you on the phone. You’re a grown man, Clint, but that doesn’t mean I’m not still protective. Do not let that woman do you wrong again.”
“Laura or Erica listen when you’re like this?”
She narrowed her eyes. “Don’t get logical on me, dear. Miracles happen, and one day the miracle will be one of my children listening to me. You can be my favorite son if you listen about this.”
I chuckled. “Ma, I’m your only son, and you love us all. None of us are your favorite.”
She arched a brow conceding the point.
A thought hit me and I canted my head at her. “How’d you find out Penny hopes we’ll hit it off again?”
A devious smile curled her lips. “I run a hair salon, Clint. Beauty might be my business, but I trade in gossip by the hour.”
I sighed because I damn sure knew that.
“You don’t cut Penny’s hair, though, and she doesn’t get out that often.”
She nodded. “Yes, but I know her stylist. And her stylist has the loosest lips.”
I looked out at the street. The rain had tapered off.
“So, what? You just here to lecture and run?”
“Of course. Rumor has it Erica is back with that no-good Carlos. So many lectures, so little time. I love you.”
I bent so she could kiss my cheeks. “Love you too, Mamá. I’ll walk you to your car.”
She waved me away. “Don’t bother. I won’t melt.”
“You raised me better than that. Let’s go.”
I stood on the sidewalk watching her car until she turned the corner, pleased to see she’d got her right turn signal fixed.
Sitting on the porch again, I smiled. It was good Mamá had dropped by, because regardless of my age, that was a lecture I needed to hear. Even though I heard every word she said, and I agreed with her; I wasn’t sure I could stay away from Raegan.
THE NEXT MORNING, BROCK chuckled while sighing and I didn’t know why.
“Nothing about what I said was funny, Sullivan.”
We were surveilling Brandon Slagle a middle-aged man who worked at a dry cleaner. Brock sat in the passenger seat of my SUV sipping coffee. I had just told him about Mamá’s impromptu lecture.
He tipped his plastic-lidded cup at me. “You’re right, except it kinda is.”
I glared at him for a moment before I looked back to the storefront. “Are you trying to piss me off?”
He laughed outright. “No.”
“Then, elaborate.”
“I shouldn’t tell you this. Or, you’re gonna say I should’ve told you sooner, but whatever. Your mother’s concerned you’re going to get back with her, while she was concerned that you and her sister had something going on.”
My head twitched because I wanted to whip my head to him, but I quelled the urge since I couldn’t afford to bring us any attention.
“The fuck? You cannot be serious. And you’re right. You should have told me sooner, so why didn’t you?”
From the corner of my eye I saw him shrug. “Don’t know. She seemed... not exactly vulnerable, but delicate about the subject matter. I thought it best to keep it between me and her. It’s not like I’m gonna see her again or anything.”
I blew out a breath. On the one hand, he was probably right, but on the other hand, if I needed someone to be
