My eyes shift around the room, willing Garrick to appear at any second to help me out. I don’t even hear him moving around the house, which tells me he’s not here.
It’s Chase who confirms. “Your husband went for a run, sis.” The smile in his tone makes me want to glare at him for finding this funny, but I’m already making a bad impression on their mother and I know how important she is to Garrick.
Sighing lightly, I tell her the truth. “My family doesn’t know. They live in New York and things happened…quickly.” It’s better to give a half-truth than a lie. I have no clue what Garrick did or didn’t say. Does he even know she’s here? Did he purposefully leave me to fend for myself?
Elaine hums, studying me again before finally nodding. “That’s what my oldest said. It’s a shame. He mentioned you were close to your family. This is a big deal, so I’m sure they would have wanted to be there to support you like I would have wanted to for my son.”
It’s hard to swallow past the shame lodged into my throat, so all I can do is nod and wipe my sweaty palms along the sides of my thigh. At least I brushed my hair and teeth before coming down. It’s about as nice as I’ve looked in days, probably since the wedding.
After a long moment, she nods once and walks back over to the stove. “I suppose what’s done is done. I’d like to get to know you. Why don’t you tell me about yourself starting with how you like your bacon?”
It takes me a few seconds before I shuffle to the island and sit at the stool next to Chase. He’s still trying to stuff his face so he doesn’t have to contribute, but there’s a small grin that I think has to do with my obvious discomfort over the grilling I’m about get from his mother.
But I do as my new mother-in-law asks and give her a little view into my life—not before I kick Chase under the island and watch as he spills some of his cereal.
My life is nothing exciting, and there are parts I certainly skip, including why her son and I tied the knot, until she seems a little more satisfied with the situation. Not happy, that’s for sure, but her gaze doesn’t look nearly as venomous as it did which I consider a small win.
I can’t say she likes me, but she doesn’t show her dislike either as she nods along and asks follow-up questions in between. All the while Chase ping-pongs back and forth between us like he’s invested or waiting for me to screw up.
Offering to help once she’s finished cooking, I grab plates and glasses from the cupboard while she gathers silverware, and freeze when she bluntly asks, “Do you love my son?”
It’s a miracle I don’t drop the plates, but there’s no doubt the woman whose been eyeing me like a hawk since I came downstairs saw the way I locked up at the question.
Before I can answer, a new voice saves the day as an overheated, sweaty body comes up behind me and presses itself into my back. “Of course she does,” Garrick announces, pecking me on the cheek and ruffling my hair that’s barely contained in a frizzy ponytail. “I wouldn’t have married her otherwise.”
The lie settles deep into my chest, sinking its claws into my heart. When I turn, Garrick drapes a bare arm over my shoulder and tugs me into his side. His sleeveless shirt is drenched and he’s still breathing hard as he catches his breath, the soft sound of music crooning from the air pods in his ears before he fiddles with his phone to turn off the music.
I know that anything I say will be dissected by his mother, so I choose my words carefully. “I’m very lucky to have Garrick in my life. He’s the most respectful guy I’ve ever met and has helped me when he knew I needed it most.”
Garrick squeezes me. “Because I knew you’d never ask.”
My eyes shift upward, a genuine smile softly lifting my lips. “I appreciate it.”
He shoots me a wink before turning to his mother with a cheeky grin. “Brekkie smells amazing, Mum.”
I don’t miss the way her gaze moves back and forth between us, trying to figure us out. Whatever she sees, she accepts, and I wouldn’t mind knowing what that is. She gestures toward the table, waving her hand around. “Wash up and help your wife finish setting the table. Chase, when you’re done pretending to eat so you can eavesdrop on your brother and sister-in-law, you can get ready for the next showing we leave for in an hour. I have a good feeling about this one since the last offer fell through.”
It’s funny to watch the Matthews boys in action, not blinking once as they listen to their mother’s orders. Garrick pecks my cheek again, too close to the corner of my lips like he’d done the night of our wedding, leaving my face flushed despite the contact barely lasting a millisecond.
He jogs upstairs while Chase grumbles under his breath and finishes his cereal before dragging himself up too.
I’m setting a plate down when a soft hand reaches out and captures mine. “My son didn’t even bother getting you a ring? And here I thought I raised him better than that.”
My eyes widen when I realize the ring is currently in its box in my suitcase, still packed because I’m afraid the second I put my clothes anywhere else, something bad will happen.
I know this is my home for now—that Garrick wouldn’t kick me out unless I did something
