Two months later
“You nervous?” I swing my car into the drive.
She flips her lip ring with a swipe from her tongue and shakes her head in the negative, only to meet my stare when I throw the gear into park. Her eyes are wide. “Fine. A little.” She rolls them at my laughter.
“It’s okay, but you have to know she’s gonna love you. She already does.” I lean over the console and place a chaste kiss on her lips, falling forward so our foreheads touch. “I love you, Lex. That’s all that matters.”
A knock at the glass startles us apart and now it’s my turn to roll my eyes when I find my mom waving her hands, her smile huge from behind the window.
“I’ll apologize now. She’s a tad excited you’re here.”
Lexi nods and opens her mouth to speak, but she doesn’t have much time to react before her door is opened. I chuckle under my breath as I open my door to come around the car.
“Finally, we get a proper introduction.” My mom grasps Lexi’s hands and then pulls her into a crushing hug. “It’s so nice to see you again, Lexi. Thank you for loving my son.”
“Oh. I. Um.”
Mom releases Lexi from her embrace and I quickly grab my girlfriend’s hand before Mom scares her. I tug her next to me and we follow inside the house. It’s been months since I’ve been home but the place feels the same as before.
“Now, Lexi, please tell me you’ll be moving in soon. At least staying here until they hit the road again?” But before Lexi can stutter an answer, Mom’s already waving for us to follow. “Come in. I have someone I want you to meet as well!”
I can’t imagine who she has here, but it better not be a boyfriend. I know the day is coming, but I’m not ready for that.
“Did your Mom really just ask me to move in with you,” Lexi whispers at my side.
“I told you she’d be fine with it. You won’t reconsider?”
“It’s too soon. Besides, I have to record my album and I already decided on the studio in Austin.”
“LA has some great studios, too,” I remind her, but we’ve already had this argument. I sigh, stop walking, and tug so Lexi turns to face me. “I wish it wasn’t so damn far,” I admit. My fingers rub along her arms until her brow softens and she pushes up on her toes to reach for a sweet kiss. Well, at least it starts that way. Within seconds, I’ve almost forgotten my mother in the other room.
Lexi pulls back, purses her lips, and then gives in to a relaxed smile that lights up her entire face. “Only a plane ride away. Besides, we’ll be back together in a month to finish the tour. It’ll go quickly. I promise.”
“You’re right. And I’m so damn proud of you.”
“Thanks, Trent. I’ll miss you, but I need to do this on my own. Besides, I want to use the time to get to know Opal.” Lexi’s newfound relationship with her half-sister is complicated at best. After finding her after Richie’s burial, we convinced her to join us for lunch. She’s private, innocent, and the complete opposite of Lex, but has been understanding and cooperative in our request for a discreet paternity test. Lexi tried not to establish too much of a connection with the girl until we knew for certain, but it was clear she already felt responsible for her. When we found out a month ago she was in fact Richie’s daughter, Lexi made the decision to record in Texas so she’d only be a few hours’ drive from Opal.
“Trent, stop kissing your girlfriend and get in here!”
Lexi and I laugh, and hand in hand we continue toward the back of the house.
We step into the living room and I look around but no one’s inside. My mom stands with her hands on her hips, a knowing smirk on her face.
“What? We were only talking. I swear.” I shake my head and scan the room again, looking for this mystery guest. I prepare myself to meet a man. That has to be the reason for her stranger than normal behavior and the smile that doesn’t leave her face. Don’t get me wrong, my mom’s a joyful person, but she’s got thatnothing can dim my sunshineradiance going on. Better not be a live-in boyfriend. My head swivels in the direction of her bedroom. “So, where’s your friend?”
She laughs, crouching down behind the oversized sectional sofa until I can only see the back of her head.
“Uh, Mom. What’s going on? I thought you said—”
She pops up from the back of the couch. “Surprise!” In her arms she holds out a tiny fluff ball.
“Is that a puppy?”
“Meet Tony! Isn’t he sweet? I needed a man in my life for when I’m all alone. He completely stole my heart.”
“You got a dog. Thank fuck!”
Lexi’s already at my mom’s side, petting the wiggly little thing. “He’s adorable! Aren’t you? You are just the sweetest wittle man. I already love you.” She baby talks—yeah, my tough as nails girl talks like a small child to the pup—and this dog already has one up on me.
