Page 59 of Seein’ Red

Shit…

I face my mother head-on. Time to face the music. This is not the way I wanted to tell her. Ever. Ignoring that this isn’t the way I ever saw this going, I’d much prefer if Nash were sitting by my side. That way we could both get what’s coming.

“I…err…”

“Is that what all that was about?” she asks, nodding toward the door.

“Partially. She made some comments about Nash, and it just…”

“Say no more.”

I startle, freezing in place. Did she just…no. I misheard her. There is no way she understands all that is going on just from me saying his name. I’m damn good at keeping secrets, and I know that no one had any idea about us. If our friends hadn’t figured it out, then no one had.

“I can see your mind whirring, baby girl. I am your mother; I know more than you think.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Which means I know the feelings you have for that boy. Man. Whatever he is now. The feelings that you’ve always had for him.”

“She tell you they were sucking face?” Milo shouts from the bar.

“Milo!” I scream.

Miss Belle just shakes her head. “Didn’t need to know that part, but thanks, son. So, does that mean that you two have finally stopped fighting it?”

“It’s, well…it’s complicated.”

“Always is.”

“Wasn’t for you and Daddy.”

My parents’ romance as teenagers is the stuff of Hickory Hills legend. Love at first sight, Miss Belle and Auggie were the talk of the town. Big wedding and the whole nine. Maybe that’s why all seven of us are still single, out of fear we’d never live up.

“Oh, trust me…we had our share of drama. There wasn’t ever a cat fight, but…”

I snort. I don’t think she meant that to be funny. But it was.

“Willa, just follow your heart. Your daddy and I only want you to be happy. And if that’s with Nash Keller, well, we’ll be thrilled. All I ask if that you behave yourself in the process. Please.”

“Okay, Mama.”

Leaning forward, she pulls me into a hug, holding me for a long moment. Her embrace is warm, welcoming, and loving. Everything I needed to soothe the worry in me.

Milo appears as we let go, putting two waters down on the table. “Is it safe now? You scared away Brenna.”

“Ha, ha. You're so funny!”

Milo winks, giving me a snarky smile, then turns to walk away.

“It’s okay, Willa. Let him go. He's too busy pretending like he hasn’t noticed that Brenna Rawlins is all grown up.”

Milo stops, shooting us back a look.

“Ohhhhh, careful there, old man,” I prod. “She’s younger than I am.”

He flips us the bird and continues on his way. Miss Belle and I burst into laughter.

“C’mon, baby girl. Let’s go grab dinner, and you can tell me all about this secret we know you’ve been keeping.”