“What time is Mel coming or do I need to take you there?”
“She’ll be picking me up,” she answered.
“Are you sure you don’t need me to do anything?”
Her hand reached out and I touched hers with my own. “No. Take the day. You spent your days off with me. We owe you one.”
“You know hanging out with you isn’t work,” I told her.
“No, but I want you to have a day to yourself. You deserve it.”
As if on cue, Mel showed up ten minutes later. It was good to see her happy and excited. I walked them to Mel’s car and watched them leave. I was happy she was going to do something fun. It would be good for her to have some kind of normalcy in her life. I imagined her life before the accident had been filled with spa days and shopping sprees. This was a step in the right direction.
I went back into the house, passing through the kitchen before moving back to the cottage. I had no idea what I was going to do with myself for the day. I had just finished throwing a load of clothes in the washer when my phone rang. I reached for it, worried something had happened and Bree needed me.
Groaning, I saw my mother’s name again. I had no excuse to not take the call. It was better to get it over with now while I had the free time. I blew out a breath before answering her call.
“There you are,” she said, in her happy voice.
I knew all her voices. Her happy voice was the one I heard the least. She was always happy when she got new meds, or a doctor diagnosed her with something new. She was happy when she was showered with attention.
“Here I am,” I said. “You sound like you’re in a good mood.”
“I’m in a great mood!” she exclaimed. “I love the California sunshine.”
I froze, her words bouncing around in my skull. “The California sunshine?” I repeated. My mouth was dry, so dry my tongue stuck to the roof of my mouth.
“I’m in town, baby! I’m sitting here at LAX enjoying myself a fruity something or other. I tried to call you earlier.”
“You’re at LAX?” I asked.
My head was spinning. What the fuck was happening? “You are in California right now?”
“Well, that’s what the sign says,” she giggled. She was playing up the southern charm. It was laid on pretty thick, which told me she was trying to impress someone near her.
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.
“What are you doing here?” I asked.
“I wanted to see you, but we can talk face to face. Don’t tell me you’re going to leave me sitting here. “Lisa said you had a cute little place. I was thinking I would stay with you and see how you’re living here.”
I put a hand to my face, rubbing my eyes. “How long are you in town for?” I asked seeing my new life fading away.
“I’m not entirely sure yet. You’re starting to make me feel bad, Luke. Do you want me to go home?” She turned on the guilt trip, her voice weakening. The woman could win an Oscar.
“I didn’t say that, but I do have a job and responsibilities. I need to clear you staying with me with my employer. The cottage I’m in is his, on his property. I can’t just invite anyone onto the grounds.”
“Oh, that’s right. Lisa told me you were taking care of some rich girl that lives in a mansion with a gate and everything. I’m not surprised you landed on your feet. You always did have that thing about you.”
“That thing? What is that thing?”
“Oh, you’re handsome so rich people automatically love you,” she said, and it wasn’t said in a nice way.
I wasn’t going to get rid of her. I could blow her off when she was on the phone, but I couldn’t do it when she was in the same state. “I’ll be there in an hour,” I mumbled.
“Just give me a holler when you’re close and I’ll meet you.”
I hung up the phone, dreading the visit. I was glad Paul was out of town. He was probably going to think my family was using his property as our own personal hotel. My mom was difficult on her best day. Hopefully, I could get her back on a plane tomorrow and she would never have to meet Paul or Bree. Shit, I didn’t even want to think about that interaction.