Anguish

“Best road trip ever.” I giggle.

He laughs hoarsely, and gets back into the driver’s seat. “No fuckin’ shit.”

I giggle again.

Then we hit the road.

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

“Just a warning, my mother is crazy,” I say to Mack as we get out of the house at my parents’ gorgeous three-story brick home on a large property.

“No crazier than you, I’d guess.”

I slap his arm, and he flashes me a smile.

“Nice place,” he notes.

“Yeah, it is.”

The front door swings open and my mom comes bounding out. She’s only a tiny woman, petite, with dark hair and pretty blue eyes. She’s a pocket rocket, wild as they come. She runs towards us, and I can’t help the smile that spreads across my face. I rush towards her and throw my arms around her neck when I reach her. She’s only slightly taller than me. Slightly.

“Jaylah, my baby. I’m so glad you’re here.”

I squeeze her, fighting back the tears. “Me too, Mom.”

She pulls back, looking over me. “You look beautiful.”

I grin, and watch as her eyes pass me, and land on Mack. She sucks in a breath, and I know she sees his beauty the same way I see it. “Oh, my,” she murmurs.

“Mom,” I say, turning and pointing to Mack. “This is Mack.”

“Come over here, Mack, and give your mother-in-law a hug.”

She did not just say that.

My cheeks flame as she rushes toward him, no holds barred, and literally throws herself into his arms. He has to take a step back to steady himself, but I catch his grin. She lets him go and stares up at him. “Well, aren’t you a handsome man. I’m Jenna, how are you?”

Mack reaches out, taking her hand. “Good to meet you, Jenna. I’m fine.”

“I’m so glad you came to visit me. I made fried chicken and my famous pumpkin pie.”

Mack’s eyes crinkle and I grin. He likes her; I can see it loud and clear.

“Well then, I’d better get my shi . . . stuff out of the car and come in.”

“You can say shit in front of me, Mack,” my mother chirps. “I don’t mind.”

Oh, boy. She totally does mind, but that just shows how much she likes him.

“Come on, Mom, let him go so he can get the bags.”

“I’m still sad you didn’t bring that sweet baby.”

I roll my eyes. “You’ll get to meet him.”

“But not when he’s cute and tiny,” she points out, then turns to Mack. “I’ll have to tell you what Jaylah did to poor little Lucy when she was younger.”

“Mom!” I groan.

“He deserves to know.”

Mack chuckles and pulls the bags out, throwing them over his shoulder.

“He’s strong,” Mom admires. “Good for the wedding night.”

My cheeks heat.

“Mother . . .”

“Jaylah, a man should be able to carry you to your suite, not the other way around.”

Jesus.

“Mom!”

“She makes a point,” Mack says winking at me as he passes.

“Lord,” I mutter.

“That’s a good man.” Mom nods, taking my hand and following Mack to the house.

“Where’s Daddy?”

“He’s inside, love.”

We head inside and I see my father coming in through the back door. His eyes light up and crinkle, like they always do when he sees me.

“Poppet,” he breathes.

“Daddy!”

I run towards him, not caring at all that I still call him Daddy. He’s just that kind of man. The best father you could ask for. He wraps me in a hug, spinning me around and locking me in close. I’m their only child and they’ve probably spoiled me a little much during my life, but they’re the best parents I could ever ask for. I could have come to them for money to pay off Gregor, but I guess a huge part of me didn’t want to let them down. Stupid, I know.

“I missed you.” I beam when he drops me on my feet.

“Missed you too, sweetheart.”

I smile up at him. He’s tall, with salt-and-pepper hair and a muscular build. His eyes are the same as mine, and his skin is olive from working in the sun.

“Daddy, I want you to meet Mack.”

I turn and nod towards Mack, who is standing back.

“Good to meet you, son,” my dad says, walking forward and extending his hand.

“Nice to meet you.”

They shake and both appraise each other.

“Call me Mickey.”

Mack nods.

“You want a beer?”

“Love one.”

“Good, I’ll show you my shed. You like old cars?”

And just like that, Mack and Daddy are gone. Well then, it would appear he’s fitting in just fine.

“Come and help me prepare the mashed potato,” Mom says, taking my hand and leading me into the kitchen. “Tell me more about him.”

I spend the next hour telling Mom about Mack, and how things have been. I don’t inform her about Benito and the problems going around, because I don’t want her to panic. I just fill her in on Diesel, and how things have been since I’ve had the job.

“So you haven’t killed that baby?”

“Mom!”

“It’s a shock, love.”

I laugh.

“I’ve missed your laugh,” she says, hugging me. “Now, go and get those boys for dinner.”