Chapter 15
Randy
“Mom!” I yell as I enter my childhood house. I bend down, picking up Mickie the Jack Russell as he licks my face in greeting as I look into his big brown eyes. “Where’s Mom, Mickie?” I ask, shrugging my gym bag off my shoulder and onto the floor.
“Oh, my baby is here!” She greets me with her loving smile and wraps me in a warm embrace, which seems to last a few seconds longer since the shooting.
Nora Harrison is a gorgeous woman, long blonde hair, attractive face, and toned body with her daily exercise routine.
Since Dad passed, she could have remarried several times over with all the guys chasing her, but it never interested her to date.
She had her one true love, and after his death, her sole focus was me.
Thankfully, she has a few girlfriends who keep her occupied, and she is out drinking and socializing with them, probably more than me.
I’m sure she has the occasional fuck-buddy, but I don’t want to think about that.
The word ‘fuck’ and ‘mom’ don’t belong in the same sentence.
I place Mickie back on the floor and follow Mom into the kitchen. Opening the fridge, I grab a can of soda.
“I bought us some steaks for dinner tonight and just thought we would have them with fries and salad.”
“Sounds good to me,” I reply, sliding a seat out from our old five-piece dining room table.
She grabs her water from the countertop, taking a sip, and slides into the chair across from me. “So, how is Christian?”
“Christian is really good. We were throwing the ball around this morning, and he felt no pain and seemed to have full movement, so that’s improvement.”
“Oh, I’m so glad! The whole thing still gives me nightmares. I’m just thankful you boys and Shelby are all okay. I had coffee with Mary just the other day and we both ended up in tears venting to each other, but I think it was therapeutic for us to talk it out.”
I reach across the table for my mom’s hand and see her eyes sparkle with unshed tears.
“Mom, we are okay; you saw Christian and Shelby Christmas Eve when we went over there for lunch, and they were fine. Honestly, the only thing on my mind at the moment is the wager payout and upcoming game! So, just remember to shield your eyes when I run out,” I say, trying to soften the conversation.
“Oh, please, child.” She smiles but wipes at her eyes. “it’s nothing I haven’t seen before.”
That’s basically true. All I do is rock shorts and underwear around the house—a small improvement from when I was a child and refused to wear clothes period.
As for the white ass. Well, that’s been a few years since Mom and I went hiking and I got a tick on my butt cheek.
Fifteen-year-old me had to lie across my mom’s lap while she dug it out.
Thank God none of my friends know that story.
“Although, I don’t think I will make it for the training session with work. But I will definitely be there before the game starts, and no doubt, I will see my grown, naked son’s ass on YouTube before I arrive at the stadium.”
“Yup, it’s going to be a closed training session, but still heaps of people will be there setting up for the game. The band, cheerleaders, and of course, Coach has allowed Shelby to be there with Christian, and I think he will sneak some more in.”
“I see you brought your overnight bag, are you staying the night?” She looks at me with hope and eagerness.
“Yeah. I thought I’d stay the night since it will be our last chance for the year to catch up. You were going out with the girls tomorrow night, weren’t you?”
“Yes, I’ll be heading over to Sonia’s at five and getting ready there and then going to the local New Year’s event with all the girls. Should be a good night, I just hope I can last till midnight.”
“Please, Mom, you’re still a spring chicken you’ll be fine.”
“Then I’ll need to find a hot guy to kiss at midnight.”
“No guy is good enough for you!” I grumble out.
She raises her brows at me. “Oh, and what random girl will you be kissing?”
I give her a look, knowing my words may take her by surprise. “Actually, I’ve been seeing someone.”
She looks at me in a shocked, yet happy, way. “Oh, has my baby got himself a girlfriend?”
“Early days yet, Mom, but we did just have our first date. I took her to Bella Bellissino.”
“Oh, how are Franco and Liliana?”
“They are great. They loved Rachel, and they said to send you their love.”
“Sonia and I are going next week. So, no doubt I will hear all about your date from them! So, Rachel, huh? Tell me about her?”
“Well, I guess the most important thing to know is that she has a son named Sam.”
“Oh, wow, a young mom at college…that’s impressive. She must have a good support network around her.”
“Yes, she lives with her parents not too far from campus. She is the same age as me, and studying to be a nurse. She is smart, beautiful, and I really think you would like her, Mom.” I watch my mom’s face and try to read her reaction because I can feel the lovesick look on my face.
“I look forward to meeting her and her son. Have you met him?”
“No, I haven’t. She is protective of who she lets into his life. And what we have is still pretty new.”
“That’s smart.” She gestures and takes a sip of her water. “No mom should have random guys coming and going in their child’s life; well, at least that’s what I think, or the values I tried to live by after your dad died.”
“I loved the way you raised me after Dad died.”
“So how are you feeling about the next game?” she says changing the subject.
“A bit nervous,” I reply because she gets the truth. To everyone else I lie and boast how confident I am. “It’s going to be a hard game and tougher now without Christian.”
“I have faith in you, son, and win or lose I will be waiting for you outside the players door. No pressure, baby, because I’ll be proud of you regardless, and I know your dad is too!”
I nod slowly to her response, trying to keep my emotions in check. “Thanks, Mom.”
A few hours later I have the steaks cooking on the barbeque and Mom is preparing the fries and salad.
We have our movie picked and will settle in for a quiet night.
I could picture Rachel and her son here with us, hanging out together.
I think they would get along great. My mom loves kids, and I know she is secretly anticipating the time she becomes a grandma and spending endless hours playing and baking with them.
I reach for my phone to check in on Rachel but see I already have some messages.
Christian: *Added Seth to the group*
Christian: Yo, can someone take out the trashcans?
Seth: With what weapon?
Christian: Idiot.
Walsh: Already have. Randy, u gunna wax?
Christian: Still can’t believe Coach is onboard with this.
Walsh: Can’t believe I just asked about Randy’s private area…
Me: *Finger emoji*
Gypsy: Was thinking maybe I could come over 2night?
Me: Soz, at my mom’s place.
Devon: Think u can practice some catches with me before the next game. Kinda nervous, man.
Me: Yeah, man. Call ya tmw, don’t worry u got this.
Mitch: Alex is the one with the rack, right?
Me: Yeah, but she likes Reilly.
Kelly: U got a date for NYs?
Me: Yeah, soz
Me: Hey, I miss u! Can’t wait to c u tomorrow.
Rachel: I miss you too. Tell your mom I said hi.
Me: Will do.