Chapter Ten #2
Do I want to tell her what’s on my mind?
I should, I know I’ll feel better, but then Mom will also be curious, and I don’t want her to be until Kinsley has had a chance to come to terms with us and is ready.
I’ll give her some time, but mark my words, that woman will be mine for good, one day.
I don’t know when it hit me, maybe on my drive over here last night after I left Kinsley wearing a cute little smirk on her face, but none of it matters.
What does, is that I give her the space she needs so I can bring her in closer for the long haul.
Kinsley is endgame, and two things I know how to do well are to be patient and win.
“Out with it, kid.” She orders. Mom has a way of making me feel like a twelve-year-old at times, even with me being a grown man on the brink of retirement.
“I met a woman. I’ve seen her a few times; I text her way too much…And now I want things to be serious with her.”
Mom’s brows nearly hit her hairline. There’s a first for everything, and I’m sure she’s shocked I’m discussing this with her.
She usually teases me a bit about past girlfriends she’s seen in the headlines with me, but I always laugh it off.
I guess I somehow knew in my gut before that none of them were serious, and they didn’t matter as much as Kinsley does to me.
“Maybe you need this more than me,” she holds out her drink, and I smile, shaking my head.
She can’t help her sarcasm and dry humor, which is where I get mine from at times, too.
“Well, at least you know what you want, JJ. Most men don’t have an inkling until it’s nearly too late.
I’m going to go out on a limb here and say you aren’t in the same boat, with it being too late, I mean.
It sounds like things are relatively new? ”
“Yes and no. I ran into her at the hardware store a few times.”
She gasps, her hand landing on my arm as she sits up. “Wait a minute, is this the same woman you helped in the parking lot? The one from the articles splashed everywhere I turn around?”
I nod.
“Oh, my son. So it is kismet, then,” she whispers and nods to herself as if she’s come to some sort of conclusion.
“She was put in your life to help her, and you did. You passed the test laid before you, JJ. If you’re still seeing her and thinking of her, feeling so strongly, perhaps she was put into your path for so much more than a mere good deed. To be permanent.”
“I figured you’d be wary of me talking about a new woman, not so supportive.”
She sips her frozen cocktail, shaking her head.
“I’m not wary with this one. You said she had no idea who you were when you helped her.
It makes me believe the two of you meeting was fate, simply stepping in to finally give you someone who values you for being you.
” She sips her drink again, relaxing back in her lounge chair.
She’s wearing the look she always has when she’s made up her mind that she’s right about something.
She finishes, “And what a way to leave a lasting impression on her, too. I bet she feels safe with you. This could be the one, JJ, and I’m excited for you. ”
“I know, Mom. I thought the same thing. I felt it.”
Her mouth drops open in surprise again. “You did? Seriously?”
I nod, releasing a relieved breath. It feels good admitting it out loud, and especially to my mom. She’s always been there for me, having my back anytime I’ve needed her to. “Yes, I’m falling for her.”
“Do you think she feels the same way?”
I shrug, admitting, “I finally told her who I am last night. She knows I play for Dallas, and to say she was stunned is putting it lightly. I told her if she wants to talk, I’ll be here today, then heading home.”
“Oh no, you don’t, young man. Put on a shirt so you don’t give my neighbors an early heart attack, and then take your butt on over to her house.
You don’t sleep on a woman like this; never let her get mixed up in her own thoughts.
She’ll talk herself out of anything given enough time, I don’t doubt it for a second.
You need to be there, with her, so she realizes you’re the one for her. ”
“How do you know this sort of thing?”
“Because, my son, if you care about her so deeply, then I know she’ll be a smart woman.
A smart woman is always the first to talk herself out of taking a possible risk, leading to heartache.
I know as much from experience.” Sadness pours from her, and I lean in, hugging her.
Did my mom love someone, and now she regrets never taking the chance on them?
That’s a question for another day if I ever work up the nerve to ask her.
“I don’t want to come off as being too pushy,” I quietly confess as I lean back.
“The only thing you’ve ever been pushy about in life is football. It’s time for you to take the chance and push about this too.”
She’s right. If I don’t take the chance of showing up again, and Kinsley decides not to see me again, I know I’ll regret it.
“While you get things right with your girlfriend, I’ll start looking up rings.”
“Mom…”
“It’s going to happen, mark my words. And then you’ll be happy I found a ring in time before you fall asleep again and decide the next step is marriage.”