Chapter 38 #2
“She doesn’t work at the moment,” he said, shaking his head. “My brother pays for a lot, so I suppose she doesn’t have to.”
“Oh, that’s alright, isn’t it?” Mum commented. “Take notes, Kai - when you’re a famous footballer, look after your old mum.”
I knew she was only joking, but comments like that always made my blood pressure spike.
It hit that part of me that wanted to take care of her, even when I had no idea how to.
I didn’t know how much money she had left.
I didn’t know how long we could keep things afloat.
Lately she’d been making little remarks about the electric bills, about cutting back, about ‘being sensible.’ And it worried me. More than I’d ever admit out loud.
“You’re thirty-seven,” I said, rolling my eyes. “And you know I will.”
“I know, honey.” She smiled warmly, placing a hand on mine briefly. “Though I don’t know if I could ever leave the hospital.”
“Mum’s a nurse,” I said to Alex, clarifying, and he nodded.
“I know I complain, but I know I’d miss it if I left,” Mum said. “That’s what I always say to Kai. Make sure you do a job you love. If you find something you love, you’ll never work a day in your life. But I bet your mum’s told you that, too.”
She looked at Alex again.
And I watched him freeze.
Not dramatically - not enough for Mum to notice - but enough for me.
He forced a smile. “Um… yeah. Something like that.”
“So, do you know what you want to do when you’re older? Have you started thinking about jobs yet? Or which university you want to go to?”
“I haven’t really thought about it,” he said. “If my brother had it his way, I’d be joining his business.”
“That could be good,” Mum said, raising her brows.
But my stomach dropped.
“Is that something you want to do?” I asked, turning to him. I couldn’t hide the concern on my face. Alex wasn’t a dealer. Yeah, he did stuff on the side for Connor, but that wasn’t him. It just wasn’t. He was too good for that world.
Too soft. Too careful. Too… Alex.
He shrugged, eyes drifting from mine back to his plate. “I don’t know.”
“Well, you’ve got plenty of time to figure it out,” Mum said, not catching the tension at all. “Not everyone knows exactly what they want to be at eight years old.” She raised her eyebrows at me.
“I know that,” I sighed, leaning back in my seat.
“So, go on then, tell me how this history assignment is going,” Mum said, gesturing between us.
“It’s going,” I said with a small chuckle.
“We haven’t got much done,” Alex admitted, taking a sip of water.
“Well, you’ll have to come round here more, get it done. I don’t mind having you. If I’m home, I’ll make tea. Saves you having to have those microwave meals and takeaways for a night.”
Alex nodded, a small smile pressing onto his lips.
I smiled back at him. He looked unsure - like he was happy about the offer but didn’t know if he wanted to accept it. And honestly, I didn’t blame him. Mum had been firing questions at him like she was conducting a police interview. He probably felt like he was being interrogated rather than fed.
“Oh, Kai, honey, I almost forgot - how was the game? I know it got rained off, but was it still a good turnout?” Mum said, blue eyes twinkling at me.
“Yeah, it was good,” I replied, not wanting to tell her that I almost got in a fight with Alfie and then hit him outside the school. I’m sure that would go down a treat at Sunday dinner. Alex’s eyes caught mine, only briefly.
“And any news on the scouts?” She said, leaning back in her chair. She was done eating, and so was Alex, by the looks of it.
“Coach is talking to me tomorrow after training.” I smiled, helping myself to the extras.
“Hopefully it’s good news.” She crossed her fingers at me.
I nodded. “I mean, they never tell you which game they’re coming to, but he might know which schools are interested.”
“Hopefully not one too far away from me,” she said. “I don’t know if I could stand being away from my baby for that long.”
I rolled my eyes. “Stop with the baby stuff.”
“I can’t help it, honey.” She smiled, eyes sparkling. “You are my baby.”
“Ughh.” I groaned, turning to Alex. “Sorry about her. She doesn’t realise her son is seventeen.” I made sure to hit seventeen hard.
“It’s fine,” Alex said, clearly amused.
“Every parent still sees their kid as a baby,” Mum went on. “Doesn’t matter how big you are. I’m sure Alex’s mum is just the same.”
He nodded, a tight-lipped smile pulling at his mouth, and I got the feeling he couldn’t relate.
“Now, who’s ready for cake?” Mum said, eyes bright.
Alex nodded immediately.
“Great, let me take your plates.” She reached toward his.
“Do you want some help?” Alex asked politely.
“Don’t be silly, you’re our guest,” Mum said, and he handed his plate over, a little timid, like he wasn’t used to being waited on. I smiled at him, hoping to ease that unease in him.
When she left the table, I leaned toward him, lowering my voice.
“Are you okay?” I asked.
“Yeah. Your mum’s really nice.” He smiled - soft, genuine - and took a sip of his water. “Thank you for inviting me over.”
“Thank you for accepting the invite.” I smiled back, tapping my fingers lightly against the table. “But you know we have a problem now.”
His smile faltered. His shoulders stiffened, eyes widening just a touch. “What?”
“Now she’s met you, she’ll want you around all the time.” I laughed, leaning back in my chair. “It’s just how she is.”
“Seriously?” Alex said, the smile returning as he brushed his fringe out of his eyes.
“Yeah. And I’ll probably get, ‘How’s Alex?’ every time I get back from school.” I shook my head, laughing.
“Do you think she likes me, then?” he asked, voice dropping to a low whisper as he glanced toward the kitchen.
“Are you kidding? She loves everyone who compliments her cooking,” I chuckled, nudging his arm with mine.
A slow smile claimed his lips - small at first, then settling there like it belonged. And when Mum came back round with the cake, his eyes flicked up to her, then back to me, that smile still holding.
It warmed something in my chest.
Something I wanted to hang onto.