Page 16 of Uncharted
Reno blinked at me. “Are we dating?”
“Practically,” my mom piped up before I could answer, and I groaned.
“Don’t you start,” I said with a shake of my head. “Momma, c’mon. Don’t make this worse. I told you to stop lettin’ her read those weird books.”
“They’re romance books, and she’s a grown woman who can do as she pleases.”
“Kinda funny how she’s a grown woman who can do as she wants, but when I do what I want, you call me names,” I said with a frown.
“You’ve always needed a little more…guidance,” she said in a gentle voice that wasn’t fooling me for a minute. “Boys always do.”
“Is that classic sexism or that benevolent sexism I’ve heard about?” Reno wondered, and I rolled my eyes.
“Momma,” I said, letting a bit of pleading into my voice so she might take pity on me. “I called because Cait is asking for one of your cobblers.”
“Peach, I imagine,” she said. “She sent you to ask, eh?”
“Yeah.”
“Meanin’ you want somethin’ from her then.”
“I mean—”
“Uh-huh. And what’s the truth?”
“Fine, I’m trying to have a boys’ night out and to do it, we need her here to monitor things since I’m sure most of us are goin’. She named her price.”
“And her price was my cobbler,” my mom said in amusement. “Can’t fault her taste.”
“I don’t think anyone who’s had your cooking would fault her for that,” Reno said with a laugh.
“Now, don’t I wish my boys could be as smart as you,” she said with a chuckle. “Well, you can tell Cait I’ll send one your way. But you’d better be—”
“I’ll cover the costs,” I assured her. “And don’t forget—”
“A big one for all of y’all, and one just for her, I got it,” she said, because it was not her first rodeo. “And I had better see you soon. I don’t care what holiday it’s for, but you better get your butt down here. And bring Reno, he needs a little hands-on TLC…bring that brother of his too if you can.”
“Not sure that’s a battle I’ll win,” Reno snickered. “But I’ll see what I can do.”
“You do that, and while you’re at it, why don’t you two find yourselves—”
“Mom!” I protested, because I knew exactly where that was headed and I didn’t want any part of it. “Don’t!”
“All I’m saying is you boys aren’t getting any younger, and all your siblings have no trouble whatsoever findin’ someone,” she said lightly. “And nothin’ wrong with a mother hoping the best for her kids. And I know you’re not one of mine, Reno, but right now, I’m gonna treat ya like ya are.”
“That feels kind of like a threat,” Reno said, but he was smiling. “And don’t go worrying about my love life; I’m certainly not.”
“Well then, someone needs to be, and it can’t be Jake,” she said, and I frowned.
“Momma,” I began in protest. “I dunno if I want to tell you to stop or if I should be hurt that ya think I can’t be a good wingman.”
“He doesn’t need a wingman,” she said, and I could picture her scowling. “I’m talking about him finding love, not a companion for the night.”
“Did your mom just call me a slut?” Reno asked in bewilderment, but I noticed, no offense.
“No, she’s saying I’m only good for getting you laid,” I rolled my eyes. “Anyway, so I think I’m gonna—”
“You are gonna stay on the line is what you’re going to do,” she said. “Your daddy is comin’ back in a minute and he’s gonna wanna hear from you. Plus, we’ve got company, so you turn this into a video call so you can say hello properly.”
