Page 3 of Running Into The Grump

But beyond that, it pissed me off too.

Because that asshole was Jackson.

Chapter 2

Jackson

Ihated the thought of having to come back into this town. Of having to see these people.

I really thought when I moved away, I wouldn’t have to see this place again. Mom came out to visit me often enough and she never asked for me to come here.

It was perfect for the both of us.

And my wife didn’t mind.

But then, shit hit the fan and I got screwed. I lost her, my house, my job, and my money. How the hell that happened, I didn’t know.

Or even better yet, what the hell happened.

Honestly, I wasn’t sure I wanted to know.

But that left me in a hell of a pickle and while I didn’t want to come back to this small ass town, I didn’t have a choice. I couldn’t live there, not with all the memories and the people giving me looks. Not to mention the whole job deal. But at the same time, I needed a safe place to lick my wounds.

So, I came back here.

Figured I could hide away from people, not have to bother with them, while my soul recovered from that shock.

Then again, I knew my mom, and I’m sure half the town already knew what the hell was going on in my life thanks to her. The woman was a sweetheart, but she had the gift of talk and used it. A lot. To anyone who would like to listen.

I sighed as I drove down the street, not caring that the speed limit said twenty-five. It wasn’t like people were walking around right now, not at this time. And the cops in the area were all getting dinner, not patrolling the area like they should.

So, when I sped down the street, I barely missed the woman who decided to cross. And I laid on my horn to let her know she was in the wrong.

However, as I glanced back in the mirror, her face showed nothing but anger and the hand gesture she sent my way had me smirking.

And if I didn’t know better, I was pretty sure that was Jacqueline. I think I recalled something about my mom saying she worked at the library.

But why the hell was she walking home?

I shook my head, not needing to worry about her or care.

I had my own issues, and that was my mother.

With a sigh, I pulled up to her house and parked my car, climbing out with a wince. After being down south for so long, I forgot what fall weather actually felt like.

“Where have you been?”

“Mom, I’m a grown ass man, not a child. You don’t need to keep tabs on me,” I told her, walking into the house but kissing her cheek as I passed her.

“As long as you are living under my roof young man, I will always demand to know where you are.”

She was way too cute when she was all upset at me. I loved to ruffle her feathers. Did it as a teenager, still doing it now. After all, it was the joy and the perk of being her son.

“Doesn’t that line get old, Mom?”

“It doesn’t. Because it’s true. Now, where did you go?”

I sat down on the couch and leaned my head back, my thoughts twisting around themselves.