Page 74 of Breaking Free

Mom got the insurance money from Dad’s death and put half of it toward the mortgage on the house, saving the rest for bills and such until she can find a job. She seems to be doing better each day, and even made friends with another neighbor.

Everything seems to be going really well. Suspiciously well. I feel like I’m waiting for something to ruin it all, but maybe that’s just because I’m used to not having a good streak for too long. Anytime me and Mom were doing all right, Dad would show back up or get drunk and ruin the calm and fun environment we had going on.

“Hey, Mom,” I say, coming down the hall.

“In the kitchen.”

I take a seat at the dining room table where I can watch her spin from the sink to the stove as she cooks something that smells amazing.

“Can I talk to you about something?”

Her brows dip in the center as she takes a towel and wipes her hands. After turning the burner down, she comes and sits across from me. “What’s wrong?”

I grin. “Nothing’s wrong. I just wanted to talk to you real quick.”

“Okay.”

“You remember that guy I was telling you about?”

Her face relaxes before her lips curl into a grin. “Yeah.”

“He was the one I was with when I saw you out shopping.”

“I wondered,” she said. “He’s cute.”

My eyes find the table as I smile. “Yeah. Well, I guess we’re a little more serious now.”

“Yeah? Is he out now?”

“To his parents and a handful of friends.”

“That’s good,” she says with a nod.

“He told his parents about me. And our friends know, too.”

Her smile grows wide. “I’m happy to hear that. He must think a lot of you.”

“I don’t know why.”

“Oh stop.”

I shrug, meeting her gaze. “I just wanted you to know about him, because I’ll probably be staying at his place this weekend. It’s his birthday and we’re all going out and celebrating.” I pause, feeling weird because I’ve never talked to my parents about anybody I was with. Granted, it was never serious with anyone until now, but still. “And uhh, he’s coming over to pick me up for the game, so if you want to meet him. I mean, officially. Then you can.”

Mom rushes over and wraps her arms around my neck, her cheek resting on the top of my head. “I’m so happy for you. Of course I want to meet him.” I chuckle, holding her around her waist until she pulls back and holds my face. “I’m happy you’re happy.”

“Me too.”

I hear a door close outside, letting me know Trevor’s arrived. My heart beats faster as I stand up and walk to the living room. Introducing him to mom in the capacity of my boyfriend is a huge, unfamiliar step.

His knock comes a second before I reach for the doorknob. He’s dressed in jeans and his football jersey, his hair falling across his forehead before he shoves a hand through it, pushing it back.

He grins, taking a deep breath. “Hey.”

I feel calmer just looking at him. “Hey. You ready?”

He nods once, rubbing his hands down the sides of his jeans like he’s ridding them of sweat.

“Mom,” I call, closing the door. She pops out of the kitchen with a huge smile. “This is Trevor.” I study his face. “My boyfriend.”