Page 21 of Reckless Love
She tried to get Levi to call her Ouma, like she called her favorite grandma or Gogo after her other grandma, but Levi gave it his own twist, and she’s been Gigi ever since. Now even my dad calls her Gigi more than Amara.
“I’m the best Gigi that ever lived and don’t you forget it.”
“You are. You really are. Are you sure about this? I can pick him up from Carrie’s tomorrow and then meet you at the airport.”
“No, don’t worry about picking us up. We’ll try to get in early enough to see you before you have to go and just meet you at the house. It’ll be good. I’m excited to see him.Andyou.” Her eyebrow lifts. “Why do you look like you’re still worrying?”
My mouth parts and I force it closed, shaking my head. “It’s…nothing. Thank you for your help, Mama. I appreciate you.”
She levels her gaze on me. “Talk to me, my sunshine. You have not been yourself for a while now. Why is that?”
I groan and make a face. “Why you gotta be so perceptive,Gigi?”
She giggles and I swear, my mom looks younger than me sometimes.
“You better tell Gigi what’s happening before I get there or I’ll be all up in your business!”
“Either way I look at it, you’re in my business. Do I have that right?”
She giggles again. “Yes, my sunshine. You have that right.”
“Things are weird with Elle and it’s…messing with me.”
“Oh no. What do you mean, weird?”
“Well, for one thing, she was supposed to go with me to the wedding and because of being on the cheer team, she’s allowed to go, but she can’t be near me or the guys.”
“That is the craziest thing I have ever heard,” she says emphatically. “You are Rhodes Archer. You do not pay attention to such craziness.”
I laugh. “Said as only my mama could.”
She shifts her curls back and gives me a regal smile. “Anyone who wants to question this can speak to Amara about it.”
I snort. “Okay, got it. I’ll send the cheerleader director your way.”
She nods slightly, as if to say,Bring it.
“And what else is going on with Elle?” she asks.
“What else?”
“You said, for one thing…so what else is there?”
There’s no way I can tell my mom that something happened between us. I regret telling the guys and they don’t have even a tenth of the grit and determination that my mother has.
So when her eyes light up and she points at me, myhand teeters to hold the phone upright and not hang up right then.
“Rhodes!” she sings. “What happened between you and Elle?”
Aw, hell.
“Nothin’, Mama.Nothing.”
“Oh, this little trip to see you could not be timelier. Daddy and I will be there as soon as we can tomorrow, and you better get ready to spill because I can see that you arenigh unto bursting.”
“I have no idea what that means,” I say.
“Mm-hmm,” she chirps. “Love you, my sunshine. I’ll see you and that little angel tomorrow!”