by Francis Ray
The cars of the Sisterhood gave him pause and made him feel even worse than he had all day. He loved his mother. Not for anything would he want to hurt her. She had to know that. Even if he hadn’t promised his father to watch over her and take care of her, he’d never let a man use her.
He rubbed his face with his hand. He did not want to think of his mother in that context.
He also didn’t think trying to call either his mother or Traci again would do any good. His mother’s answering machine was full. Traci had called around seven to tell him she’d talk to him tomorrow, then hung up. She hadn’t sounded too pleased with him.
It wasn’t enough that his mother was upset with him; his girlfriend was, too. He rolled his eyes, worked his shoulders at such an antiquated term. Yet somehow it fit whatever was going on between them. It was more than an affair. It wasn’t just the great sex, they really liked being with each other. He liked knowing he’d see her at the end of the day, and knew she felt the same way.
Until today. Until he’d hurt his mother.
Lights blazed in the house. There was no telling what the adventurous ladies were doing. He’d secretly nicknamed them the Bawdy Broads after they’d spent a wild weekend in Vegas at the Bellagio Hotel. Thankfully, what was done in Vegas stayed in Vegas, as Traci had said.
Ryan started the engine. He’d decided against going in. If Traci and his mother were miffed at him, all the Invincibles would be as well. His presence wouldn’t help the situation. They were as close as sisters.
His mother wasn’t alone, and that was the important thing. If he had to spend the night without Traci, perhaps it was fitting. Shifting the car into gear, he drove off.
Replete with good food, the best vintage wine and spirits, the most decadent chocolates in the world, the women reclined on Maureen’s bed late that night.
“I think we’re all in agreement, then,” Nettie said, her back pressed against Maureen’s headboard.
A chorus of agreements and the nodding of heads accompanied by a few groans came from all the women.
“It makes perfect sense to me.” Betsy massaged her temple.
“I’m not sure why it took us so long to reach this conclusion.” Donna lay crosswise on the bed with her head propped on her hand, but her head kept slipping off. “Stop moving the bed.”
“The bed is fine. It’s the ceiling.” Ophelia, on her back near Donna, squinted up at the gathered silk fabric of the canopied bed.
“I’m going to live my own life,” Maureen said. Her words of conviction might have sounded stronger if she hadn’t hiccupped in the middle.
“Damn straight,” Traci slurred. “If Ryan can have a woman in his bed, there is no reason why you can’t have a man in yours.”
“Well said, and gracious, I might add.” Nettie, the soberest of the women, added, “Especially considering you’re the woman.” When there was no comment, Nettie leaned around Maureen to look at Traci, who was lying on the other side. Her eyes were closed, her lips slightly parted in sleep. In fact, most of the other women were sleeping.
Folding her linked hands over her stomach, Nettie closed her eyes. It wouldn’t be the first time nor the last that they’d stayed over. Although she couldn’t remember if they’d ever all slept in the same bed.
C h a p t e r
17
Ryan couldn’t believe his eyes.
He’d come over early to his mother’s house because he had become increasingly worried about her. And to save his thumb. He’d accessed his cell phone address book so many times, it was sore. He stared at the women, their eyes red, their hair barely combed, their clothes rumpled as if they’d slept in them, each clutching a cup of coffee.
“You’re all hungover.”
To a woman, they shuddered, put down their cups, and covered their ears. He was instantly contrite and concerned. They liked their wine, had even organized a trip to the wineries in Napa Valley, but they had never drunk to this point. At least as far as he knew.
He went to his mother, purposefully keeping his steps soft on the tile floor. His voice was soft when he spoke. “Mother.”
She slowly opened one bloodshot eye, then the other. Her breath smelled of spearmint mouthwash. He smoothed the spiked hair on top of her head. “Are you all right?”
“No thanks to you,” Traci snapped.
Ryan tensed and slowly turned to see her coming inside through the back kitchen door. She had on a snappy black suit that fit her lush body perfectly. He knew every luscious hidden curve and planned to get her out of the outfit before the day was over.
Unlike the others, Traci’s shoulder-length hair was neatly combed, but the sunglasses at nine in the morning gave her away. Her eyes probably matched the others in the room.
Her unfair and harsh words loosened the tongues of the other women. They weren’t shy about letting him have it.
“You should be ashamed of yourself, Ryan,” Nettie admonished.
“Never thought you were selfish,” Donna snarled, then winced and gulped coffee.
“Your mother deserves happiness,” Ophelia barked.
“Shame on you.” Betsy poked him in the chest.
“Yeah,” Traci cried. “You have double standards.”
Ryan felt his face heat. They all knew he and Traci were sleeping together, but it wasn’t the same as having it discussed in the open.
“Traci,” he cautioned, tugging at his suddenly too tight tie.
“Don’t you Traci me, Ryan Gilmore.” She advanced on him and took over Betsy’s job of digging a hole in his chest. “You were wrong.”
“I won’t—”
“It’s not your decision to make.” Traci talked over him. Thankfully, she’d stopped poking him and put her hands on her hips. “Until you come to your senses and apologize, you’re on lockdown.”
If his face was flushed before, it was fiery red now. “Traci …”
She flung up her hand dismissively in the air and went to Maureen. “Be strong. I have an appointment or I’d stay and watch you chew a hole in him.” She hugged Maureen, then marched past him without a look.
“Ryan,” his mother called as he started after Traci.
He was torn as to which woman to go to. The back kitchen door closed, making the decision for him. “Yes, Mother.”
“I love you, but you don’t run my life. I’m seeing Simon, and there’s nothing you can do about it.” She folded her arms.
“Nothing,” the other women repeated and went to stand beside Maureen in a show of strength.
That’s what you think, he thought. Kissing her on the cheek, he left. If Maureen wouldn’t listen, Simon had better.
Maureen was grateful only one drum was left beating in her skull as she walked down the street toward Forever Yours.
Her fault, and she was paying the price. But at least she knew what she wanted: Simon. Just reminding herself of that fact caused her to smile. Ryan would just have to accept it. The smile faded. She didn’t want dating Simon to drive a wedge between her and her son. She just hoped that he’d eventually see that Simon was a good man.
Rounding the corner to her shop, she abruptly halted. Jason and Miguel were standing in front of her store. After the way Miguel had teased Jason, she wouldn’t have thought they would be friendly. She couldn’t hear what they were saying, but their body language and angry hand gestures were enough.
Despite her headache, she increased her pace. Several feet from them, she called his name. “Jason.”
Both boys whirled. Miguel said something she couldn’t hear and hurried away.
“Jason,” Maureen said, staring after the other boy. “Are you all right?”
He shrugged his thin shoulders. “Sure.”
“It looked like you two were arguing.”
“Just stuff.” He frowned at her. “You all right today?”
“Fine, thank you.” Unlocking the door, she let him inside. “How did things go yesterday? Did Avery come by?” The sudden smile on Jason’
s face said she had.
“Yes.”
“She’s a wonderful young woman and smart. And pretty,” Maureen said.
“Yeah,” he agreed, grinning for all he was worth.
For once Jason didn’t tuck his head or stick his hands into his pockets. Maureen continued to the back. The right person could do wonders for a person’s morale. Just as Simon continued to do for her.
Ryan had a plan.
His mother wouldn’t dare contact Simon until she was less shaky on her feet and her eyes were clear. There was no way she would want Simon to see her until she was at her best.
Ryan was counting on her waiting until after the store closed at 6:00 to call and probably invite Simon to her house. Ryan planned to nix Simon accepting that invitation. By 5:30, Ryan was knocking on Simon’s door. If his mother wouldn’t listen, then he intended to ensure that Simon would.
The door swung open. Simon filled the doorway. His face hard, he had on black jeans and a black polo shirt that delineated hard muscles. He had a dangerous look about him that probably drew women like shavings to a magnet. Ryan vowed that he would not let his mother be one of them any longer.
“What do you want?” Simon practically snarled.
“One guess.” Ryan brushed past him to enter the condo.
Simon shoved the door shut. “Make it fast.”
“Stay away from my mother,” Ryan told him.
“You know what you can do with that advice.” Simon headed to another room.
Ryan caught his arm as he passed, felt Simon’s muscles flex. “I’m talking to you.”
“Not for long if you don’t remove your hand,” Simon threatened.
“Stay away from my mother,” Ryan repeated.
“Two seconds,” Simon said.
“You probably can take me but, if you hurt my mother, I’ll keep coming back again and again,” Ryan promised. He wasn’t backing down on this.
The hardness vanished from Simon’s face so quickly that Ryan’s fingers uncurled. “Hurt her? I’d walk through fire before I’d do that. You did that all by yourself.”
It was too close to what Traci had said. “I love my mother. This is for her own good.”
Simon propped his hands on his hips. “That’s a pile of crap. You don’t want to think of your mother having a relationship.”
“We aren’t going there,” Ryan hastily told him.
Simon threw his hands in the air, walked away, then walked back. “Maureen is an intelligent, wonderful woman. I wanted to ask her out the first time I saw her. She turned me down. Kept turning me down. I kept asking.”
It was as Ryan had expected. “You should have taken the ‘no’ and walked away. She was probably feeling vulnerable because her sixtieth birthday is coming up.”
“The only one who keeps harping on her age is you!” Simon yelled. “I can count. I knew how old she probably was, and it didn’t make one bit of difference. She’s caring, beautiful, vibrant, fun to be with.”
“Maybe for now, but then you’ll move on to a younger woman,” Ryan retorted. Yet, even as he said the words, they bothered him as if he were being disloyal to his mother.
“Why would I want another woman when I have Maureen?” Simon snapped. “I just told you how much trouble I had trying to get her to go out with me. I had just gotten her not to worry about those hot flash—” Simon snapped his mouth shut.
Stunned, Ryan stared at Simon. Ryan had seen his mother fanning herself lately, the sudden flush of her skin, and figured she was having hot flashes. He hadn’t mentioned them because he hadn’t wanted to embarrass her. His patients her age discussed the problem with his nurse instead of him.
“You discussed her hot flashes?”
“What Maureen and I discuss is none of your business.” Simon went to the door and opened it. “This conversation is over.”
Ryan didn’t move. Instead, he studied the man he’d been proud to call his frat brother and friend until yesterday morning. Simon had distinguished himself in the police force that had almost killed his younger brother, and had several community service awards for working with youth and the elderly. Users didn’t go out of their way to help others, unless there was something in it for them.
“Perhaps I was a bit hasty,” Ryan said.
“You think?” Simon’s voice seethed with sarcasm.
The unrelenting stare convinced Ryan further. “All right. I apologize. Mother had never looked at another man since we lost Dad. I guess I didn’t think she ever would.”
Simon swung the door closed. “She loved him with all she had.”
“I probably shouldn’t ask, but I have to know, how do you feel about that?”
“He made her happy, then made sure she’d remain that way once he was gone,” Simon answered. “I’m not in competition with him.”
Ryan couldn’t hide his surprise. “You must have talked a lot.”
“We did. I respect and admire Maureen a great deal. She’s not just about herself.”
Ryan folded his arms. “Was that last bit a dig at me?”
“If the shoe fits.” Simon went to the sofa and picked up a basketball on the floor. “Are we straight?”
“Yeah.”
“Good.” Simon shot the basketball to him.
Ryan grunted as he caught the fast ball. He eyed Simon. He’d done that on purpose.
Simon picked up his gym bag. “Want to follow me over to the Y and help me coach the team? The head coach can’t make it. It’s his daughter’s birthday.”
“Sure.” Ryan accepted the offered olive branch. Besides, he’d once been pretty good on the basketball court. If he couldn’t beat Simon one way, he’d beat him another way.
It was time.
Maureen had alternated using ice packs and cucumbers on her eyes when possible all day until the redness and puffiness were gone. Once home she’d put on a fitted ice-blue dress she’d purchased during a lull at the store, and then she’d called Simon. The call had gone into voice mail at his home and on his cell.
“He’s not answering.” Maureen hung up the phone on the side table in the great room and sat back in the sofa.
“He’ll get one of the messages and call you back,” Traci assured her from her seat across from Maureen.
Maureen nibbled on her lip. “I might have gotten dressed for nothing.”
“Not a chance. As soon as he shows up, I’m history.”
Before she could answer, the doorbell rang. Traci grinned at her. “My cue to leave.”
Maureen’s heart thumped as she came to her feet. “It could be Ryan.”
Traci stood with her. “You know as well as I do that lately Ryan has been using his key. Besides, he knows we’re upset with him.”
“You know you didn’t have to do that.” Maureen moved to the door with Traci close behind.
“Of course I did. He needs to learn to let you live your own life.” Traci screwed up her face. “Although I really miss him.”
Maureen’s heels clicked on the marble tile in the foyer. “If this is Simon, you could call Ryan and put both of you out of your misery.”
Traci shook her head. “No. It’s a matter of principle, and it’s the right thing to do.”
Maureen leaned over to peer through the peephole, blinked, then leaned over again. “I don’t believe it.”
“What?” Traci asked.
“Take a look for yourself,” Maureen advised.
Traci planted her hands on the door and lifted herself up on her tiptoes. “Looks like we’ll both be smiling later tonight.”
Maureen giggled. “You are so bad.”
Traci palmed her face. “I can’t believe I said that.”
“You notice I didn’t disagree.” The chime came again. “I guess we’d better let them in.” She opened the door and stepped aside. Both men looked handsome in sports coats and white shirts. “I’m glad you two worked things out.”
“I want you to be happy.” Ryan came inside with Simon close behind
.
“Hello, Maureen.” Simon’s gaze swept her in one encompassing sweep. “You look breathtaking.”
Ryan frowned. Traci elbowed him. “What?” he mouthed.
“Thank you.” Maureen closed the door, glanced at Simon, then away.
“I was about to leave.” Traci hooked her arm through Ryan’s. “Walk me home.”
“Only if you need to get your purse or something.” Ryan looked at his mother. “If you ladies are in agreement, Simon and I would like to take you out to dinner.”
“You mean like a double date?” Traci asked, grinning broadly.
A pained look crossed Ryan’s face. “In a matter of speaking.”
“Maureen and I accept.” Traci dragged Ryan to the door. “We’ll be back in a jiff.”
Outside, Ryan looked back at the door. “I hope this is the right thing to do.”
“It is.” Traci curved her arms around his neck, pressed her body to his. “I’m proud of you.”
He let his forehead rest against hers. “Don’t paint any medals on me yet. For a crazy moment, when Simon was looking at Mother and she was looking at him, I wanted to punch him and make her go to her room.”
“Then I’ll just have to give you something else to think about.” She pulled his head down, pressing her lips against his, thrusting her tongue into his hot mouth, her pelvis against the junction of his thighs.
He groaned. One hand palmed her hips, holding her to him, the other swept up and down the smooth curve of her back. A long while later they broke apart, breathing heavily.
“Let’s go get what you need so we can eat and go back to your place,” he rasped.
“I didn’t need anything,” she confessed. “I thought they deserved some time alone just as we did.”
Ryan’s head snapped around to the door. Hanging his head, he closed his eyes for a moment. “Too much information.”
Traci thought his protectiveness was sweet, now that it wasn’t excessive. “They’re probably just talking.”
Ryan didn’t look as if he believed her. Traci smiled innocently. Simon probably had Maureen in a lip lock before the door closed. Looks like both men were off lockdown.
