Cougar

by M. A. Foster

  I snort a laugh. “Marcus was happy that I had someone in my life besides him who I could trust.”

  Bass comes back to the table without Jay and plops down in his chair.

  “Where’s Jay?”

  “Outside talking to Romeo,” he grumbles.

  “Who’s Romeo?” Lisa asks.

  “The quarterback.” He waves carelessly.

  “Zach?”

  “Yeah. That’s what I said.”

  I laugh out loud. “Bass, are you jealous?”

  He shrugs. “Yeah.”

  Jay returns to the table and hands Bass her keys. She lifts her face to meet my gaze, and I notice her eyes are red and her face is flushed. “Zach’s gonna drive me home so we can talk. Will one of you bring my car home?”

  “Have you been crying?” I ask.

  “Yes”—she immediately looks down at Bass—“but it’s not because of Zach.” She returns her attention to me. “I promise I’ll explain everything to you later.”

  “You better,” Bass huffs.

  I don’t know. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

  “Mom, I’m fine. Please trust me.”

  I trust her implicitly. “Okay.” I point at her. “But you better tell me everything, Jay.”

  Emerson

  It’s after midnight by the time I pull Jay’s Range Rover into the garage. Bass drove Lisa home after too many margaritas, and by the way they were flirting with each other, I doubt he’s coming home tonight. Good for him. Good for her, too.

  After a quick shower, I throw on a pair of yoga pants and a tank before making my way up to Jay’s room.

  It’s illuminated by the soft light coming from her bedside lamps as she’s curled up under the blankets, reading on her iPad.

  “What are you reading?” I ask as I lift the covers and slide in next to her. I roll to my side, facing her, and tuck my hands under my cheek.

  “It’s called Emerge. It’s the first book from one of Lexi’s all-time favorite series. I just started it an hour ago, but I’m loving it. If I didn’t have plans with Zach tomorrow, I’d stay up all night to finish it.”

  “That good, huh?”

  “That good.” She closes the cover on her iPad, then slides it onto her nightstand before rolling to her side and tucking her hands under her cheek, mirroring my position. “How was your night?” she asks.

  I smile. “It was nice. Alex and Dylan played for about an hour, and Max even came over to our table and had a drink with us.” I don’t tell her how seeing Alex on stage tonight reminded me of Marcus.

  She snorts. “I’m glad you two are getting along.”

  I roll my eyes. “Max and I get along fine as long as he’s not shoving his opinions down my throat. I don’t tell people how to live their life, and no one is going to dictate how I live mine.”

  “Word.” She smiles, then lets out a screech when I touch her with my cold feet. “Keep your cold, freakishly tiny feet to yourself, lady.” She settles back in her spot and stares at me briefly before saying, “I feel like it’s been forever since we’ve done this.”

  “Done what?”

  “Just… hanging out.”

  “Most teenagers probably wouldn’t think it’s cool to hang out with their moms.”

  She scoffs. “Well we both know I’m not most teenagers, and I’d rather hang out with you than most of my classmates.”

  I frown as I slip into protective mother mode. “Is someone giving you a hard time?”

  “Not really.” She sighs.

  “Are you gonna tell me what happened tonight?”

  “It’s a long story, and you’re not going to like it, but I feel bad keeping things from you.” Her words are like a kick to my soul. Guilt swims in the pit of my stomach.

  “I appreciate that, but I know it’s because you’re probably protecting my feelings.”

  “Something like that.” She sighs, then squeezes her eyes shut. “Zach and I had sex in St. Thomas last year.”

  I suck in a breath through my nose and hold it. My brain is spinning and there are so many things I want to say. Yet, she’s trusting me so I keep my mouth shut.

  After a moment, she opens her eyes. “You’re freaking out. I can tell.”

  “I’m processing.” And wishing I had one of Alex’s special cigarettes right now.

  “It’s okay if you are. I understand. You’re my mom, and I know sex is a big deal. It’s like you want to know but you don’t.”

  I nod once. “Exactly.”

  “Then I’ll spare you the details.”

  “I would appreciate that—although I have to ask. Did you use protection?”

  Against Marcus’s protests, I put Jay on birth control when she was fifteen. I wasn’t giving her permission to have sex, but she was developing so fast and clearly, it was the right thing to do.

  “Of course. Mom, I promise you it wasn’t a decision I made lightly.”

  I blow out a breath of relief. “Okay. One other question and then I’ll let you continue.”

  “What?”

  “Have you had sex with anyone else?”

  A few months ago, Jay had been spending time with one of Lucas’s bandmates, Ace Matthews. Although it seemed they were just friends, I can’t help but wonder if there was more to their friendship.

  Her brows furrow and her face twists in disgust. “No way. I love Zach. He’s the only one I’ve ever wanted to be with, both then and now. But I knew we couldn’t be together right away. He lived here, and we lived in California. And Daddy was sick. Anyway, the night I got back from St. Thomas, Zach had called while I was in the shower. I noticed there were two voicemails from him. The first must’ve come in while I was talking to you and Daddy right after I got home because his message said he was checking to see if I’d made it home okay and wanted to know if I’d come visit him for Labor Day.”

  “Okay,” I drawl. “Then what happened?”

  “The second message happened.” She grimaces. “It wasn’t exactly a message. He pocket-dialed me and my phone recorded him making out with a girl.”

  My heart shatters into a million pieces. “Oh, Jay.”

  “I remembered what you’ve always said. Things aren’t always what they seem. So I called him and a girl answered. She told me Zach was her boyfriend and that he told her all about me. And that we hooked up.”

  “Did you believe her?”

  She shrugs. “Not completely but then she called me a skank. I was pissed off and hurt. So I blocked his number. Then Daddy got really sick so….”

  I reach over and brush her hair from her face. “Honey, I’m so sorry. I want to say that I wish you would’ve come to me, but I understand why you didn’t. I believe you that losing your virginity to Zach wasn’t an easy decision, but you’re so young. When you add sex to a relationship, it just makes things more intense. Emotions run deep and things become so much more complicated.”

  “Everyone is having sex,” she admits with a snicker. “Some are having it with more than one person.”

  “That’s not an option for you,” I warn. “So did you and Zach work things out?”

  “We did. Zach said she lied to me. She wasn’t his girlfriend at the time, but they did end up dating for a while until she cheated on him and he broke up with her.”

  “Jesus, that’s a lot of drama for one girl to cause. She goes to your school?”

  “Yes.” She rolls her eyes. “Her name is Reagan, and she’s a cheerleader.”

  “My advice is to stay away from her. You don’t need that kind of drama in your life. You’re supposed to be enjoying your senior year of high school doing all the fun stuff, not fighting over Zach.”

  She smirks. “She’s not even on my radar, and there’s no fight. Zach is mine. Always has been and always will be.”

  Well, okay then.

  Bass strolls into the kitchen still dressed in his clothes from the night before and heads straight for the coffee.

  “Good morning,” I singsong, eyei
ng him over the rim of my cup and hiding my grin. “Did you have a nice night?”

  Turning to face me, he leans with his backside against the counter and crosses his arms over his chest while he waits for his coffee to brew. “I think I’m in love.”

  I raise my brows. “Love or lust.”

  “Definitely lust, but I think maybe a little love, too. Is that even possible?”

  I laugh and raise my hand. “Hello? I eloped with a rock star after a week.”

  Bass chuckles as he turns to grab his coffee before he sits next to me.

  “You know, B. Sometimes—no, that’s not right. Most of the time, I feel guilty that you’ve devoted your whole life to my family. What about your family?”

  “You are my family.”

  “I know that, but what about your other family.”

  “Sharing DNA with someone makes them a relative, it doesn’t make them family. My grandmother was the only family I had as far as I’m concerned.”

  “What about your mother? You’ve never mentioned her.”

  “She’s not worth mentioning. My grandmother raised me. She was a good woman who worked two jobs to put a roof over our heads and food on the table. The rest went toward my football fees. In return, I stayed outta trouble, focused on my grades and earned a scholarship to UCLA.”

  “Haven’t you ever wanted to get married and start a family of your own?”

  “Woman, stop. I’m happy with my life the way it is. I wouldn’t trade a second with my princess for anything.”

  “Okay.” I pause. “So are you going to see Lisa again?”

  He wiggles his brows. “I certainly hope so. That woman is fire.”

  “Good morning,” Grace chirps as she breezes into the kitchen and over to the coffeepot.

  “Good morning, Grace. Bass got laid last night.”

  Bass chokes on his coffee as I throw my head back and laugh. Grace turns around and raises her brows at Bass.

  “Oh?” She grins. “Ms. Goldstein will be crushed.”

  Bass straightens on his stool as I turn to look over at him. “You had sex with Ms. Goldstein?” Grace’s eyes go wide and she turns her back to us.

  “When?” I ask.

  “Every Tuesday and Thursday for the last fifteen years.” He chuckles.

  “What? Oh my God, B.” I smack him on the arm. “She’s married.” To Howard Goldstein, one of Hollywood’s biggest movie producers.

  “To a man with one foot in the grave.”

  That, too. But still….

  “Grace had sex with Tony,” Bass adds.

  My mouth pops open as Grace spins around and pins Bass with a glare.

  “The landscaper?” I gasp. “He’s like twenty years old.”

  “Senior,” Grace clarifies. “I’m not a pervert.”

  “Oh my God,” Jay says with a laugh as she walks into the kitchen and leans against the counter beside Grace. “What did I just walk in on?”

  Grace passes Jay the cup of coffee she just brewed, then pops another pod into the Keurig.

  “Grace’s boyfriend,” I tease, and Grace shakes her finger at me.

  “Who Tony?” Jay grins as she brings the mug to her lips. Grace’s head whips to the side. “What?” Jay shrugs. “Sheltered kid here. I had nothing better to do.” She takes a sip of her coffee and winces. “Blah.” She sticks out her tongue before turning back to the counter to add more sugar and creamer.

  “Speaking of boyfriends,” I start, “don’t you have plans with Zach today?”

  “Crap.” She sets down her mug. “I need to get dressed.”

  Once Jay is out of the room, Bass asks me, “Did she tell you what happened last night?”

  I nod. “Yes. She and Zach had a misunderstanding, but they worked it out. She loves him, so we love him. Got it?”

  Bass shrugs. “He better not make my princess cry ever again.”

  Unfortunately, I think it’s inevitable.

  “Princess said to tell you she’ll be down in five minutes,” I hear Bass say as I head from the kitchen to the foyer.

  “And to not embarrass her,” I add.

  My gaze lands on the infamous Zach Easton in all his gorgeous glory. Tall, muscular, tan, sandy-blond hair and bright blue eyes. It’s like I’ve stepped back in time and I’m standing across from his father. He’s dressed in board shorts, a T-shirt and flip-flops.

  “Zach, it’s so great to finally meet you.” I don’t even bother with a handshake because, like I told Bass, my daughter loves him, so I love him. Instead, I extend my arms and he bends at the waist to accept my hug. Pulling back, I look up at him and smile, slowly shaking my head. “I can’t get over how much you look like your dad. I swear it was like déjà vu watching you out on the field last night. You played a good game.”

  “Thanks. I didn’t know you were there.” He rubs the back of his neck. He’s nervous.

  I look up at Bass’s hard expression as I say, “We were all there,” then return my attention to Zach. “Back in the day, the Mackenzies never missed a football game.”

  Bass steps closer to me and crosses his arms over his chest. I scoff and backhand him playfully across the stomach. “Would you cut it out? You knew this day was coming.” I turn back to Zach and roll my eyes. “Ignore him. He doesn’t play well with others.”

  Bass lets out a deep chuckle. “I play just fine.” He grins, raising a brow. “Just like a cat plays with a mouse before he devours it.”

  I throw my head back and laugh. He’s such a shit.

  “I heard that, B,” Jay says as she skips down the stairs wearing a pair of cutoff jean shorts, one of her infamous T-shirts that says “I have nothing to wear” and sandals. Her black hair is braided and draped over one shoulder. She lightly smacks Bass on the arm as she bypasses him on her way to Zach. Wrapping her arms around his waist, she stretches up on her toes and pecks him on the lips. “Hi, Z.”

  Ah. Young love.

  My heart melts.

  Bass growls, pretending to clear his throat, and I snort.

  Turning away from Zach to Bass, Jay props her hands on her hips. “You told me last night that you approved, so be nice.”

  “Fine.” Bass rolls his eyes, throwing his arms out to his sides. I pinch my lips together as the two of them have a silent conversation. Bass’s lips tip up slightly at the corners.

  “Grace, come meet Zach!” Grace hurries from the kitchen and lets out a soft gasp when her gaze lands on him. “Zach, this our amazing Grace.” She laughs. “Grace, this is my guy.”

  She reaches out and hugs him. “Sorry, Zach, we’re a bunch of huggers. There’s no such thing as personal space in this house.”

  “Speak for yourself, woman,” Bass bristles.

  “It’s so good to finally meet you,” Grace says before turning to Jay. “He’s so handsome.”

  “I told you.” Jay smiles up at Zach. “Let’s go, Z.” She turns, yanks open the door and hurries toward Zach’s Jeep.

  “Hey, Zach,” I call out, and he turns around. “Where are you taking her?”

  “To the beach just a couple of blocks from here.” He gestures in the general direction.

  I nod. “Okay. Have fun, and please make sure she keeps her phone nearby.”

  “Will do. It was nice to finally meet you, Emerson.”

  “You, too, Zach.” Shutting the door, I turn to find Bass standing there with his arms crossed and a pout on his face.

  “Oh stop. She’ll be fine.” I start for the kitchen but quickly spin around as something occurs to me. “She said you told her last night you approved. You talked to her?”

  Bass gives me a “come on” look. “She’d been crying” is his only explanation as he throws his arms out to the side before sidestepping me and heading back to the kitchen.

  “When did you talk to her?”

  He shrugs. “I texted her last night to make sure she was okay. She asked me what I thought of Romeo, and I told her I approve.”

  “So we’re stickin
g with this Romeo thing, huh?”

  “Did you not see that kid? He’s a fucking Romeo.”

  Jay plops down on the gray tufted velvet sofa and props her feet on the matching ottoman.

  “Hey,” I say as I turn away from the mirror. “How was your day with Zach?”

  I notice her cheeks are hot pink and I frown.

  Her eyes widen like a deer in headlights, which tells me she’s guilty of something. I don’t push because we already had the talk and I have to trust her. “What?”

  “Your face looks a little sunburned. Did you not wear sunscreen?”

  She shrugs. “I forgot.”

  “Jay, you have to wear sunscreen when you’re out in the sun. I’m serious.”

  “Okay, calm down, woman. What are you wearing to your dinner tonight?”

  I let out a defeated sigh because nothing fits right. “I have no idea.”

  She flicks her wrist. “Pick out a few outfits and try them on. I’ll tell you which one looks the best.”

  “Okay.” I fish through my closet and pull out a pair of jeans, an off-the-shoulder top and a pair of ankle boots, slipping them on before making my way over to the mirror.

  Jay shakes her head, brows pinched. I look down at the front of my outfit. “What’s wrong with it?”

  “It’s the jeans. I don’t like those jeans on you. They’re too baggy in the front.”

  “They’re supposed to be baggy. They’re boyfriend jeans.”

  “More like ‘your boyfriend’s jeans.’ Are you smuggling a wiener in there, woman?” She snorts a laugh prompting me to double over at the waist and laugh. “They should be called ‘boyfriend-repellant jeans.’” She continues, “I think it’s time to break up with the boyfriend jeans and find something that fits your body.”

  I catch my breath and swipe the tears from my face. “All right, fine.” I go back to grab a pair of skinny jeans. As I change, I hear the sound of my phone ringing.

  “Cam’s calling,” Jay calls out. “Want me to answer it?”

  “Yeah.”

  Cam

  “Cameron,” a sultry voice sings into the phone.