AllFreeNovel
Share Us
The house feels the same as it always has, though it has gone through a recent renovation. One wall has been completely removed, opening up the living room and kitchen. It’s been beautifully redecorated with pops of color everywhere. There are a few new plants since the last time I was here too, and it adds a certain freshness to the entire place.
My mom's catering business has offices all over California, but she runs it from Tahoe. I know she’s done a fantastic job with it, and judging by the new Jeep in her driveway and the renovations to the house, I know it must be thriving.
“Dylan was just saying he’ll come by for dinner tomorrow,” my mom says, gushing a bit. There’s no time my mom is happier than when her boys are home. A fresh wave of guilt hits me when I realize it’s been years since I’ve made a trip to see her.
“Yep, and I’m bringing some of that wine you love, ma” Dylan says. Okay, now he’s just showing off.
“The one from the resort? That will be perfect with the meatloaf,” mom says. She’s stepping away from me now, content to speak with her new favorite son since he’s promised her expensive alcohol.
"And beer!" I yell after her.
But Dylan's laughter booms out. He’s always had that kind of explosive laugh. I love hearing it.
“You want me to buy you beer?” he asks, a mischievous lit to his voice. Mom turns the phone so I can see his face again.
“I mean, as long as it's not that fancy crap you get for Jarred.” My other brother, Jarred, is still in the Army. Flitting from deployment to deployment and checking in while he can. But it’s been ages since I’ve actually seen him and suddenly, I wish all three of us were here. Living in Costa Rica makes visits few and far between. Now that I’m home, all the feelings have rushed back. Sneaking out with my brothers to go to parties, Dylan buying me beer and making me swear not to ever tell our mom. It's been too long since we’ve been together. Maybe I’m too busy to realize it while I’m away, but I’ve missed my family.
“Right, surf bums only drink cheap beer and tequila, am I right? Or is that only successful surfers?” Dylan says, and I have to admit, that stings a little since my wins haven’t been all that frequent.
I think my mom sees the slight frown at his words, and she flips the phone back around. "Enough, you two. We'll see you tomorrow, Dylan. Love you, baby." My mom's endearing term for each of her sons has always been a constant, despite our mild protests and eye-rolling. Dylan bids her goodbye, and she sets the phone on the breakfast bar beside me.
Shaking off the insult, which I know he didn’t really mean, I rest my arms on the cool, white quartz countertops while mom busies herself in the kitchen. "Hungry, baby? I've got some salami and brie," she offers, already setting plates on the counter before I can even respond.
As we enjoy the snack together, she studies me with curious eyes. I realize she keeps looking at my forehead. “Alright, who blabbed?” I ask.
She smiles while popping another slice of meat into her mouth. “Who do you think?”
Dylan, of course, the asshole. Revealing the stitched wound under my beanie, I play it down, “Just a little scratch.” Mom winces, concern coloring her face. "Ouch. Does it hurt much?"
I shake my head, trying to downplay the injury. "No, just annoying. Had to drop out of the tournament in Florida because of it."
She pats my arm. "You'll catch the next one." Her optimism, a trait I've come to admire deeply, especially since her divorce a decade ago. It's like she blossomed afterward, turning her catering business into a flourishing empire, yet remaining so grounded. The trust fund she established for me has been my lifeline, allowing me a life of leisure and passion for surfing, though I seldom speak of it to anyone. It’s not exactly common for a surfer to be sitting on half a million dollars, and if others knew, they might outcast me on principle alone.
Out of nowhere, she asks, "Tell me something new. Your eyes are brighter. There's a girl, isn't there?"
I can't suppress the eye roll, even as a smirk plays on my lips. But she leans in, not deterred by my feigned annoyance. "Am I wrong? Maybe not a girl?"
Her teasing has me laughing. "Ma, for the last time, I'm not gay." Her theory, that out of her three sons, at least one would be gay, has always amused me, and while I appreciate her open-heartedness, it's just not my story.
"Maybe you realized late? It’s not unheard of.”
I shoot back playfully, "Are you trying to tell me something?"
"No, baby. But you're not fooling me. It's obvious you're smitten with someone." Caught off guard, I glance down, feeling a blush creep up my neck.
"Ah ha! See, I knew it. Who is she?" Mom's still staring at me as I absentmindedly fiddle with a cracker on the plate.
"Her name is Tilly, but it's complicated. She's... stubborn. I’ve known her for a long time, and we’re just now kind of exploring dating.” I can see that she’s about to burst, so I give her a warning look. “Possibly, ma. Nothing’s for sure when it comes to Tilly.”
Mom's nodding along. "Nothing wrong with a woman playing hard to get. You just go and flutter those long lashes at her. Those eyes of yours are irresistible. Your dad had the same effect on me with those baby blues... and a few other tricks I probably shouldn't share with my son."
I nearly choke on my snack. "Ma!"
She's holding up her hands, fully aware of her oversharing. "I know, I know, highly inappropriate. So, when do you see this Tilly next?"
"Tonight. She's here in Tahoe." I omit the part about her being unaware of my presence and how she might hurt me once she finds out. As if being summoned, my phone dings in my pocket. I pull it out, and when I see what it is, I have to swallow hard. A picture of Tilly in some sort of gorgeous and yeah, somewhat slutty, dress. Holy fuck! Is my tongue hanging out? Am I drooling?
A sudden squeal from my mother has me lifting my gaze. “That’s her, isn’t it?”
