Page 51 of Rumor Has It

Chapter 11

Boone

“Hey, Dad, hang on.” I jog around, reaching for his hand. “Let me help you.”

Standing from the car, he sways before getting control. “Son, I hate you’re having to wait on me like a child.”

“Not a problem, Dad. I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

“Let me get the door for you two.” Mom hurries ahead, swinging the door wide, while I give Dad plenty of time and room get inside.

Once inside, we get him settled and comfortable. Mom helps him with his medicine while I answer emails, hoping to finalize the contract details with Pacific Pictures.

“I can’t say I’m not enjoying this picture.” Mom interrupts my train of thought.

“What’s that?” I peek up at her as I hit send on the email for Tina.

She steps through the door, taking the chair closest to her. “You, working at your father’s desk. It looks good on you.”

“Wasn’t it supposed to?” I glance at her, sifting through the rest of my correspondence.

A slight movement draws my attention, and I look up to find her on the edge of her seat. “Wasn’t what supposed to, Boone?”

“This job, his legacy.”

Her worry lines deepen. “You think we expected you to take over your father’s business, that we planned it?”

“Didn’t you?” I close the laptop, confused. “I always assumed it was what you both wanted.”

“We had hoped that you would, but it was never presumed.” She folds her hands with a tilt of her head, just like when I was younger and thought I had come up with the decision, instead of her.

I lean back, hoping to play it cool and feel her out. “Mom, I’m an adult; just say what you want.”

“Alright…” She squares off with me, her brow cocked. I may have not thought this through. “You’ve been an amazing son, all we could ever hope and dream for, but we’d be fools to not see you’re not happy.”

I shift in my seat. “I’m happy. Things are going great in California.”

“I have no doubt they are; it’s what you do.” She locks eyes with me. “Or what you do now.”

I slip my hands into my lap. “I’m not following.” There you go, steer the subject and keep her at bay. There’s no way she can know anything, so play dumb.

“So, what? Now you’re playing dumb?” She giggles. “Boone, one day everything is going to come to a head, and you’re going to have to face your life.”

“Mom, I’m not sure what’s going on, but I promise you, I’m good.” I stand, rounding the desk beside her. I kneel, taking her hand in mine. “I love you, and I appreciate your concern, but I really am doing good.”

She lays her hand over mine, hesitating before going on. “Alright, son.”

“Was there something else?”

“No, that was it… ” She presses her mouth into a thin line. “For now.”

I rub my face, fidgeting as I stand. “Why don’t we order dinner? Dad will probably want to stay in bed, but we can enjoy it together.”

“The menus are in the kitchen.” She stands, wondering through the house with me trailing behind. Suddenly, I feel like a little boy who just got caught with his hand in the cookie jar.

“What are you in the mood for?” I join her, combing through the drawer. “Or I can cook.”

Her brows raise. “Excuse me, did you say you can cook?”