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Trevor
Six weeks later…
“Is Cakes coming home for Christmas?”Cliff asks as we walk into the jewelry store with my mama.
She’s looking for a gift for Ann for Christmas. I can’t believe how tall she and Brad have gotten in the few months I’ve been away. I’ll be happy to be back home soon.
I can’t believe my little brother and sister are headed to junior high next year. My parents are sending Brad to football camp for the summer and they got him a quarterback coach as his Christmas gift. I know he’s going to love that.
“Agatha said she came in this morning. Olivia Billings picked the kids up from the airport,” my mother says before I can answer.
“As in Cody Billings’s mother?” I ask with narrowed eyes.
“You know any other Olivia Billings?” she says with a lifted brow.
“No.”
“Well, they flew in together. I think it’s nice Cakes has friends in New York. I don’t think she’s been adjusting well from what Agatha and Darla say.”
“She got the deal though, didn’t she?”
“She sure did. They’ve just been stalling or something. She’s been a bit down about that.”
“How do you know all of this?”
“Trevor Paul Monroe, bless your heart. Do I or the Galveston women look like we’re going to stop talking to each other over two grown-behind men squabbling? We talk about you kids all the time.”
“Isn’t that Cody over there?” Cliff says, pointing with his chin.
I look over at the counter to see the clerk placing a jewelry box in a bag for Cody. She then hands it over. “Good luck. She’ll love your choice. Stop fretting, sugar,” the clerk says and winks at him.
“Thanks for all your help,” he says.
When he turns to leave and spots me, he stops in his tracks. I fold my arms across my chest. I have a million questions.
Why the fuck did he and Lynn fly in together? Is that why she hasn’t called me once since she’s been in New York? My stomach begins to feel sour.
Cliff was right. I should’ve sucked it up and called her by now. We left things so up in the air. With Uncle Travis’s death, I didn’t get to fix things before heading back to school.
“Um, hey, Cliff. Hey, Trevor. You guys doing some Christmas shopping?”
“No, we’re looking for Halloween costumes,” I grumble.
“Uh, right.”
“How are you doing, Cody?” My mama says warmly as she glares at me.
“I’m fine, ma’am. Been busy with work and all.”
“Oh, yes. I heard you were offered a permanent position with your internship. That’s so wonderful.”
“Yes, ma’am, it is. I’m excited. I didn’t know about staying in New York, but I’m glad I decided to take the job. I see the potential to grow with the company. My boss has been giving me so much responsibility I didn’t have as an intern.”
“That’s great. It looks like you’re happy and flourishing. You don’t forget us little old country folks while you’re off doing big things,” my mama chortles.
“I won’t, ma’am. I’ll never forget where I’m from. It’s been a slice of home that’s grounded me in New York.”
I growl. I actually release a growl. Cody blanches and takes a step back.
