Forrest — Chapter 16 Mama Knows Best

FORREST

I GRUNTED throatily. “If I break her heart, you will what?” I faced Xandry who was grinning like a bumbling idiot. I actually admired him because he changed a lot, took responsibility for taking care of his kid Sammer, and stopped manwhoring since he met Blaine. “Punch me? Let someone castrate my balls or cut my dick off and feed it to the dog? Go ahead and tell me. And I am not a goddamn pussy-whipped!” It was pointless, and I knew exactly what he wanted to say.

“But you never denied that you’re not into her, are you?”

I leaned against the wall and crossed my arms over my chest. My chest was heaving. “Would you believe me?”

“Nope.”

“Then you got my answer. Find someone to piss off tonight, Williams. I’m done with you and Hughes.”

“Blaine would be glad to hear this. They will meet this weekend, and I can’t wait to tell her this wonderful news tonight. Pyke is probably calling Cam right now, and I am sure she will tell Bianca about their best friend is with enigmatic Wood, right, man?” He slapped my arm playfully, waggling his brows.

“Fuck off, Williams!” I escaped, and he just laughed it out loud.

“Now I get the reason why you never had any woman with you. So proud of you, man!”

Damnit!

I’d never been disturbed with something that was seemed uncomplicated, yet here I was, sighing constantly in my car. After I pulled out from the driveway, I dialed a number on my speed dial and connected it to the speaker.

“Is everything okay, darling?”

I closed my eyes to hear her sweet voice. “I am now, Mama.”

“You don’t sound okay though. Do you wanna talk about it?” Her worried voice made me a complete asshole. That was the last thing I wanted her to feel, but I didn’t even know why I was calling in the first place. I missed her, that was for sure. And at this moment, I needed her so badly that I had to reach out via phone call.

I chucked. “You sound like my therapist, Mama. I just wanna hear your voice.”

“You don’t do that, darling.” She was right. We met somewhere when I missed her, and she knew now that something was troubling me.

“I know. Sorry to call you at this time.”

“You know it’s already morning here. Let me guess, you just went out of your job. Why don’t you—”

“Mama, how many times we talked about this. I love what I do.”

“Okay, son. This is what we agreed with Alan, I get it. Forget that I ever mentioned. Now tell me if I have to pack and ready my dress.”

I laughed out loud in my car. She’d been nagging me with questions if when I was going to bring my girlfriend home or invite her for my wedding. “You know, I’m not dating anyone at this moment and I certainly don’t have a bride, Mama.”

The traffic light turned red.

“Then find one.” My mind shifted to the image of Megan. There was no way she thought about settling down. She seemed not a type of woman who dreamed of a picket fence, a pet dog, and taking care of kids. I had it bad.

“I will pay for someone to marry me. How about that?”

“Don’t joke like that with me, young lad.”

“So, You mean I’m still young to get married, huh?” I drove off the moment the traffic light turned green. Mama always made me relax. I could feel the weight had been lifted off of my chest just by talking with her.

“Forrest, don’t change the subject.”

“I am actually calling to tell you that I am not sure if I can travel this month. Something came up that needed my attention, and I’m gonna be busy with the project I am working on with Lioner as well. Just tell your assistant to reach out to me when you need my opinion, okay? I’ll make it up to you next month, I promise.” I hoped my reason was pretty convincing.

“I know you’ve been traveling a lot lately, Forrest. I mean it, stop chasing a storm before you get in deep trouble.” The picture Alan showed me last week crossed my mind and had me tense. I couldn’t let her worry about me. That was why I had to do it discreetly.

“I told you, Mama, to stop worrying about me. I can take care of myself.”

“So how’s Alan?”

“You worry too much. As always, he’s stronger than a horse.”

“Now tell me about the girl that’s bothering you?”

My heart skipped a beat. “What girl?”

“I am your mother. I remember you were this troubled when you were ten, and you admitted that.” The smile on her voice was palpable. My mother had moved on and never been bothered talking about the past. I, on the other hand, was still searching for the truth behind her back.

“Fine. I did, but that was ages ago.”

“Do you like someone, darling?” Her question froze me in my seat.

“I don’t know.”

“I do know though, and I am glad you find something to make yourself busy with another woman than taking care of your old mama. I’m good, Forrest. You don’t have to check out on me every now and then. I will call you when I’m not feeling well. You have my word on that.”

“We are not talking about this again. You can’t stop me from worrying when it comes to you. You are my mother, and it’s my responsibility as a son to take care of you until I can’t anymore.”

“Responsibility my arse, lad. I am your mother. Don’t turn the table because you’ve grown up into a gigantic pain in the arse.”

“Jesus. I’m a pain in the bum?” I laughed my ass out loud. She thought she was trouble for me. It was always like this, but I didn’t think I could live a life without checking up on her knowing she was a hundred miles away from me. “I have to go, Mama. I know you still love me even I’m a gigantic pain in the bum. I love you.” I got out of my car.

“Get a life, Forrest. It’s time for you to ask this woman out before it’s too late. I love you, my baby boy.”

Then something had my gut twisted. I didn’t realize I was standing in front of Megan’s apartment building.