Three shows in, and somewhere in the Midwest I pick up my cell to call my mom. She’s important to me, the best woman I know, and I always feel a pang of guilt when we leave her alone during tours. The house is huge when Austin, Sean, and I are there, and I wish I had someone to stay with her. Family, even, but it’s always been just the two of us against the world. I know she doesn’t mind because she’s a selfless sort of person. She’s happy that I’m living my dream, and thankful for everything I provide.
“There’s my boy. I was hoping you’d call this week.”
“Hey, Mom. Sorry, I should’ve called last week.”
“Nonsense. You need to focus on the tour. How are things?”
“Good. Packed house every night. Crew is the best I’ve seen. Everything’s going perfect.” Including the sexy women who’ve warmed my bed for a few hours at each stop, but I don’t tell Mom that. She tolerates my love of women, but she worries I’ll never grow up and settle down. It’s a valid concern.
“And how’s Lexi holding up amongst you animals?”
“She’s fine. At least, I think she is from what I’ve seen.” We’ve managed not to cross paths often, which is easy to do since she’s riding on Big Betty. I see her at sound checks as she’s leaving and we’re coming in, and I always give her a cocky grin because she’ll roll those gorgeous eyes. But other than that we don’t see her much. I haven’t given much thought to her comfort during this gig. I hope she is okay. That bus is packed with our crew, and they’re not known for manners or social graces. They better keep their eyes and hands to themselves.
“Trenton William Donavan, I raised you better than that. Please keep an eye on that girl. I’ve seen you all on tour and I wouldn’t last a week! She’s tough and has had to take care of herself, I’m sure, but she also needs you in her corner.”
“I will, Mom. I promise. I didn’t think . . . but that’s what I have you for, right?” I grin into the phone and I’m sure she can hear it.
“Oh, dear Lord. One of these days you’re gonna have to live without me.”
“Sure, when you’re over a hundred and I’m in my eighties.”
I expect a laugh, some response, but instead I hear her whisper. Or maybe she moved the microphone from her mouth. Either way I don’t like the few words I catch. “I’ll just be a second . . . Can get back . . . You’re too much, Tony!”
“Who’s Tony, Mom? Are you on a date?”
“Sorry, Trent. I have to go. You caught me in the middle of something. Talk soon, baby!”
“Wait! Mom! Don’t—” hang up. But she already did. I stare at the phone, pissed and angry. Why did she rush me off the phone? Who the hell is Tony? Could she be dating and not tell me? Not that I wouldn’t want her to be happy, to find a partner. It’s just that she’s never dated anyone. Not since my dad left.
“Fuckin’ A! Who the hell is Tony?” I grumble on my way from my room to the little kitchen fridge and grab a beer before sitting on one of the recliners.
“Tony. Isn’t that our lawn guy?” Sean glances up from his phone.
“She better not be fucking the yard guy!”
“Dude.” Sean laughs. “What are you talking about?”
“My mom. She seemed distracted when I called, and then I heard some guy named Tony. Like I’m seriously gonna be pissed if I find out our gardener has weaseled himself inside our home.” I set my feet up on one of the other chairs and take a gulp of my beer but it doesn’t even come close to dulling the headache I feel coming on.
Austin comes over to the table and shakes his head. “Dude, you’re thinking of this all wrong. Free landscaping for life!”
“Fuck you!” I shout at him.
“Has the thought crossed your mind that maybe your mom was having work done to the yard? She always does big project shit to stay busy while we’re gone.” Sean leans forward in his seat, elbows resting on his knees.
“You’re right. I’m being paranoid.” I finish my beer and set the empty on the floor.
“Besides, your mom is a pretty cool lady. She can take care of herself. If my dad were single, I’d hook them up. Then we could be brothers.” Sean winks.
I grab a pillow from the chair next to me and chuck it at him. “Shut up. Keep your married dad away from my mom.”
“But seriously, Trent. You want her to be happy, right? Let her live her life. Let her find love. She deserves that.”
Damn, isn’t that the truth. She deserves that and more. “Why are you always right? It’s so annoying.”
“You love me, baby.” Sean laughs and I join in.
“What about me? I’m right, too. Sometimes.” Austin pipes in from behind the kitchen counter, which only causes Sean and I to laugh harder.
“You haven’t been right since the day I met you.” My insult only results in a series of others and before I know it we’re rolling in to our next stop. We’re all laughing so damn hard we wake up Iz and he stumbles out of bed to shoot the shit. My face hurts from smiling by the time we step off the bus to play in good ol’ Tulsa, Oklahoma.