My lawyer’s number shone on the screen of my phone, and my hands shook as I swiped the screen.
“Hello, this is Hannah.”
“Hi, Hannah, this is Carla. I have some good news for you.”
My free hand gripped the edge of the counter. “Is this about the settlement?”
“Yes, the parent company of the gas station has settled, and you’ve been awarded a very large sum of money. You can expect the check to arrive in two to three weeks. The CEO of the company would like to personally call you.”
“No,” I shot out. “I don’t care what he has to say. It’s done.”
My mind was a haze of fog as I listened to Carla, and I barely registered the amount when she told me.
“Hannah, did you hear me?” she asked, her voice taking on a soft tone.
“Yeah, yes . . . thank you for letting me know.”
“Call me with any questions.”
“I will—thank you. Thank you for everything.”
I killed the call and dropped into the chair in the living room. Tears cascaded down my cheeks. A flood of mixed emotions rained over me. On one hand, it was over—a large sum of money was the end of my husband and son’s existence.
Wrongful death . . . at fault . . . so very sorry . . . safety standards.
On the other hand, Luke was going to be able to go to the college of his choice—even a private one if that was what he wanted. I would never have to worry about late payments or not having enough money in the bank ever again. I could quit the diner if I wanted.
My stomach churned and my throat tightened. I ran to the bathroom, my entire lunch coming up into the toilet. Sweat dripped down my forehead and neck. After cleaning myself up and washing out my mouth, I walked upstairs, climbed into bed and tucked myself under the covers.
It took me by surprise when Wyatt told me that he had to go out of town over the weekend. He was going to his alma mater, Elliston University, to help dedicate a new building in Kate’s honor. What surprised me, even more, was how much he wished I could be there, but given the circumstances, we both knew that it just wasn’t possible. Wyatt read me the speech he was giving over the phone and I let him know it was beautiful and thoughtful.
“I know it sounds weird, but I think you and Kate would have been good friends—had you ever met.”
His words echoed in my brain as I wiped down a four top in my section. The bells over the door chimed and Rena Walker breezed through wearing a floral printed wrap dress that hugged her curves and showed off her cleavage.
“Oh hello, Hannah,” she said, placing her sunglasses on top of her head.
“Hi, Rena,” I greeted her. “How are you doing?”
“I’m just fine. Here to pick up a to-go order. The kids wanted burgers and fries tonight.”
I laughed. “Yeah, those burgers are hard to resist.”
She shifted on her heel. “Rumor has it that Coach Hamilton is going to start your Luke next Friday instead of my Brodie. Do you know anything about that?”
I shrugged. “No, Luke hasn’t said anything to me about it.”
“Well, I guess I would have thought Coach Hamilton would have said something to you seeing as y’all have been spending so much time together.”
My brows pinched together in confusion. “I don’t know what you mean.”
She cocked a brow. “Hmm, I think that you know exactly what I’m talking about.”
I felt the blush rise in my cheeks. How could she possibly know about me and Wyatt? Or was she just bluffing because she saw him at Luke’s birthday party?
“To-go order for Walker,” Sharon shouted from the register.
Saved by the bell, I guess. Rena didn’t wait for me to respond, instead she paid for her food and then walked out the door.
I spent the remainder of the weekend obsessing over my encounter with Rena at the diner. I needed some time to think about life and my possible Rena Walker problem. What if she was screwing with me?
I could play the “what if” game all day long, which did me no good.
By the time Saturday night rolled around, I had completely driven myself nuts. Luke was out with Addie at the movies, and I found myself curled up on the couch watching Friday Night Lights trying to forget about what Rena had said to me. Tim Riggins was a bonafide hottie. I didn’t feel bad since I knew that Taylor Kitsch, the actor who played him, was a year younger than me in real life.
Sunday morning I stood at the stove flipping pancakes feeling stir crazy. Ugh. Why was this bothering me so much? My phone buzzed and a message from my sister appeared on the screen.
Ryleigh: I’m checking in on you and you better tell me the reason that you haven’t returned my calls is because you finally decided to toss your panties across the room and ride Wyatt Hamilton like he was Seattle Slew.
Me: Yes, I have banged the hell out of that man.
Ryleigh: I am so proud of you. How was it?
Me: It’s been incredible.
Ryleigh: So it’s been multiple times?
Me: Yes.
Ryleigh: How are you feeling about all of it? Emotionally, I mean.
Me: Honestly, a lot better than I expected.
Me: This thing with Wyatt has taken me completely by surprise.
Ryleigh: And what exactly is this thing between the two of you?
Me: Not sure. We haven’t put a label on it. Casual Sex?
Ryleigh: Casual is good. It’s very good.
Me: Sometimes it seems too good to be true. I’m spending a fair amount of time waiting for the other shoe to drop.
Ryleigh: Stop it! You are allowed to be happy.
Me: I am working on it.
Ryleigh: When do you see him again?
Me: I don’t know, probably on Friday night when I’ll get to ogle him from the bleachers.
Ryleigh: Nice. Give Luke a hug for me. Oh, and squeeze Wyatt’s ass for me.
Me: You’re terrible.
Ryleigh: I’m going hunting . . . to find myself a hot stud.
Me: Again, you’re terrible.
Ryleigh: The last guy I fucked washed his dick in my kitchen sink after sex.
Me: What’s wrong with that? At least he had good hygiene.
Ryleigh: No. That is just plain fucking weird. The kitchen sink is for cleaning vegetables and dishes, not dicks.
Me: Fair point.
Luke appeared at the breakfast bar with a stack of textbooks and papers. “Morning,” he grumbled. His voice still hoarse from sleep.
“Morning, sunshine,” I said, plating the pancakes for him. “How was your date?”
“Good,” he said, picking up a fork. He shoveled several quick bites into his mouth before coming up for air. Luke was done eating before I sat down with my own plate and coffee. He busied himself with his homework while I ate my breakfast. I still hadn’t shared the news with him about the settlement. I didn’t want that news to affect his progress.
“So, I was thinking,” I said, grasping my coffee mug. “Over fall break, how about we get you your license?”
He stopped and stared at me. “Mom, are you serious? Don’t screw with me.”
I laughed. “Okay, first of all, language, mister. Secondly, I made an appointment for Tuesday afternoon. How does that sound?”
He jumped up and hugged me. “Yes, this is so great. Thank you, Mom.”
“You’re welcome.”
He let go of the hold he had on me. “You won’t regret this decision. I’m going to be the best driver, you’ll see. I gotta go call Brandt.” He scooped up his books and raced upstairs.
Maybe, I’ll get that “Mom of the Year” award after all.