ZACH PULLS UP to a large two-story Mediterranean. It’s not as big as Brad’s, but it’s not small. “This is your house?”
“Yeah.” He smiles, pressing a button to open the garage before opening his door and climbing out.
“I always wondered what your house looked like.”
“I’ll give you a tour another time. I need food.” He shuts the driver’s door and opens the back. “Come on, Buddy.” Zach lifts Buddy out of the backseat and sets him on the ground. “I’ll be right back.” He jogs into the garage and Buddy runs after him.
A second later, a white BMW rolls past the Jeep in the driveway and pulls in the garage. Obviously, they’re Zach’s parents. An older version of Zach gets out of the driver’s side and eyes me curiously, as Zach’s mother—the infamous Elizabeth Easton—a petite woman with long brown hair, climbs out of the passenger side and joins his father at the back of the car. Zach’s father murmurs something to his mother before both look in my direction.
“Who are you?” his mother asks loudly. I can tell by her tone that she knows exactly who I am.
Okay, I’ll play along.
Opening the passenger door, I step out and walk toward them. This is awkward as hell for so many reasons. The main one being that they hate my mother. “I’m Jayla.” I hold out my hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Mrs. Easton.”
Ignoring my hand, she looks me up and down, rolls her eyes before she turns and walks inside.
Okay, then.
Zach’s dad shakes his head as he watches his wife walk away, then turns to me with a kind smile. Holding his hand out, he says, “I’m sorry about that. Apparently, she forgot to take her happy pills today.” He chuckles awkwardly. “I’m joking. Kind of. I’m Michael Easton, but you can call me Mike.”
“My mom wasn’t kidding. Zach looks just like you.”
He chuckles. “I could say the same to you. I feel like I’m looking at Emerson twenty years ago. It’s nice to finally meet you. So, how do you like it here so far? You settling in okay at school?”
“So far, so good. I’ve made a few friends and I’m really happy to see Zach again.”
Mike nods knowingly. “Yeah. He’s pretty crazy about you.”
THE DOOR LEADING into the house from the garage slams as I stand at the sink, filling up Buddy’s water bowl. My mom storms into the kitchen with her face twisted in irritation.
I frown. “What?”
“That was fast,” she says, slamming her purse down on the counter.
“What are you talking about?”
“I’m talking about the girl in my driveway.”
If she wasn’t my mom I’d tell her to fuck off and mind her own business, but she is my mom, so I say, “I’m sorry if it bothers you, but she’s not Emerson.” I move around her to set down Buddy’s water bowl.
“Why her, Zach?” She throws her arms out. Now she’s being dramatic. “Out of all the girls in this city, why her?”
“Because I love her,” I argue before heading for the door.
“You don’t even know her!”
I turn to face her. “What are you talking about? I’ve known her since I was six fucking years old.”
“Watch your mouth, Zach.”
I take a deep calming breath. “I’m eighteen. You can’t tell me who I can and can’t love. You said you wanted me to be happy. Well, she makes me happy. And if you don’t want to know her, then it’s your loss. But I’m not going to stop being with her, so get over it. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m taking my girlfriend to lunch.” I don’t wait for a reply before I jerk open the door and walk out.
“HEY, DAD,” ZACH says, coming out of the garage looking a little more than pissed. He shoots his dad a look and I know it’s because his mom must’ve said something about me.
“Hey, son,” Mike says. “Jayla was just telling me you guys took Buddy to the beach.”
Zach looks over at me and smirks. “Yeah. Did she tell you she changed his name?”
My eyes go as big as saucers. Don’t you frickin’ dare, Zach. “Zach—”
“Oh?” Mike looks down at me and I give him a polite smile.
“He’s kidding,” I say with an uncomfortable laugh.
Zach laughs. “Jay thinks the name Buddy is dull and boring—”
“Oh, my God, Zach, shut up.” I swat at him, but he dodges my hand.
Mike plays along. “What’s wrong with Buddy? Logan named him.”
“Nothing. It’s a cute name. Buddy is a sweet dog. It fits him perfectly,” I rush out.
“So, she changed his name to Sir Licks-his-dick-a-lot.”
I bury my face in my hands, mortified as Mike guffaws and Zach joins in.
“That’s a mouthful,” Mike says with a laugh. “I’ll be sure to pass that on to Logan.”
“Tell him Sparkles says hello,” Zach adds and I backhand him in the stomach.
“YOUR MOM SEEMS… nice,” I say before taking a bite of my sandwich. Zach and I are having lunch at this little bistro tucked between a clothing boutique and the Starbucks. Above them are loft apartments. I like this area. It’s cozy.
Zach lowers his sandwich and his mouth forms a straight line. “What did she say to you?”
“Nothing. I think that was her being nice.” I shrug. “I wasn’t sure what I expected the first time I met your parents. I know they hate my mom.”
“My dad doesn’t,” he offers. “I’m sorry if my mom was rude to you. She’ll get over it.”
I don’t remember my mom ever saying she hated Elizabeth. “Did you ask your mom why she hates mine?”
He nods. “Yeah, but she wouldn’t tell me. My dad said it’s between them and to leave it alone. Honestly, Jay, I don’t give a shit anymore. It’s their problem.”
“I agree. I’m not my mom, so if she doesn’t want to know me and my awesomeness, it’s her loss.”
Zach grins. “You are pretty awesome.”
After lunch, Zach drops me off at home and tells me he’ll be back later to pick me up for our date.
I FIND MOM inside her walk-in closet, digging through her clothes. Her closet is set up similar to mine, except for the two additional rooms I have for my shoes and bags. The other I use for storage and my luggage. I plop down on her gray tufted velvet sofa and prop my feet on the ottoman.
“Hey,” she says. “How was your day with Zach?” I decided now isn’t the time to tell her about my first face to face with Elizabeth Easton. Mom looks over at me and frowns. I stiffen.
Did he leave marks on me? “What?”
“Your face looks a little sunburned. Did you not wear sunscreen?”
I shrug. “I forgot.”
“Jay, you have to wear sunscreen when you’re out in the sun. I’m serious.”
“Okay, calm down, woman. What are you wearing to your dinner tonight?”
She sighs, dropping her shoulders. “I have no idea.” She’s so cute. It’s like she’s going out on her first date or something. I shudder at the thought. So not going there.
I wave her off. “Pick out a few outfits and try them on. I’ll tell you which one looks the best.”
“Okay.” She turns and disappears down one of the aisles. A moment later, I hear the hangers gliding across the rails.
I pull out my phone to check my messages while I wait for Mom to try on her outfit. There’s a text from Evangeline. I miss you, Va-jay-jay.
I snort and text her back. Miss you too, Weenie. When will u b back?
My mom walks out wearing a pair of boyfriend jeans rolled up at the bottom with a cream-colored top that’s open in the back and brown, open-toed ankle boots.
The top? Yes.
The boots? Yes.
The jeans? Fuck, no.
I shake my head and she looks down at her outfit. “What’s wrong with it?”
“It’s the jeans. I don’t like those jeans on you. They’re too baggy in the front.” I know how boyfriend jeans are supposed to fit. I’m not the only one who lost weight after my dad passed.
“They’re supposed to be baggy. They’re boyfriend jeans.”
“More like ‘your boyfriend’s jeans.’ Are you smuggling a wiener in there, woman?” I snort. “They should be called ‘boyfriend-repellant jeans.’”
My mom bends over, holding her side, and laughs her ass off.
I’m on a roll. “I think it’s time to break up with the boyfriend jeans and find something that fits your body.” She has a kick-ass body for a woman nearing forty.
“All right. Fine.” She turns and disappears down the same aisle.
My phone vibrates on my lap and I lift it to see a reply from Evangeline. A few weeks.
I can’t wait to see you. I miss my Weenie. BTW I spent the day with Zach.
What?! And you’re just now telling me, you bitch! Lol
Details later. With Mom right now.
Ur killing me. Okay. Fine. TTYL xoxo
Mom’s phone starts ringing on the ottoman and I lean over to see who it is. “Cam’s calling. Want me to answer it?”
“Yeah,” she calls out from somewhere.
“Cameron,” I sing into the phone.
Cam is silent for a beat before he says, “Jayla?”
“Hi, Cam. Mom’s getting dressed for her party.”
“What party?”
“Some dinner party some of her old friends are throwing for her at Oceanside Grill.”
“Oh.”
“Hey, I was at your house today with Zach. We went to the beach. And while I think your house is beautiful, it looks like a squatter has taken up residence.”
Cam barks out a laugh. “It’s not that bad. It has everything I need.”
“Your godmother is a decorator. Why haven’t you let her go to town in there? She did a fantastic job on our house.” I wave my hand around even though he can’t see me.
“I haven’t had time to think about it.”
Mom walks out wearing a pair of skinny jeans with the same top and ankle boots. I let out a whistle. “Damn, woman. If I weren’t your daughter, or a female, and was into the whole cougar thing, I’d totally hit on you.” I laugh, prompting Cam to laugh on the other end of the line.
She smiles. “So, this outfit is a yes?”
“It’s a hell, yes.” I give her a thumbs-up. “Talk to you later, Cam. Here’s Mom.” I hold out the phone to her. “I need to get in the shower and get ready. Zach will be here soon to pick me up.”