Page 31

“Tell me more about your mom,” Bear says, adjusting the vents in the car.

We’re about halfway through the drive to my mom’s house. Usually, I’d ride the bus with the rest of the guys and have her pick me up from the hotel we’d stay at in town, but I didn’t want Bear to drive by herself. Especially not this late and right after she finished a shift at work.

A few days ago, I admitted that the meet this weekend is in my hometown, and if she decides to come, we’d stay at my mom’s house.

And yes, I may have done it after giving her two orgasms, so she’d be more open to the idea.

Turns out, I was right. She was okay with it until the following day when she started questioning whether it was a good idea. It was too soon, according to her. But after reassuring her that no, we weren’t moving too fast, and yes, my mom would be happy to have her stay over, she conceded.

She doesn’t know that I’m so down with her meeting my mom because she’s the only girl I plan on bringing home—not that I’ll tell a soul about that until the time is right.

“My mom is the hardest-working person I know,” I tell her, keeping my eyes trained on the long stretch of highway ahead. “She got pregnant in her senior year of high school, and when she told my so-called dad, he wanted nothing to do with her or me.”

My molars clamp down tightly, and I force myself to relax. I always get pissed thinking about him, which is why I rarely do. Not because he walked away but because he left my mom to deal with everything alone.

“She put herself through community college and earned a nursing degree. A few years later, she went back to school and became a nurse practitioner—all while being a single mom,” I add, feeling proud.

I never saw it as a kid, but I realize how much she sacrificed now that I'm older. Those early morning swim practices she drove me to, cheering me on at every meet, even after a twelve-hour graveyard shift. I’m where I am today because of her, not despite growing up without a father.

“Wow… that’s amazing,” Bear says. “You had no family around growing up?”

“Only my grandparents, but they were older.” Both retired, and neither had the energy to care for a baby or chase after a toddler. “They both passed away by the time I was eight, and it’s been the two of us ever since.”

I glance at Bear, who’s wearing a sad smile.

“I’m sorry,” she says.

Keeping my attention on the road, I pick up the hand closest to mine and gently kiss her knuckles. Her gaze burns into the side of my face, but when I give her a sideways glance, she averts her eyes and fiddles with one of the gold rings on her finger.

“I can hear you think, so just ask your question.” I chuckle, merging onto the exit ramp that will take us straight into the town I grew up in.

She huffs. “Fine, but don’t feel like you need to answer.”

“Deal.”

“Did you miss having a dad around?”

“No,” I say, without hesitation or thought. “Everything my mom did was to give me a good life. And that included letting him go when he made it clear he wasn’t interested in raising a kid.”

It’s hard to have feelings toward a man I’ve never met. Sure, growing up, it sucked sometimes, but the void some people feel from not having a second parent never bothered me. Not when my mom was enough to fill the role of two people.

“I feel sad for him. He’s missing out on knowing what an amazing guy you are,” she says softly, and my fucking chest squeezes tight.

Not because he’s missing out but because she thinks I’m amazing.

“I probably wouldn’t have turned out half as great if he was around.”

She gives me a long look.

“What? It’s the truth.” I laugh, needing to see some of the shine back in her eyes that dimmed from the heavy conversation.

Her lips twitch, and finally, I get the smile that makes me feel lighter.

***

We’re about ten minutes from our destination, and Bear’s been nibbling her lip for the last five minutes. I know she’s nervous. I can see it in her tics. She can’t sit still in her seat and switches from glancing out the window to following the little arrow on the monitor directing us.

“You know my mom’s going to love you, right?” I say, trying to ease some of her nerves.

“Who did you say you were bringing with you this weekend?” Bear blurts out, then drops her head back against the headrest with a groan.

Ah . That’s what she’s worried about. We haven’t discussed labels. She’s always been mine, ever since the first day.

The only thing that’s changed is that now she knows it, too. But if she needs me to confirm it, I will.

“I told her I was bringing my girlfriend.” My mom has heard plenty about Bear, so hearing we made it official wasn’t surprising.

I wish I could see Bear’s expression, but there are too many cars on the road to risk it. Precious cargo and all.

“Huh, we’re really doing this whole girlfriend-boyfriend thing then?”

I try to gauge her tone, but it isn’t easy to concentrate on her voice when the GPS is telling me to turn here and make a left there. I should have switched it off a while back but kept it going for convenience’s sake.

“I thought we’ve been doing it this whole week already?”

And it’s been one of the best weeks of my life.

Bear’s voice is muffled as she bends to grab her purse off the floor. “Yes, but saying it out loud makes it even more real.”

My ears strain to determine if she sounds completely terrified or elated about this conversation.

When a familiar brick house comes into view, I pull into the driveway like I’ve done hundreds of times before.

After switching off the car, I turn to face her. Our eyes connect in the dim light.

“You’re not getting cold feet on me, are you, Teddy Bear?” The only sound I hear is my heart pounding as I wait for her answer.

After everything she confessed last weekend, I can’t blame her for being hesitant about starting something new. Even if the thought of Bear walking away wrecks me.

God, the way I want to punch that asshole for what he did to her. For making her feel so unworthy. No one, especially not Bear, deserves that.

And I’ll make sure she never feels like she’s not enough for anyone. Ever again.

“No cold feet.” She says, and I can finally release the breath I’ve been holding. “I like it when you call me your girlfriend.”

Her smile is wide, and I’m so fucking relieved that all I can do is lean over the console and kiss her. I try to sneak in some tongue, but she pulls back with a laugh, smacking me playfully on the chest.

“Nice try, Whiskey Eyes. Let’s go meet your mom.”

She hops out of the car, torturing me with a view of her ass in the moonlight. With a smile, I shake my head and follow.

“Hey, Ma, we’re here,” I call out from the front door.

A few seconds pass before my mom rounds the corner with a huge smile and open arms.

I step into her embrace, breathing in her familiar scent.

Damn, there really is a reason they say there’s no place like home.

“I’ve missed my baby boy.”

“Missed you too, Ma,” I say gruffly as she squeezes the life out of me.

She gives me one last squeeze before finally stepping back. Her eyes find Bear standing behind me, and I swear her smile gets even bigger.

“Bear, it’s so lovely to meet you.” My mom embraces Bear like she’s known her forever.

Based on how much she already knows about her, courtesy of our phone conversations, she isn’t exactly a stranger in my mom’s eyes.

“Thank you for letting me stay this weekend, Sophia.”

Bear’s eyes drift briefly to me, then back to my mom. On the drive over, I told her my mom prefers being called by her first name. Being referred to as Missus anything makes her feel old. Her words, not mine.

“Of course! I’m excited to have another girl around.”

“Jeez, thanks, Ma. You sure know how to make your only child feel loved,” I grumble.

Bear laughs, and despite it being at my expense, I’m glad to see her shoulders relax as some of the nervous tension disappears.

“Oh, please. You know I love you.” She pats my shoulder and walks us to the stairs. “I wish we could catch up, but I know it’s late, and we have to be up early tomorrow.”

She’s right. Meets are typically an all-day thing, sometimes even spanning across multiple days.

“We’ve got tomorrow night to talk,” I remind her. “You still making my favorite for dinner?”

“Yes, I bought the good steaks for you. I hope you’re fine with steak and veggies?” Ma asks, directing the question at Bear.

“Yes, I’m excited to try it. Levi told me it’s one of his favorite dishes and that you make it the best.” Bear smiles, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

“You’ll need to come visit more often. Now that Levi’s away, food lasts longer around here.”

Everyone laughs because my never-ending appetite is no secret. I grab our overnight bags from the floor and lead us up the stairs.

“Bear, I’ve set you up in Levi’s room. And Levi, the pull-out couch in the study is ready for you,” my mom says from behind me.

I stop outside my old bedroom. “Ma, seriously? The pull-out couch?”

She gives me her signature mom look. The one that says, "Don’t fight me on this. You won’t win."

“I know you’re all grown up now, but my house, my rules, remember?”

Next to her, Bear covers her mouth with her hand to hide a smile.

“Fine. Pull-out couch it is,” I mumble.

“Thank you for getting everything ready for us,” Bear says to my mom, who beams at her like a long-lost daughter. It’s clear she’s already won her over.

“You’re welcome. Get a good night’s rest, you two. I’m going to lock up and turn in for the night.” She hugs us both one last time before heading downstairs.

I drop Bear’s bag on the bed as she toes off her shoes.

“Your mom is great.”

“Told you there was nothing to worry about,” I say, grabbing her around the waist and pulling her to me.

“Levi,” she mumbles, eyes darting to the open door.

“Just a goodnight kiss, promise.”

I walk her backward to a wall hidden from view of the door before pushing her up against it and covering my mouth with hers. The kiss quickly grows deeper as I trail my hands under her shirt, earning a soft, sweet moan from her.

Fuck, I love how responsive she is to my touch.

Before my fingers can graze her bra, Bear’s palms push firmly against my chest, forcing me to back up.

Straightening her shirt, she steps around me, giving me a stern look.

With her puffy lips and big blue eyes, she’s too adorable to take seriously.

“Okay, Mr. Can’t-Keep-His-Hands-to-Himself. Go before I make a bad impression.” She whispers, pointing to the door.

“All right, I’m going.” I chuckle, adjusting myself.

It’s cute how hard she’s trying with my mom when just being herself is enough.

“Goodnight, Levi.”

“Sweet dreams, Teddy Bear.”

I kiss her forehead, then head across to the study for a date with the damn pull-out couch.