until two weeks ago. Actually, it was Xena who called me. We talked about you, which is why I assumed you were still an item.”
“An item,” I huffed derisively.
“Why are you repeating everything I say?” she bristled. “I’m sorry if you two are in the midst of a lover’s quarrel. I didn’t know because you didn’t mention it. But she indicated you were very much in her life, and when I told her about the awards ceremony, she said she couldn’t wait to go.”
“That’s just…weird. I haven’t talked to Xena in a while, and I’m definitely not going with her to a black-tie banquet.”
“Do you have another date to bring?”
The note of challenge in her tone was fused with hope I knew too well. My mom loved me, but she also loved getting her way. And she was tenacious as hell. No doubt that played a big role in her success.
Mom had big plans to expand into Los Angeles, and she wanted me to join the firm and help conquer the lucrative Southern California market. She assured me repeatedly that I had what it took to become a top salesperson. I was competitive, hardworking, outgoing, and I could turn on the charm when I needed to. According to her, I could rule the world.
World domination sounded cool, but I sure as fuck didn’t want to do it selling houses. I wanted to be a rock star. No…a rock god.
Easy, right?
Not so much. Every step in the right direction pushed me sideways and two steps back. This business was a soul-sucking motherfucker, and I couldn’t figure out why I persisted some days. I played three instruments, I could sing, and I wasn’t afraid to leave a piece of myself onstage. In fact, I lived for it. However, none of that equated to instant success. And I knew my mother wondered when I’d give up and grow up.
Part of me understood her concern. Hell, I felt it too. I was twenty-nine. My window of opportunity was closing rapidly. If I couldn’t make something happen with Jealousy, I didn’t know what I’d do next. But real estate was off the table. I might share my mom’s ability to charm her way out of tricky situations, but I wasn’t a suit-and-tie kind of guy. She had to know that. Just like she had to know Xena was literally the last person I’d ever “date.”
“When is this thing anyway?” I asked.
“Not till after the holidays.”
“I’m going on tour in January.”
“What kind of tour?”
“A concert tour, Mom. With my band.” I sighed in exasperation. “It’s our first one. Kind of exciting.”
“That’s wonderful. Is Xena traveling with you?”
“No! Geez, I told you…” I swiped my hand across my mouth and tried again. “We’re opening for Tegan’s band, Zero.”
“Tegan? Oh, that’s wonderful! How is he?”
He’s a dick. Of course, I didn’t say it aloud. “He’s good.”
“Glad to hear that,” she said. “Listen, darling, I have to run. You call Xena and figure out if she really is your girlfriend or not. I don’t care who you bring to the event, but since I’m selling her parents’ home, I’d prefer not to be in the middle of any drama.”
“Yeah, me too,” I huffed sarcastically.
“All right. I’m off. Love you. I’ll talk to you later.”
I stared at my cell for a long moment after my mom hung up and told myself not to do anything stupid. And then I did it anyway. I scrolled for a number I should have deleted months ago and pushed Call.
“There you are! Finally. I’ve been waiting for you to call me.”
“I bet. How long have you been working on this?” I asked. “Silly question. My mom told me you contacted her two weeks ago. What exactly are you up to? ’Cause I really doubt this is about selling a house.”
“Well, that part is true. I learned from the master, Dec. Didn’t you always say that it was smart to use your connections?”
“Sure, but I never said it was smart to lie.”
“I didn’t lie.”
“So, why does my mother think you’re my girlfriend?”
“Hmm. Possibly because I told my mom that to get her off my back. Oh yeah, and so that you’d call me back.”
I shook my head. “You’re unbelievable.”
“No, I’m creative. And you’ve been perfectly evil, Dec. You must be up to no good too. Tell me all about it.”
I almost smiled at the mischievous note in her voice. Xena was a freaky chick. I didn’t know what to make of her most of the