another of their crafts taking up the space. Another reason why they should all move to Wayland Estate.
I shut down that line of thought pretty quickly. I’m hungry, and I don’t want to jeopardize my chance at breakfast by bringing up my new real estate purchase. The concern that my mom is still mad at me has me sitting in the car for a few extra moments.
“Nut up, King, and go face your mom.” I put on my game face and make my way to the front door.
For a moment, I don’t know if I should knock or not. But that’s ridiculous. She’s still my mom. I slide my key into the door and let myself in. The deliciousness of bacon and coffee hits my nose, and I consider begging her to forgive me.
A grin slides across my face because she’s clearly expecting me. I should’ve known she wouldn’t stay mad at me. She’s always said that I’m her one and only. Warm honey surrounds my heart at the memory of her crooning that to me when I was little and upset. It’s always been the two of us against the world. I inhale the delicious scents of breakfast, and the tightness in my chest unspools. My mom’s already forgiven me.
“Mornin’.”
I jerk my head to the right and see Duke sprawled in the big leather recliner where I usually sit when I stay at my mom’s. His hair’s a mess, and he’s wearing my robe, a pair of slippers, and eating a bowl of cereal.
In. My. Chair.
“What the hell, man?”
“I came by to see your mom yesterday, and she insisted I stay here.” He points down the hall with his spoon. “She said she had an extra room.” He pops a spoonful of cereal in his mouth and chews while he grins at me.
I’ve never wanted to hit someone as bad as I want to knock that stupid smirk off his face. “You’re sleeping in my bed?”
“Yep.” Still with the infuriating grin.
Nan comes into the room carrying a cup of coffee and hands it to my ex-best friend. “Can I get you anything else, Duke, darlin’?”
“I’m good, Nan. Thank you.” He points his spoon at her. “You should rest up. Don’t think I didn’t hear you and Joe last night.”
My grandmother flushes red as a tomato and giggles, while Joe, who’s sitting on the sofa, chokes on his coffee.
Duke winks at the old man. “You alright there, Joe? You old dog.”
Joe’s wheezing laughter fills the room. “You got that right.” At the same time Nan says, “Boy, you are so bad.”
Neither one of them acknowledges my presence. “Hello. I’m standing right here.”
“Oh, hello, Cash. How are you this morning?” Nan’s loving expression would soothe the insult I’ve walked into, if she wasn’t also draping an afghan over Duke’s legs.
I ignore her question and address the buffoon in the recliner. “You’re in my chair.”
“Am I?” Duke shovels another spoonful of cereal between his amused lips. I recognize the cranberry oat mixture. It’s the organic cereal that my mom orders especially for me.
I look around in case this is some colossal practical joke. “I’m tellin’ my mom.”
“Dude, she knows I’m here. Did you miss the part where she insisted I stay?”
His words barely register through the hurt and anger buzzing in my brain. My mom kicked me out, then let Duke stay in my bed … wear my robe … eat my cereal. The delectable breakfast I smell cooking is for him, not me.
I march to the kitchen. “Mom!”
She flips a pancake then turns to give me her attention. “What?”
I jab my finger in the direction of the living room.
Her focus goes back to the pancakes. “Use your words, Cash.”
Oh, my God, she’s actually baiting me. “He’s eating my cereal!” I pace away from her, then come back to her side. “You let him stay here, and you kicked me out? That’s low, Mom. Really low. I know you’re mad at me, but I’m your son.”
She doesn’t say anything for a long moment. But I can see the guilt swimming in her eyes. She did this on purpose. I knew she had, but it still hurts. Finally, she points to the table. “Sit down, honey. I’ll get you some food and we’ll talk. I have bacon.”
If she thinks she can smooth things over with me with bacon, then she’s pretty smart. She knows my weakness is food. Particularly bacon.
I’m having a real dilemma here. On one hand I’m insulted that she kicked