“And, I want to get better, Ave.”
“Glad to hear that,” she whispered.
“I don’t want to keep you. I know you’re out having fun. I just wanted to share that.”
“I’m glad you did,” she said.
He hated the distance between them. It’s necessary. When you get your shit together, you can fix it. “I’ll talk to you soon, okay?”
“Yep. Bye, En.”
“Bye, Ave,” he said, shocked by the desire to do anything but hang up. Whoever said you never knew what you had until it was gone had been a very wise man indeed. A few weeks ago, he would’ve buried himself in pussy, but the thought of any body part that didn’t belong to Aibhlinn had him limp dicked. Not that he wanted to go back. This time was about bettering himself. In a fucked up way, Aibhlinn had given him something to live up to. It was the kick in the ass he needed to get his shit in gear.
His phone rang. He smiled at the name on the screen. “Hey, Mom.”
“Enzo, how are you?” she asked.
“I’m good, how are you?”
“I’m good. I was hoping you could come over for dinner tonight. I feel like I haven’t really talked to you in a while,” she said.
He smirked. That was code speak for I want to grill you. “Mom, I’d be happy to come over for dinner. But you can just ask me.”
“What do you mean, dear?” she asked, feigning surprise.
“It’s not going to work on me. I’m the oldest, I know how you work.”
She laughed. “Okay, did you make an appointment?”
“I did.”
“Praise, Jesus,” she exclaimed.
He’d had counseling and seen a doctor as a child, and been given the thumbs up and pat on the back for working through his major issues, but his mother was always for tune-ups. Issues had a way of creeping up on you, and resurfacing once you thought you’d put them to bed for good. Some of the effects of life never left, they were merely managed. “Tell me how you really feel, Mom,” he said sarcastically.
“I’m sorry. I can’t help it. You’ve seemed sad recently. Maybe this will help?”
“I sure hope so,” he replied honestly.
“I haven’t seen Aibhlinn around lately. Is everything okay?”
“Oh yeah, her mother hired a new guy, Keir, who’s from Ireland. She’s been showing him around.”
“Oh. Is he a family friend?”
“His mother was to Ms. Leahy.”
“Ahh, that’s nice. I imagine it’d be hard to come to a new place where you knew no one.”
Don’t take his side, Mom, I think he’s trying to steal Ave. “I think Aibhlinn feels the same way.”
“So she’s spending a lot of time with him, then?” she asked, sounding disappointed.
I have no idea. “Yeah, I think so,” he said.
“Do you think there’s a love match there?” her mother asked.
He growled. “I don’t know, Mother.”