Cowboy Up (Lucas Brothers)

I also know that I can’t let it get to me. I can’t change the past. I can only go forward. That’s become a mantra I must repeat daily. If I let Meadow see the anger it will push her farther away. I can’t let that happen. I’ll just have to prove she’s wrong. It’s that simple.

And that complicated.

“I’ll be out in a second,” Meadow murmurs.

She expects me to leave. Maybe I should, but I can’t make myself do it. Instead, I find myself walking over to her. I hear the audible sound of inhaling as I bend down and kiss her forehead.

“Hey, Miss Leddie,” I say as I lift away, forcing myself not to get lost in Meadow’s eyes.

“Howdy, Blue. It’s good to see you. How are Miffy and Seymour doing?”

“They’re thorns in my side. You and Mom played me well.”

Leddie laughs, but has the good grace to blush, because she knows what I’m saying is true.

“You’ll give them a good home. I hear you brought the boys pizza tonight.”

“That I did. They’re in there munching down as we speak. I also brought the three of us spaghetti with extra garlic sticks. Are you hungry?”

“Suddenly, I’m famished.”

“Sounds good. Let’s get you into this motorized buggy and go dig in, shall we?”

“You got it.”

“That was easy,” Meadow says, and she sounds pissed off.

Leddie looks up at her daughter and laughs. “I’m not about to tell a good-lookin’ cowboy no, Meddie, baby.”

Meadow rolls her eyes, looking unimpressed. I hold the chair steady and once Leddie gets in, I lean down. “Maybe you could teach your daughter to do that. She seems to tell me no often. I think she’s unimpressed with my looks,” I respond—making sure I’m loud enough so Meadow can hear me without even trying.

We make it into the kitchen that’s also open to the living area. The boys are eating and laughing in there, and I smile because it reminds me of the way Mom’s house used to be when we were growing up. Miss Leddie’s house is nice enough, but it really needs some TLC. It’s too much for either her or Meadow to take care of. I reach into the to-go bags and start taking out the hot aluminum containers of spaghetti. Meadow is at the fridge getting drinks out. She looks over her shoulder at me, and I can see the nervousness on her face. There’s a wariness in her eyes, and I know that’s to be expected. Hell, I’m on edge, too. I don’t know if this is going to work. I just know I have to try.

“Do you want soda or tea?” she asks.

“Is that the same peach sweet tea you made when we were in high school?” I ask, hoping I’m right. Nobody makes sweet tea like Meadow.

“You remember it?” she laughs.

“Honey, I used to dream about it.”

“I’ll take that as a yes,” she laughs, getting it out of the fridge.

“That recipe belonged to my great grandmother. I taught it to Meddie, but she added her own spin on it and made it even better,” her mom brags.

“Hers is definitely the best I’ve ever tasted,” I respond, looking over at Meadow and winking. I can tell by the blush on her cheeks she’s picked up on my play on words. Damn. This is what it feels like to be content…not quite happy but more at peace than I’ve been in fucking years. I have a feeling that happy will only come when I have Meadow locked down.

If that ever happens.

“Did you really know my mom in high school?” Adam says, running over to the bar where we are standing.

“Yeah, I really did. She was the prettiest girl in the whole school,” I tell him. I’m mostly understating the truth. Meadow is the prettiest girl I’ve seen anywhere. She’s always reminded me of that old movie Mom watched, Splendor in the Grass. I have no fucking clue what the movie is about, but the word splendor always reminded me of Meadow. Her beauty has nothing to do with her looks; it comes from the inside, from her spirit. Although, I’m a man, and I’d be stupid if I didn’t acknowledge that the outside of Meadow is fucking spectacular, too.

“She’s still the prettiest mom. Coach Davis asked her out, and he only dates the really hot girls,” Adam replies. My gaze moves up to Meadow who looks uncomfortable.

“Adam, stop,” she chastises.

“What? It’s the truth. He’s even dated Tommy’s mom.”

“Yeah, they dated for a month. Coach D tries to date all the hot moms. My mom said he was an asshole, just looking to get laid,” Tommy yells from the living room.

Me and Leddie laugh. Meadow just hangs her head down. “Those aren’t nice words, Tommy. You just mean he’s a jerk, Tommy,” she corrects, saying it loud enough for Tommy to hear.