The Player and the Single Mom

“That’s just a different version of the same thing. I want a change. Can I stay with you in Nashville for a few weeks while I look for a job up there?” She moved her rocker back and forth so fast, she hit the wall of the house behind us. “I need to get out of Louisiana, Cash. I’m so bored. I want to live in a big city, a different city.”

“You do realize I live on acreage? I’m not planted in downtown Nashville.”

“I know. But if I stay with you until I find a job, then I can get my own place.”

I mulled it over. I always wanted to help my family if I could, but I strongly suspected Faith would stay with me as long as she could maneuver it in order to save her own money. She much preferred someone else picking up the tab.

“I’ll give you four weeks,” I told her. “If you don’t have a job by then, and by job I mean actually working and collecting a paycheck, you need to sort it out on your own or come home to Porte French. What have the parents said about it?”

“I haven’t said anything to them.” She shrugged. “They’ll freak out because I’m the baby. Which is annoying. It’s not like I asked to be born last.”

“They just want the best for you.”

“That’s their line, anyway. By the way, what’s going on with you?” she asked. “Why have you spent all weekend looking like your dog died?”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I knew what she meant. I was quiet, because I was spending a lot of time thinking about Sera.

Or, you know, all my time thinking about Sera.

“You look like you’re angry about something.” Faith nudged my arm with her elbow. “Who is she? Want me to kick her ass?”

“What makes you think it’s a woman?”

“Because I know you. If it’s not a woman, what would it be? Mama and Daddy aren’t sick, you have a healthy bank account, you’re not injured or in pain, and you just renewed your pro contract for four years so your career is solid.”

I raised my eyebrows. “You’ve given this some thought.”

“Of course I have. You’re my brother. I want you to be happy.”

I took a sip of my sweet tea then figured the hell with it. I had to tell someone and I couldn't tell anyone back in Nashville because I agreed to keep it a secret. “There is a woman. She’s a single mom.”

“The plot thickens. How old is her baby?”

“Fourteen, twelve, and five.”

Faith coughed on her own tea. “What? Holy shit, I didn’t expect you to say that. How old is she?”

“Sera’s thirty-five.”

“Let me guess. Her ex is making waves.”

“No. The ex died in a car crash three years ago.”

“Then my second guess is that she wants to hook up with you but not actually be in a relationship with you.”

Unfortunately. “Yes. How did you get to be psychic?”

“I just figured an older woman, with three kids, wants to have her life compartmentalized. Responsible single mom most of the time, then with you she can let all that go. The two parts of her life aren’t going to mix well together.”

I knew she was right. That was essentially what Sera had told me. But I didn’t like it. “Why not? Why can’t they mix well together? I love kids. Hell, I love her kids. I let them come riding at my ranch and they’re cool kids.”

“You got a picture? Let me see. I need to get a better read on her.” Faith held her hand out.

That sounded a little woo-woo to me, but so far, she was making sense, so I wasn’t going to question it. I found a picture I’d taken of Sera laying on the beach, wrinkling her nose at me. She hadn’t wanted me to take the photo, so her expression, while playful, also looked exasperated. I wanted to be back in that moment right now.

I handed my phone to Faith. “We went to Mexico in February. It’s a secret from the kids and hell, everyone I know.”

“She’s pretty.” Faith zoomed in on the photo then handed me the phone back. “I’m sorry, brother. She’s not going to change her mind about this. You will remain a dirty little secret.”

I stared at my sister. “Seriously? That’s your big advice? What’s your degree in again? Ruining people’s hopes and dreams?”

“I call it like I see it. She’s practical.”

Annoyed, I decided to text Sera. “I’m going to text her. I’m going to shoot my shot. I’m tired of sitting around. I want to be with her.”

“Bad move. Just saying.” Faith sipped her tea through a straw with a loud slurp.

My brother Conway came onto the porch. He let the screen door slam with a loud bang. I heard my mother yell, “Don’t slam that door!”

He gave us a grin. “What y’all doin’?”

“Trying to talk Cash out of texting a woman and making a fool of himself.”

I ignored her and typed quickly and hit “send”. The second I sent it I regretted it. It had been impulsive and I had adhered to Sera’s no-sexting rule, so what I’d written had sounded friendly and nothing more. That wasn’t going to get me anywhere and I knew it.